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Cyrus shot him a look. “Oh?”

“Bad stuff, Mr Cy. Real bad stuff. Gives you a shot of energy—makes you think you can do anything.” He looked down. “Could easily give you enough strength to do this.”

“Fuck. That’s not good.” He paused. “It’s gotta cost, though, hasn’t it? Stuff like that can’t come cheap...”

“Unless someone’s gilding the hook...” Bram looked up and met Cyrus’s gaze. “Want me to ask around?”

“Yes. But be careful, Bram. Very careful. If this is indeed new, then all you’ll get is whispers for answers right now. You’ll need to whisper your questions and watch your back.”

Bram nodded. “I’ll have to get the cleanup crew out for this,” he tipped his head toward the body. “You going to the Silver Moth?”

“Yes. I need to find out if she had anyone who might need to know about this. They should be able to tell me, and also when she left and with whom. That might help as well.”

“Helluva way to start the day,” muttered Bram.

Cyrus winced. “I forgot it was morning.” He shrugged. “Oh well. I’m here. So let’s see who I can roust out of bed.”

“Bound to ruffle a few feathers,” Bram gazed at him.

“I hope so.” Once more Cyrus glanced down. “This offends me, Bram. This makes something inside me boil. If whoever did this was here right now? I’d do a damn sight more than ruffle feathers.”

“I got you, Mr C.” Bram nodded. “If he were here...” He folded one hand into a fist and punched it into the palm of the other. The sound was loud, meaty, and unmistakable.

“They don’t call you the Anvil for nothing, my friend.” Cyrus managed a small smile. “Let the cleaners know about this?” He shot a keen gaze at Bram. “Keep in touch and watch your back.”

“I will.”

Cyrus turned toward the street leading to the Velvet houses, and within ten minutes he found himself blinking as brilliant lights illuminated the elegant mansions now standing proud either side of a smoothly cobbled thoroughfare. A couple could have been mistaken for small palaces, and all were fully lit, regardless of the fact that many people would be having breakfast.

For the residents and customers of a Velvet house, be it the Gilded Lily, the Blue Lantern, the Silver Moth, or any of the others that fronted the street, it was time for pleasure.

Because no matter what form it took, pleasure always came first. The customer, it was hoped, would come directly afterwards.

*~~*~~*

Walking along an equally elegant lane, but in real sunlight, Maelin and Alla had paused in front of a large bow window.

“Now that,” said Alla firmly, “is a hat.”

Maelin tipped her head sideways, following her friend’s gaze. “Hmm. That, my friend, is an explosion in a greenhouse that ended up pinned to an overlarge sunbonnet.”

“You don’t like it?”

“I didn’t say that. I think if it were perched on top of a tastefully painted urn, it would make a delightful piece of art for a wall niche.”

“But not a hat?”

“Definitely not a hat.”

Alla sighed. “I think the sea air of Tidehold dampened your innovative spirit.”

“I’d prefer to think it raised my awareness of absurdity.”

“Oh pooh,” scoffed Alla. “If that’s the case, then you might want to have a serious think about returning, because when it comes to absurdity, Caelemar can achieve quite amazing heights.”

Maelin laughed as well. “You have a valid point there.” She looked at the window of the next salon and pointed. “However, there I see a hat that is quite delightful, so shall we take a chance and see if they have anything in the way of equally charming gowns?”

The bell on the door was sweetly musical, the air fragrant with the delicate scent of something reminiscent of the ocean at sunset, and Maelin felt right at home within two steps of the door.