As she stumbled out from the kitchen area Babette found her and pushed something into her hand. It was a potion vial.
"Cure disease," the little girl said. "Looks like you're going to need it. Take it in the next three days or you'll end up like me."
"What if I want to end up like you?" Athene said.
Babette's face sobered. "You're serious?"
"Shouldn't I be?"
She shrugged. "I don't know, but if you're really thinking that, come to me before your time's up. I have a few stories that might make you change your mind."
"Or maybe they'll convince me I'm right. I like you, Babette, but you don't really know me."
"Nope," Babette said. "I don't know you. But I know vampires and I know three hundred years of being a little girl."
"I'm not a little girl."
Now the vampire looked disgusted. "Oh, that's right. You're an aged crone and totally prepared for eternal life and terrifying the townsfolk. I'm serious, Athene. Come to me first."
The vampire stomped off like she'd been sent early to bed. Athene immediately regretted upsetting her. She thought she'd ask Babette about her stories anyway, regardless of what she decided.
But first, there was Astrid. She sat by the edge of the pool in the middle of the sanctuary, not far from where her husband sharpened daggers, and stared up at the stained glass skull on the wall.
"I've done Nazir's jobs," Athene said. She crossed her arms to fight the chill that came over her body as Astrid's attention focussed on her. The woman seemed to truly dislike Athene, and she wasn't sure why. Sure, they'd never exactly bonded, and Athene understood that Cicero had upset the balance in the sanctuary, or whatever had passed for balance while the Night Mother had been far away and silent, but Astrid had recruited her. She'd given the ultimatum, and the invitation, and it was by her order that Athene continued to be there. Regardless of the Night Mother, she was sure that if Astrid changed her mind at least half, possibly all, of the other assassins would show Athene the door in a violent manner. Maybe Veezara would have her back, but then maybe he wouldn't.
"Good." Astrid's voice was distant. "I've been thinking and, it would be madness to ignore the Night Mother now. You should go to Volunruud, see what Motierre wants."
She picked at her shrouded armor boot.
Athene had never put on the shrouded armor, except the gloves. The rest of what she wore had served her well for months: hide armor she'd crafted and improved herself, and boots that made her footsteps nearly inaudible. When she wore a helmet it was either a hood or a scaled piece she'd found that helped her archery by better focussing her sight. She didn't know if Astrid ever left the sanctuary, but if she did, how did she blend into the cities? Did she wear a cloak? Had she followed Athene to see how the newest recruit fared, invisible beneath monk's robes or a mage's hood?
Now that was a paranoid thought.
Athene sat down at the pool next to Astrid. She looked around, but apart from Arnbjorn the other assassins were in some other room or out on jobs.
"About that," she said. "I already did."
Astrid's eyes flashed, and for the first time since she woke in the abandoned shack Athene wondered if she'd made a truly terrible mistake ever putting her life in her hands.
"Excuse me?"
"I went to Volunruud and talked to Motierre. He gave me these." She dug into her pack and found the amulet and the letter. Tried to smooth out the broken seal and she handed them over, but of course it was obvious she'd read it. At least she hadn't pawned the necklace. She thought about following up by saying she'd just needed to know, but decided to leave it. If Astrid required more, if she decided to murder Athene right then, she'd brought it on herself.
But of course she'd fight for her life.
She left one hand near her blade and waited for Astrid's reaction.
"Oh. Oh, my." Astrid was reading the note, fondling the amulet on her knee. "This is... this is amazing. But what is this?" She held up the necklace. "Take it to the thieves guild. Devin Mallory knows us. He'll tell you what it's worth."
Had she just not noticed what Athene had said? Not realized the betrayal? Athene paused and then got her feet, unsure.
"And the rest?" she said finally.
"You read this, I presume? The rest is a masterpiece. We must do this. You, of course, as the Listener, as the one who brought me this letter..."
"Yes," Athene said quickly.
Astrid's smile was as pretty as a snake's. "You will kill Vittoria Vici at her wedding. Make it messy and make it good."