Page 16 of The Simurgh

Tyvain made an unhappy sound. ‘Not since ’e ’ad me wantin’ to throw me guts up in that room. You stayed on?’

‘I did. Weatherby did not survive it.’

Sybilla inhaled and her fingers curled against Lalassu’s cheek.

‘Farkin’ ’ell. Mr Ahari won’t be ’appy with that.’ Tyvain shook her head. ‘Did ’e find anythin’ out? Tell me that poor bastard didn’t die for nothin’.’

Everyone watched him. Including the mare, one wide eye fixed on him. He took a moment before he answered. He considered asking Tyvain to leave, and could not decide if the thought came because he did not trust her or did not wish to endanger her. Lucifer’s behaviour had him racked with doubts.

‘Silas?’ Sybilla whispered, her voice all but ruined by the fire that had almost killed her.Hadkilled her. ‘What’s wrong? Did you learn something from Weatherby?’

He swallowed, feeling himself at a crossroads of some sort. ‘I learned that I do not trust Lucifer.’

Tyvain belched behind a balled-up fist. ‘Keep talkin’.’

The Valkyrie’s frown was almost lost beneath the tightness of her skin. ‘Yes, go on.’

Silas hesitated but only a moment. ‘He learned information from Weatherby, but denied it when I enquired.’

‘’Ow do ya know? If ’e said nought, ’ow do you know there was somethin’?’ Tyvain seemed more curious than disbelieving.

Silas kicked at some hay upon the floor. ‘Because the daemon left the kitsune barely alive, and I had no choice but to end things for Weatherby. His soul held back just long enough to give me some scant information about a new church and an eye. Information Lucifer had denied.’

Tyvain muttered beneath her breath. Words a sailor would be proud to use. ‘A new church? That ain’t exactly helpful.’

‘No,’ Silas said tightly. ‘But regardless, Lucifer had no right to hide it.’

‘True, true.’ Tyvain nodded. ‘So what the ‘eck’s goin’ on with ’im, then?’

Sybilla straightened, wincing, but giving Tyvain an irritated wave when the soothsayer slid off her barrel to assist. ‘I’m all right, Ty,’ she rasped. Clearly she was not, but Tyvain took a step back, and Silas had no intention of intervening. He was well used to dealing with those who were intent on refusing all help. ‘That was all Weatherby told you? What sort of eye? Where was the new church? Does he think Tobias is there?’ She was breathless by the end of her cascade of questions.

Silas brushed at his coat, feeling unsteady, filled with fine cracks. ‘That was all Weatherby could give me. I can only assume he believes Pitch may be there. It was what Lucifer was trying to drag out of him, after all.’ Silas paused. ‘He said that Lucifer took it. I think he was referring to the memory, that’s why he was so vague with me. Could the daemon have stolen his memory?’

‘Wiped it more likely,’ Sybilla said. ‘And took what he’d learned.’

‘Why would he deny knowing anything to me?’ Silas looked back towards the house. ‘I need to find him.’

‘Reginald won’t make that easy if he don’t want ya around,’ Tyvain said with a wet sniff. ‘Look, every one of us ’ere is worried about ya. You’re near out of ya mind with worry about ya boy. Maybe ’e thinks the same as Mr Ahari.’

‘Thinks what, exactly?’

‘That you are libel to get yaself in a right feckin’ mess if ya get so much as a whiff of where Astaroth might be. Perhaps they are checkin’ things out themselves first? Reginald’s the type who can ’andle stuff on ’is own, I’d say.’

‘That’s not unreasonable, Silas.’ The angel winced, touching at her throat. And Silas’s guilt stabbed at him.

‘Should we get you back inside?’

Sybilla shook her head. There was a strange air between Silas and the Valkyrie. An obstacle of sorts. They had not had a chance for a private talk, with the angel in such desperate need of tending, and Silas being…well, exactly as they said.

‘I’d like to stay here awhile longer,’ Sybilla said, stroking Lalassu’s lowered head. ‘I can breathe easier here.’

‘Fair enough, but I’m gettin’ ya somethin’ to eat.’ Tyvain slapped her thighs. ‘I need to pee anyways, so I’ll go back in and get some ’ard-boiled eggs, or somethin’. Ya like that?’

‘I’m not hungry.’

‘Not what I asked ya. Eggs it is, then. And if ya lucky, I’ll remember to wash me ’ands before I pick ’em up.’ With a satisfied huff, Tyvain turned her attentions to Silas. ‘You want anythin’?’

‘No, thank you.’