That dark hunger bristles at the mention of Jamin's name. "You are allied with the lizards?"
"This you already knew to be true."
I grunt. "Yes."
Marwan gestures to the food.
"Please, Angelic. Eat. And then we shall discuss these intrigues."
I use the flat bread to scoop up a slice of fried desert artichoke, chewing carefully as a cover to watch the others' body language. The desert shaykh watches me with piercing dark eyes, while his son, Nusrat, father of two murdered children, appears as though he's ready to topple over. I notice he takes the token piece of bread and salt required by Halifian hospitality, and then eats nothing more.
"So tell me, lizard?" I say. "Why did you just attack my village?"
Utbah swallows his slice of desert artichoke and dabs at his mouth with a napkin be
