ading almost as quickly as it had come.

    quot;Rovigo,  involved you enoug; Alessan asked at lengt;I must admit t I  your o tell you  cabin tonigibar in to come. It o keep an ear open ravels, to quietly monitor Albericos doings and Sandres, for you and Baerd and I to meet every so often and toucalk, friend to friend. But tale is cly fear to put you in danger.”

    Rovigo nodded. quot;I t you mig. I am grateful for your concern. But Alessan, I made up my mind on time ago. I ...  expect t freedom could be found or  a price paid. You said t t mark a turning-point for all of us. If t I can o come you must tell me.quot; ated, t;One of t Alix would ech us and did she know.”

    Alessans expression ill troubled. quot;But s  kno; ;there

    , and ter tonigo endanger them?”

    quot;; Rovigo replied softly, but  ation. quot;? I  to do anyt  to actual danger, and I cannot afford to suspend my business entirely. But  will make a difference?”

    Finally understanding ts, Devin kept grimly silent. to  all,  all along.  cened and sobered, and afraid no for himself.

    t at risk by everyt, speaking of Menico. And noo understand, painfully, ty of t.

    t. In any  all. ement quite gone, Devin  time, t lay on to  face-to-face ance t road imposed bet no everyone t meet. Even friends. Even people  of Catriana in tood han he had an hour ago.

    atcting to silence, Devin focused on Alessans momentarily unguarded face and o cook a deep, slo he price of his blood.