City of Ruin - Mark Charan Newton [115]
‘No, I believe he knows little about the missing persons. I suppose I could kill him but . . .’ There was tension in her voice. ‘But I really think he’s of some use, for the moment. All the same, one of the bodies I fetched in a while ago was a soldier, which may have raised a few questions.’
She looked at him again, clearly suspecting that he was unhappy with this selection, fearing it would draw unwarranted attention.
‘It’s quite all right.’ Voland was indeed a little concerned, but didn’t want her to know that. ‘Please, go on.’
‘Well, his commander, a Night Guard from Villjamur, has asked Investigator Jeryd to investigate. I feel if I remain close to him, I can keep an eye on things. Several eyes in fact.’
A smile each, a shared joke.
‘I can also gain information of military movements and Imperial missives,’ she said, ‘if it would prove useful. If there is a war about to begin, I may know about it early. I doubt I will have such access if the investigator is dead.’
‘Is there any further news on the military front, incidentally?’ He wanted to be informed as soon as any combat began, then they might have to take their leave of the city.
‘No. The soldiers have occupied much of Port Nostalgia and Althing, so they’ll have a front line for defence of the Citadel. All those who’ve been displaced were moved to apartments further back along the Wastelands. They’re requesting citizens to fight, too, so more and more are joining up every day. Still not the street gangs, though, which worries them – they need experienced fighters. This is the sort of information I can get – so maintaining the access really is useful.’
‘Are you sure, my love, that you’re not simply looking for reasons to keep him alive?’ Voland asked. Inhaling from his cigarillo, he got up and put on his dressing gown – the one she had made him from her very own gossamer – and peeled back the curtains to gaze out at the city. A shaft of moonlight sliced across his face. He turned to face her continuing silence.
Nanzi’s expression was filled with woe. ‘He is rather endearing, I will admit. He actually wants to do good – and there are too few people within the Inquisition, too few people in this entire city, who want to put some good back into things.’ She spoke with a keenness, a fresh energy. ‘Because of who he is, he can allow me into very privileged places. Besides, I can follow his investigations closely, and I will know the instant things turn sour.’
‘All these extra soldiers pulled in means’, he announced in a measured tone, ‘that there are many more mouths to feed.’
‘You wish for me to go out again tonight? I was beginning to think that the presence of so many soldiers might make things more awkward.’
‘To obviate any risks, why not fly over to Scarhouse and Shanties, to see if there are any . . . strays like there were the other night. But that can wait; the wind is too strong tonight, and we are settled here nicely.’
‘And about Jeryd?’
‘Do not dispose of him just yet, not if he still offers us access to information. I’d much rather a chap like that is kept alive, where he can be of use to us – but I’d advise you stay very close to him, and continue to shadow what he does. That way, he’ll suspect you less . . .’ He came back into the bed.
‘I understand.’ Nanzi snuggled up against his chest, the warmth of the fire adding to another perfect moment between them. He could feel her spider-hairs bristling against his legs.
‘I love the smell of tobacco on your moustache. I feel strangely safe right here.’
Voland smiled and breathed deeply. How lucky he was to be in love with a woman like Nanzi. So caring and delicate and smart. He would do absolutely anything for her.
*
The next morning, Nanzi left him again for a day’s work with the Inquisition. Voland didn’t mind her choice of career, realizing she wanted to do her bit for the greater good. He could understand her motivation – here was a young lady who saw the bigger picture, and there was something to