reliable source. I will be
asking you no questions." Wait, though. And think aloud, for Sara.
"Not immediately, at least. You have been protected against
conventional questioning, even an Inquisitor's--but that means only
that you cannot be forced to speak; it does not mean you cannot speak
if you choose. Preliminaries first, however."

Those went better than she had expected. Mike was developing a good
ability to anticipate the way she intended to work on a subject, and
had been careful selecting the areas to sensitize. When she finished
her evaluation, she went to her cabinets, studying their contents.
"I'm ready to silence him. Something that won't do more than minor
damage, preferably, which leaves out surgery . . . yes, this should
do." She removed a vial, filled a syringe, and returned to her
subject. "My observer prefers that you not scream, and since I can
tell from your reactions if you should wish to confess, I am free to
oblige. Paralyzing your throat muscles should serve the purpose
nicely."

To her surprise, he didn't fight the injection. "Do you expect him to
save you somehow?"

The man shook his head, sneering.

"To give you an easy death, then?"

He shrugged.

"You believe it possible, though he avoids me and did nothing to save
you from Captain Odeon's beating."

"On the other hand," Blackfeather said through the speaker, "he could
very well be using your punishment for his own ends. He told me once
that letting a failure die under an Inquisitor's questioning was a good
preliminary to what would happen once said failure died and arrived in
Hell."

The man stiffened, mouthing Blackfeather's name.

Cortin nodded. "I see he did not tell you he sent her to us. Miss
Blackfeather is now Sealed to the Protector, and a part of His team. I
cannot offer you either, but should you repent during this part of your
punishment, I will see that you die in a state of grace."

"Go to Hell, Bitch!" the man mouthed.

"Sara, were you able to read his lips?"

"No. What was it?"

"The usual; he wished me in Hell." Cortin's attention went back to her
subject. "That is not my destination. In an attempt to keep you from
going there, however, I will provide you the closest approximation I
can manage to its torments. You will die painfully here, and continue
to suffer afterward--but as long as you live, you have the chance to
reject Shayan, make your torment a brief prelude to Heaven."