Palace of the Damned

“Afraid I might ruin your cover?” Tanish smirked.

“Aye,” Larten admitted. He’d sent Alicia home, only telling her that he had met an old friend with whom he had much to discuss. Alicia wanted to meet Tanish Eul, but Larten had asked for some time alone with him.

“There’s no need to fear my tongue,” Tanish said. “Discretion is vital to me too. We both have secrets we wish to keep safe. I’ll say nothing of your past, Vur Horston.”

Larten thanked Tanish, then remarked on how well he seemed to be doing.

“Not bad,” Tanish sniffed, waving a hand at the beautifully decorated walls, the statues and paintings, the giant chandelier. The room was as big as the apartment where Larten and Alicia lived, and it was only one of many in the mansion, which was situated in the most fashionable part of Paris. “Of course this is just my town house. My place in the country is grander. I like an intimate setting when I come to the city.”

“It must have cost a fortune,” Larten noted. “You cannot have made such profits from gambling, surely.”

“Actually I did,” Tanish said. “But from the other side of the table. I run several casinos. There’s more to be made hosting gamblers than playing with them. Most of my profits come from drink and my pretty things, though I get a cut of all the table action too.”

Larten frowned. “What are your pretty things?”

“Women,” Tanish laughed. “We never had problems attracting young maids, did we? But others aren’t as lucky with the ladies as we were. For a price I supply the wealthier men of Paris with an introduction to companions who warmly welcome their attention.”

“Ah,” Larten sighed.

“You disapprove?” Tanish asked quietly.

“No,” Larten said. “I am merely surprised. I thought you might have gone into legitimate business. Having travelled so widely, I assumed import and export would have been more your line.”

“I rarely travel these days,” Tanish said. “No more than I have to. The world’s the same no matter where you go. Better to find a spot you can call home, then set down roots. I realised that long ago and I think you’ve come to see it too. That lady you were with tonight didn’t look as if she was going anywhere soon, and you plan to stay by her side a while, aye?”