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Shiandi did not answer her first question. Rather the evil, evil Adjurator was slowly unpacking one of the bags, picking thick, leather straps out of it. Then fastening them, one after another to metal rings set in the floor, each at a corner of the central altar. A tight knot, then the next strap, then the next. Making sure that each was fixed firmly to the metal rings by giving them a sharp tug. By the time she had finished with that Amelia had filled the braziers.
"This room is used for certain rites," Shiandi said, "there's a power here which you will not readily find elsewhere. And, of course, it is private, always an important trait in our line of work." She smiled coldly.
"No one can hear us down here," she said, "you can scream as loudly as you want."
She wandered around the room, touching her torch to each of the braziers, lighting them and sending a flood of warmth and light through the icy, dark room. The heat helped somewhat, but there was still a chill in this room which clung to the walls with a fervour. Shiandi bent down into the bags once more and took out a knife, placing it blade first into one of the braziers.
"Get undressed and lie down on the altar," she commanded, in a voice which brooked no argument. She had situated herself both between Amelia and the exit, but also between Amelia and the knife she had put into the fire. The braziers offered only a weak, flickering light. The torch now fastened to the wall did little better. But then perhaps there would be no reading required down here. It was in fact doubtful that any reading would be required down here at all.
Of course, Nei had told her that certain of Shiandi's apprentices disappeared without warning. Had they too left the house like this, or had they run away before they came to such an ill fated end?
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