Riddle of Fate by Tania Johansson Page B

knowledge. It felt intrusive.
    Despite its affable name, the Orange Tree had the worst reputation of all the inns in all of Arroe. Khaya only hesitated a moment, though. Soon after setting off, her feet hurried her to a near jog. She felt paranoid, looking over her shoulder every few steps. The more she tried to convince herself she was being a silly, scared, little girl, the more her stomach tightened with fear.
    She ran the last three streets and burst through the door of the inn, breath racing. The startled man behind the reception desk had clearly been sleeping. His hair was mussed and his eyes unfocused. “Has a man come here looking for me? He is about this tall,” she said, holding her hand about a foot higher than her head, “he has light brown, messy hair and a kind of hooked nose.”
    The man blinked several times before speaking. She had to keep a tight rein on her temper. “No ma’am. We haven’t had anyone in here tonight.”
    She gritted her teeth at being called ma’am. “Are you sure? He was going to be here at about midnight.”
    He shook his head, his loose jowls swinging. “As I’ve said we haven’t had anyone come in tonight.”
    Taking a deep breath, she looked to her left. Through the open door, she saw a sitting room. From where she stood, she could see the feet of a man sitting on one of the settees. She looked back at the innkeeper. “No one, you say?” She snorted and, not waiting for his reply, walked to the waiting room.
    She stopped short as she entered the room. It wasn’t Merrit. She was about to walk out when he spoke in a deep voice. “Khaya. You should sit.”
    She was rooted to the spot. Their eyes locked and she seemed unable to avert her gaze. He certainly wasn’t Merrit. He had smouldering dark eyes, a strong, square jaw and his black hair hung in short curls. “Who are you?” she asked eventually, glancing around the room. “Where is Merrit?”
    “A friend.”
    “Ha! Anyone could say that. How do I know you weren’t sent by the Company?”
    “If I wished you harm, I wouldn’t have brought you here. I could have cornered you at the bell tower.”
    She gaped. So, it must have been him that she heard, his eyes she’d felt on her. She started backing away from him.
    “Khaya, please,” he said, holding his hands up. “Hear me out. You are in danger.”
    “Who are you?” she repeated.
    “Close the door – you don’t want the innkeeper overhearing us.”
    She glanced over her shoulder to see the man leaning over the counter, trying to catch what they were saying.
    “Please,” he continued, “sit and I will explain everything.”
    She stood weighing her options before pushing the door closed and taking a seat that was both furthest away from this stranger and closest to the door. She sat on the edge of her chair, ready to bolt out at the first sign of danger. She folded her hands over her knees, her back straight and stiff. She waited for him to speak.
    “I know Merrit,” he said. “I know you were going to leave with him tonight.”
    She nodded slowly. “Where is he?”
    “I am sorry to be the one to tell you this,” he said, and her stomach tightened. “Merrit has been murdered.”
    She shook her head, her mouth gaping. “When?” She choked on this single word.
    “Some time today. I found him a short while ago.”
    “How did you know we were going to leave tonight?” Her mind reeled. If she’d only left with Merrit the previous night, he would still be alive. He was scared. He knew something was going to happen! And she made him stay. She clamped her teeth, fighting the knot in her throat.
    “As I said, I knew Merrit.”
    “You’re not an employee of the Company,” she said. “I know all the faces from the library.”
    “No. They’ve never tried to employ me.”
    For someone who was going to explain everything, he was keeping his cards pretty close to his chest. She swallowed her annoyance, forcing her face to stay blank. “The note in my