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retraced their steps through the corridors of the temple it was clear the Coldeye could keep her peace no longer.
    ‘Guard duty?’ she said furiously, scattering a group of Arlor’s Daughters who had been unlucky enough to cross her path. ‘Guard duty? What is the Exarch thinking, allowing this? The High Abbot has his own warriors—’
    ‘Enough,’ said Kaira, glancing up and down the corridor. ‘This is not the place.’
    Samina was angry, but gritted her teeth. The pair of them remained silent as they made their way back to the chamber of arms. Once inside, Samina flung her gilded helmet at the wall where it bounced with a clang.
    ‘I’m as annoyed as you are,’ said Kaira. ‘But it is our duty.’
    ‘It is our duty to defend the temple. Not act as handmaids.’
    ‘It is a great honour, sister. That is why we were chosen.’
    This seemed to calm Samina slightly, though her annoyance was still obvious. ‘We’d better be richly rewarded for this. We should at least be allowed to take the Shieldmaidens north to aid the king. That’s all I can say.’
    ‘I’m sure it’s not,’ replied Kaira with a grin.
    There was silence for a moment, before the two of them began laughing. But, as they unbuckled their ceremonial armour, the words of the Matron Mother seemed to nag at Kaira –
be careful what you wish for
.

THREE
    I t was a sad unwanted building in the shoddier part of the city, an old disused chapel, a remnant to the Old Gods that just hadn’t got around to collapsing yet. Birds had taken to nesting in the rafters, rats under the floorboards and termites in the walls. In a city long past its best, this was one more relic of bygone days, evidence of a golden age now all but rotted and dead. It was perfect for Merrick Ryder’s needs.
    He checked his attire one last time, self-consciously adjusting collar and cuffs. Merrick was going for a particular look; as if he’d come from money but fallen on hard times. This was crucial to his act and explained the silken shirt, masterfully tailored jacket and britches, not brand new, but not moth-eaten either. Like a master angler, he could select just the right bait and present it in just the right spot. All he needed now was the old trout.
    And in she came.
    Lady Elina Humburg glanced around the chapel, eyes wide and fearful. In her fine frock and with her painted face and her glittering jewels, she was clearly unused to being in this part of the city.
    Merrick could have shown himself straight away, could have spared her the fear, but where was the fun in that? Besides, he wanted her nervous, afraid. It would make this subterfuge that much easier to pull off.
    He watched her for several moments, letting the tension build, and just when she looked as if she might flee in fright, he stepped out of the shadows.
    ‘My lady,’ he breathed, ‘I cannot thank you enough for coming.’
    She turned with a jangle of jewellery – a sound that never failed to fill Merrick with excitement – and rushed into his arms. ‘Oh, my Lord Franco, how could I ever stay away?’
    He embraced her, holding her close, making her feel safe, feel wanted. An easy act, at which he was well practised. Hells, he’d done this more than a dozen times, but Merrick Ryder was nothing if not proficient.
    ‘It’s like a dagger to my heart to think you might put yourself in danger,’ he whispered into her ear. She shuddered at the nearness of his lips and he felt her grip him all the tighter. ‘The Sultan’s spies could even now be watching us, waiting to strike.’
    ‘The danger is worth it, Lord Franco,’ she answered, gazing at him. ‘And I know there is nothing to fear when you are close.’
    He paused for a second, his lips hovering near hers, letting the expectation build. Then he kissed her. She responded vigorously; a truly passionate kiss – he had to give her that – but then Lady Elina was a passionate woman. Just a shame such passion was wrapped in a body so clearly partial