The Kingmakers(110)

The Persian woman closed her eyes, revealing the tattoo on her lids. “I was far away at the time. I only learned of Pareesa's death years after the fact. I would have done anything to see her again, but my life took a different path. I have spent my life traveling, studying, and watching.” She opened her eyes to stare at Adele.

“Watching me?” The empress's shock continued to escalate.

“Yes, from afar. Your studies have mirrored Pareesa's. You are both very much alike. Have you been able to decipher any of your mother's notes in her journal?”

“Of course; they aren't terribly complex. I'm beyond her studies now. I learned the fundamentals of geomancy months ago.”

“No, I refer to her private notes.”

“Private notes?”

Sanah nodded, and Adele wished the burqa wasn't in place so she could read the woman's features. As it was she had only the woman's mysterious eyes to guide her.

“The scribblings she placed all over the pages are your mother's secret language.” The eyes glistened. “It was our game, you see, when we were younger. We would pass small notes back and forth. As we grew older, and secrets became more precious, we used it extensively to communicate in utmost privacy.”

“Are you are a geomancer?”

“Nothing so grand. I am a poet, and a seer. Pareesa and I both entered Mamoru's school on Java at a young age. Your mother was far more adept, her studies more in-depth. Mamoru groomed her for many years until he had to admit that she was not the one. I was never a skilled geomancer, but I had other value to Mamoru, including loyalty, and he brought me up to be one of his closest advisors after Pareesa died. I was completely entranced by his message and his mission. He was a great man.” She shrugged. “Now, we have lost our focus.”

“Where is Mamoru?” Adele demanded.

“He was here in Alexandria for a time, but I don't know where he is now. I caution you that he is no longer the man I once knew. His convictions are much less clear. That is the reason I have come forward to you now. You are in danger. He believes you are no longer in your right mind. He believes that your relationship with the Greyfriar has destroyed your humanity.”

Adele gasped softly at the woman's words and quickly turned. “Captain Shirazi, leave us.”

“Your Majesty, I must remain for your safety.”

Her voice lowered to a whisper. “Please don't make me order you.”

He stiffened. “I'm afraid that is your only option.”

She scowled, although she couldn't fault the man. “Captain Shirazi, I order you to wait outside, and I absolve you of any conscience.”

“If something were to happen to you under my watch, my conscience would be inconsolable regardless.” He lifted his pistol from his holster and handed it to her.

Warming, she nodded. “I will endeavor to make sure that will never be a concern.”

“As you command, Your Majesty.” His scowl was an obvious sign of his displeasure on this matter, but with a sharp turn of his heel he departed.

When the door had closed, the empress stared hard at the Persian woman. “You will keep your voice down from this point forward. Do you understand me?”

“I do, Your Majesty.”

“Tell me why I should believe a word you've said?”

Sanah took a deep breath. “I can only pray you will. You may confine me here, if you wish. But you must hear what I have to tell you. Your future depends on it.”

Adele studied the woman, wanting to see falsehood in her. However, her intuition whispered something different. “So talk.”

“Of course. The leaders of the cabal all know the secret of Greyfriar. Mamoru told us about your dark master.” Sanah's voice softened. “However, I saw your lover at the opera. He saved you regardless of his own life. That was an act of love, not politics. I don't think you are under his sway. Instead, I see he is under yours.”

Adele's chest tightened at the thought of a kindred spirit, but then she again gripped tight her rampaging hopes. “Thank you. It's nice to know you believe me. Mamoru doesn't.”

“Those who blindly trust cannot be enlightened. Mamoru's actions of late have led me to question his agenda.”

“In what way? He hates Greyfriar. I already know that.”

“There are things you do not know.”

Adele's eyes narrowed. “Then enlighten me.”

“Mamoru has sent an assassin to remove Greyfriar from your side permanently.”

Adele rose to her feet.

“Your Majesty, please! There is much more to tell you. You must hear the rest. It pertains to your life as well.”

Slowly, Adele resumed her seat, her face a mask of desperation. “Tell me quickly.”