Viper's Kiss - Lisa Smedman [37]
Karrell yelped. She dropped a piece of parchment she'd been holding; it fluttered to the floor. It landed faceup, revealing a rendering, done in ink and charcoal, of the cathedral in Hlondeth.
Arvin stared at it. The drawing was good-really good. Maybe Karrell was an artist, after all.
That, or she'd stolen the picture.
Belatedly, Rillis reacted, yanking out his sword and stepping back to give himself room to swing it, if need be. He glanced between Arvin-who carefully stood with his hands open and away from his sides-and Karrell.
Karrell tossed her head. "I simply wanted to show you a drawing," she said. Her face was flushed-she was obviously angry that Dmetrio had not succumbed to her spell. She had to nod at the picture on the floor, since the militiaman held her arms. "A sample of my work. I also do portraits. I have drawn a number of members of noble yuan-ti houses."
Dmetrio stared at her, unblinking. "Name one." "Mezral Ch'thon, ssthaar of the Se'sehen."
Dmetrio's eyebrows rose. "You are from Tashalar?" Karrell nodded.
"Are you Se'sehen?" Dmetrio asked. He added something in a language filled with soft hisses.
"N'hacsis-no," Karrell said, shaking her head. "I speak only a little Draconic. The language is difficult for me. It requires a serpent's tongue."
"You are human?" Dmetrio asked, giving the word a derisive sneer. He flicked his fingers, and the militiaman holding Karrell released her. Rillis reacted a moment later, sheathing his sword.
Karrell gave a slight bow in Dmetrio's direction then gathered up the parchment. "It is true that I invited myself here today, but I could think of no other way to meet with you. I had hoped to do your portrait."
"And gain a healthy commission from House Extaminos, no doubt." Dmetrio gave a hiss of laughter. "Your trip to Ormpetarr was a waste of time. I'm leaving-and have no time for portraits."
Arvin raised his eyebrows. Dmetrio was leaving Ormpetarr? That was interesting. "Ambassador Extaminos," he said, wresting the conversation away from Karrell, "my letter of introduction included a request that you-"
Dmetrio's upper lip twitched, revealing just the points of his fangs, a subtle sign of irritation. "I have no time for meetings, either," he said. He thrust the letter of introduction in Arvin's direction.
Arvin caught it just before it fell. "But I was told you would introduce me to the baron," he protested. "My merchant house is counting on me to-"
"Introduce yourself," Dmetrio said curtly.
Karrell stepped forward. "Your Excellency, I-" "Show them out," Dmetrio hissed.
As they were hustled back to the street, Arvin fumed. This wasn't the way it was supposed to have gone. If Karrell hadn't butted in, he would have been talking to Dmetrio still, subtly nudging the conversation around to Glisena as he talked about his "trade mission" to Sespech. Now, in order to question Dmetrio, Arvin would have to be blunt. He'd have to reveal his real reason for coming to Ormpetarr. If Dmetrio was involved in Glisena's disappearance, he would be on his guard. Charming him would be that much more difficult-maybe even impossible.
As the wrought-iron gate clanked shut behind them, Karrell turned to Arvin. "It seems you are a merchant's agent, after all, and I have ruined your chances to-"
"Not another word," Arvin said, a quiver in his voice. He pointed down the street. "Go."
Karrell opened her mouth to say something more then thought better of it. She turned and walked up the street.
Arvin closed his eyes and sighed. Karrell had really gotten under his skin. He wished he'd never started that conversation with her in the sleigh in the first place. He'd been stupid-and had shown a pitiful lack of self-control.
When he opened his eyes, she was gone. He stared at her footprints, which were starting to fill with falling snow.
"All for the best."
Arvin turned. It had been Rillis who had spoken-he was still standing just on the other side of the wrought- iron gate. The sergeant was at the far corner of the building,