Tonight Is for Love

The street leading to the Garden of Statues lay at the heart of the nightly district of the Senatorial Ring.

That night, only Daniel, Gupta, and Sallustia dared leave the relative safety of Fort Tinuso — if a den of outlaws could be called safe — to venture into the city. The memory of Madame Umbra’s ritual sacrifice and the life-and-death battle against Vega was still sharp in their minds.

Thanatos had not recovered, and Grace ordered Lais to keep an eye on him. Reluctantly, she obeyed. At least the magus did not complain about the orders, as Sallustia used to do before their talk in the carriage. The mercenary limited herself to grimaces.

In that district, thaumaturgic lamps turned night into day, illuminating luxurious façades and the constant flow of rickshaws. The wind carried a mixed scent of carefully cultivated flowers, expensive perfumes, and spilled wine — an odd contrast to the fresh memory of blood and smoke from the Dragon Wharf.

The Garden of Statues stretched behind high walls overgrown with ivy.

Inside, the trio found a path lined with blue glass lanterns leading into a labyrinth of green corridors. Living walls of cypresses and laurels were cut by circular clearings, each guarding stone statues in varied poses — warriors mid-strike, veiled women lifting their shrouds, musicians poised as if about to draw sound from their instruments.

It was said that centuries ago the place had been the lair of a gorgon and that certain figures were preserved victims. No one had ever proved the tale, but the statues’ eyes, under the lanterns’ wavering light, seemed to follow visitors.

At the garden’s center rose the House Pusepu, a two-story building with open verandas and red silk curtains billowing in the doorways. Lute and percussion music drifted from the windows, along with feminine laughter and the muffled murmur of private conversations. Sidia Pusepu, an eccentric magus and the establishment’s owner, had turned the former cursed abode into the city’s most famous brothel.

Daniel, in his guise as Fidenzio, adjusted his coat collar before rapping the knocker. Beside him, Sallustia kept her hood low, posture far too erect for someone pretending to be a noble’s servant. Gupta, by contrast, seemed perfectly at ease, hands clasped behind his back, eyes curiously cataloging every detail like a man already familiar with the services on offer.

“We’ll get information and leave. No complications this time.”

“Of course, master de Lio” Gupta replied, tone heavy with irony. “A brothel full of drunks and courtesans. And we’re here to look for informants… what could possibly go wrong?”

Sallustia said nothing, her eyes tracking the building’s windows as if expecting an ambush at any moment.

Upon entering the grand foyer of House Pusepu, they were intercepted by two women coming out of a side room. They moved with soft laughter and unhurried steps, like sated felines, but stopped short the moment they saw Daniel.

The first had black hair falling in waves down her bare back. Bronze skin shone under the lantern light, and her green eyes held a dangerous glint. She wore a violet corset cinched at the waist and a sheer skirt that revealed her legs with every step. A necklace of golden stones hung between her breasts, drawing the eye to a generous décolletage.

Her companion was shorter, with red hair pinned into a loose bun, strands slipping over her shoulders. Her skin was pale and dusted with freckles, her dark-red lips curved in a smile full of promise. Furthermore, her dress was a deep crimson with side slits and bare shoulders.

“Fidenzio?” the dark-haired woman asked, eyeing Grace, her voice low and faintly husky.

“The very one” Gupta answered before Daniel could open his mouth, a wicked smile tucked beneath his mustache.

The two exchanged a quick glance, and the redhead seized Daniel’s arm with surprising firmness.

“You’re late for the private room” she said, already tugging him along. “Sidia will be offended if you don’t appear.”

“Private room?” Daniel tried to pull back, but the brunette had already taken his other arm.

“Come, darling. Everyone’s waiting for you.”

“Wait!” Daniel protested, casting a desperate look toward Sallustia and Gupta. — There must be some mistake.

“Unlucky you” said the poisoner, grinning ear to ear. “Or very lucky, depending on perspective.”

