"Lazar just accused me of behaving obliquely. I think it's time for you to stop speaking so obliquely as well, Tariq. Tell me what you want from me," Boaz ordered, and Maliz could hear that he had pushed the young Zar far enough.

"Do you believe that Lazar and Ana have made a mockery of you?"

"Yes."

"You have proof, not just my hearsay?"

"That is my business. Continue with your own."

Maliz had to stifle a laugh. He could barely believe how easily the Zar was falling prey to his own insecurities. "If you believe you have been cuckolded, Highness, it is irrelevant who knows. You do. That in itself demands the gravest punishment."

"That is my decision, Tariq. You have yet to say anything I don't already know."

"What if I could allow you to see Ana?"

The silence was long. "How is that possible?" Boaz finally asked.

"Magic, of course," Maliz answered mildly. "And what if I could allow you to listen in on Ana, watch her when she sees Lazar again? That way you can know for yourself how they feel about each other before you do anything rash." He was impressed with himself; he sounded so extraordinarily caring.

"Lazar and Salim are leaving us tomorrow. We are apparently within one hour's striking distance of the fortress."

This was news to Maliz. "I see. That close, eh? Then we must make a decision this night, my Zar. Time is surely against us."

"We can see her tonight?"

"We can see her immediately, my Zar-it's up to you to simply say yes."

"To what?"

"To allowing me to enter your life," Maliz said, feeling himself hold his breath in anticipation.

"I don't understand."

"For me to show you Ana, to eavesdrop on her conversation...for me to be able to show you Lazar's attack on the fortress and his rescue of your wife; for me, Zar Boaz, to give you unequivocal proof of her infidelity-which she will surely reveal upon seeing Lazar-I must enter you magically."

"Enter me?" Boaz whispered, the anger evident in the way his words came out as a growl, but Maliz heard his confusion, too.

"It's painless, Highness. We share a body but momentarily."

"Share my body," Boaz repeated, and Maliz could hear the rising confusion laced with disgust in his voice. "How so?"

"I have the power to join you, to transport you magically to wherever Ana is," Maliz lied.

Again a long silence ensued. The shock emanating from the Zar was palpable. He began to pace. "I can barely believe what I'm hearing and yet I can't imagine that you are teasing."

"Let me assure you I do not jest, Highness."

"And can we also find Pez? He was supposed to be here."

"Er, yes, I don't see why not." Maliz would agree to anything Boaz wanted in return for access to his body. He was already imagining how wonderful it was going to feel to be in charge of that young, fit, healthy physique.

"How does this occur?"

"Well, you need to give me permission. Then, with the use of the magic, I can lift your spirit and together we can travel anywhere you wish us to go. You can roam to Percheron and peek at the Galinsean warships, you can look in on your mother, you can eavesdrop on Salmeo, you could even-"

"And Lazar?"

"Well, Majesty, if you wish, you can travel alongside him tomorrow. He would be none the wiser, for you would be invisible," Maliz lied, impressed by how convincing he sounded.

"And then what?"

"And then when you're satisfied, we return to your body. Simple."

"My body is safe?"

"We would hide it."

"And what happens when 'we' return?"

"I leave you, Highness."

"What's in this for you, Tariq?"

"A clear conscience. I cannot imagine you would take my word against Lazar without proof. I wish to give you conclusive proof that he has been alone with your wife against your wishes. You obviously have your own suspicions. My considered counsel is that you don't take any action without proof."

"Always being helpful, Tariq," Boaz said with condescension, "but I still don't know who you are or how helping to ease my conscience helps you serve Zarab."

And here was where Maliz knew he had to be convincing. "My Zar, I know this is going to come as a shock, but I believe Ana and Lazar to be followers of Lyana."

"So? We do not persecute anyone in Percheron for their beliefs, Tariq, you should know that. And I have seen no outward signs that either of them holds any unhealthy interest in the Goddess."

"No, my Zar. That's because I believe they are plotting against you."

"What?"

"Hush, Majesty. We shall be found out."

"This is treacherous talk, Tariq. You should consider carefully before you say any more," Boaz warned, anger and more shock evident in his voice.

"I already have, Highness, and it grieves me to tell you this but I believe Ana and Lazar would like to return Percheron to a realm that prays to Lyana rather than to Zarab."

Boaz frowned. "We do not punish people based on their religious beliefs but I will not tolerate any sort of schism. That would require repercussions from the Crown; Percheron follows Zarab."

"But a schism is precisely what they're aiming to fuel, Highness."

"Well, have you confronted either of them about this?"

