21
- 21 -
“Do you know who this man is?” Byrnia asked, jerking her head towards Leopold.
Aleph turned to look at him. “Tell me.”
“He’s a friend of Genna’s.”
Aleph raised her eyebrows. “A friend? There are too many who used to call themselves her friends. Most of them were liars.”
“He is…”
But Aleph raised a hand. “Not you. Him.”
Leopold’s throat was dry. He swallowed, but that did little to help. Nor did the bands around his wrists. He felt his arms move as he prepared to talk, but then the chains tightened, and his thoughts were held in check also.
He steadied himself and started to talk slowly.
“I am not from these parts originally. I had certain…difficulties back home, and was forced to seek refuge elsewhere. Genna was kind enough to take me in. She allowed me to stay in one