Sallustia scowled, arms crossed.

“This will compromise our cover” she muttered flatly.

“Only if master de Lio fails to play the part” Gupta shot back, nearly laughing.

The courtesans ignored Daniel’s attempts to explain. They led him down a corridor flanked by more statues, these depicting mythic figures: hunters chasing fantastic beasts, nymphs running among stone trees, heroes brandishing swords at monstrous serpents.

With each step, Daniel tried to speak, but the redhead tightened her grip with strength at odds with her delicate appearance.

“Ladies, I truly think you’re mistak—”

“Of course, of course” the brunette said without slowing. “Explain everything to Sidia. He adores elaborate excuses.”

Gupta and Sallustia followed at a distance, the picture of mere attendants. The alchemist chuckled every time Daniel glanced over his shoulder with a stricken expression. Sallustia, meanwhile, kept her narrowed gaze fixed on Fidenzio’s back.

They were brought to double doors carved with flowers and female figures. The redhead pushed them open, revealing a broad salon lit by dozens of suspended candelabra. Colorful cushions covered the floor; low tables displayed fruit and wine decanters; a silk curtain divided the room in two.

“In, in” said the brunette, giving Daniel a helpful shove.

He stumbled over a cushion.

“Ladies, please, I don’t—”

“Oh, he’s shy” the redhead observed, smiling at her companion.

“We like shy ones” the brunette replied, stepping dangerously close to Daniel.

Outside, Gupta leaned against the wall, laughing openly.

“This keeps getting better” he said. “I’ve never seen our young employer so flustered.”

Sallustia shot him a disapproving look but held her tongue. Inside, Daniel tried to slip away without seeming aggressive.

“Ladies, there’s been a mistake” he said, retreating as the brunette advanced. “I’m not—”

The salon doors opened again. A woman entered with unhurried steps, wrapped in a dark-blue dress sequined to catch the candlelight. Her hair was pinned in a high chignon, and a silver butterfly mask covered half her face.

“La Farfalla?” Grace asked, startled.

Her eyes swept over Daniel and the courtesans. A faint smile curved her painted mouth.

“Fidenzio Crisci de Lio” she said, voice edged with scorn. “I see you’re… occupied.”

Daniel began to speak, but La Farfalla raised a hand.

“Don’t worry. I didn’t come to kill tonight. If you’re here for Prebito’s friends, you’ve wasted your trip. I warned them already. They’re far from here.”

She turned before Daniel could answer, the dress perfectly fitted across her rounded hips as she left the room. It was notable how the assassin lost nothing in beauty to the house’s professionals; if the business of death ever stopped paying, she would hardly go unemployed.

The brunette and the redhead stepped back, as if only now realizing something was wrong.

“Crisci de Lio?” the redhead said at last. “That’s not the Fidenzio we were expecting.”

“No” Daniel replied, curt. “It is not.”

He left the salon quickly, face set, passing Gupta and Sallustia without a word.

“Someone did very well for himself” Gupta said, hurrying after him with a malicious smile. “Private room, two ladies, the works.”

“Shut up, Gupta!”

Sallustia walked in silence, a strange glint in her eyes.

They slipped out of the Garden of Statues without drawing attention, blending into a group of clients just arriving. The statues along the corridors seemed to watch them go, laughing without a sound.

Outside, the night felt colder.

“So” Gupta said, hands behind his back, voice jocular. “Shall I inform the ladies you’re free tomorrow?”

“Just do your job” Daniel shot him a look sharp enough to kill.

“Of course, of course” the alchemist answered, smiling. “But this tale will travel.”

Sallustia moved ahead without a word. Daniel noticed the set of her jaw.

Damn woman. As Gupta said, this story will travel, but what did I do wrong this time?

Daniel sighed.

The Garden of Statues faded behind them, its lights and music dwindling as the trio made their way through the streets of the Senatorial Ring.