"I dare not. Lazar is a man of violence. And we have witnessed what he can endure when he feels Ana is threatened. And speaking of that, where did he ask for his body to be taken when he was so injured? Lyana's Sea Temple. Who cared for him, nursed him back to health? The priestess Zafira. He is linked to Lyana, whether he cares to admit it or not. I'm told they found Ana in the Sea Temple with the priestess when she ran away from the harem. She could have run anywhere, Highness, and I think we'd both agree that she stood a better chance if she'd melted into the crowds at the bazaar or joined one of the caravans leaving the city. But she chose the lonely temple. She, too, is linked to Lyana through that curious choice."

"I shall ask Lazar," Boaz said angrily.

"No, wait, Highness," Maliz said, grabbing the Zar's arm, apologizing immediately with a small bow for the indiscretion. "That is not the way to approach this. If there is a conspiracy afoot, Lazar will have all of his excuses and cunning rationale in place. A direct approach will not work. The only way to discover the truth is to use guile, Highness. We must watch, eavesdrop. We must use the magic I offer."

"I can't believe this, Tariq. It's one thing to accuse Lazar of coveting a beautiful woman who is not his to look upon. It is another to accuse that same man of treachery when he has been exemplary in his loyalty to our Crown."

"They are one and the same, my Zar. Both acts-carnal or spiritual-betray you."

Boaz shook his head, but before he could speak, Maliz pushed him further still.

"Do not risk further humiliation, my Zar. If I am wrong, have me killed. That's how strongly I feel about this. I have no reason to lie to you. I have powers at my fingertips that I can make yours-just invite me in. All you have to do is-"

"Maliz!" the Zar finally said as some understanding that the demon could not see must have broken across his expression. "You are the one they call the demon?" he accused uncontrollably.

And now, finally, Maliz revealed himself fully. He permitted his true, deep voice to emerge. "Do I frighten you?" He heard Boaz's hesitation. "You have nothing to fear from me. I will not interfere with your Crown, your realm, or your people. I want only that Percheron remain true to Zarab."

"I don't believe this is happening," Boaz admitted, his voice fearful. "You have been hiding as Tariq all along?"

Maliz shrugged the Grand Vizier's shoulders. "Quite a short while, to be honest. Percheron is under threat, my Zar-I am here to help you."

"Why couldn't you declare yourself? Why the secrecy?"

"People fear what they do not understand. It is easier to work invisibly when you are on a mission such as mine."

"Where is the real Tariq?"

"He died of natural causes, Majesty. I had hoped to persuade him to join me, to be my eyes around the palace. He was ready to help but he wanted power and riches. I could give him anything he wanted and he was greedy. He sampled the fruits and died one night in a lascivious combination of women and wine. He was old, Highness; his body could not take that sort of excitement."

"And then what happened?"

Maliz sighed. "I took my opportunity. He no longer needed his body. You could say I borrowed it. I have treated it with deference and I have made Tariq into a man that everyone-including Lazar-can grudgingly respect."

"I cannot fault you there," Boaz admitted, wonderment in his voice. "And so now it all makes sense-the stoop is gone, the adornments disappear, the more likable Tariq emerged."

"Thank you, Highness. May I say you seem to be taking this news rather well-is it because you hated the old Tariq so much?" Before Boaz could answer, Maliz added, "Or has someone given you a clue to my presence?"

Boaz hesitated. "Don't be ridiculous. How could anyone know?"

But Maliz heard the discomfited pause and he stored it away. Lazar was definitely onto him. He wished he could kill him right now but he needed him as a guide and protector for the desert. He would bide his time and deal with the arrogant Spur in due course.

"I just wondered," he said, turning suddenly, unsure of why. He frowned into the distance.

"What's wrong?" Boaz hissed.

Maliz listened carefully. "I'm not sure."

"I can't hear anything."

"No, neither did I. But I sense something."

"What?"

Maliz felt distracted and irritated. He didn't have any more time and knew this was the moment to strike. Even though his mind felt a presence nearby, he needed to push Boaz into saying yes-there might never be a better opportunity. He whispered now. "My Zar, you must make a decision. We have little time if Lazar leaves in a few hours."

"What must I do?"

"You simply give me pemission to join you. The words are ancient. You must not be frightened by them. And then you must kill me."

"What?" The Zar instinctively stepped away.

Maliz had expected as much. "Don't be scared. By killing me, you release me. It is nothing. I feel nothing."

"But..."

Maliz smiled, crafting his whispered lies with care. "And when we return, I will claim back the Grand Vizier's body, heal his wounds, and reignite his life."

"You can do that?"

"I did precisely that before when his heart gave up during his sexual orgy. It is easy with my powers. I know it is distasteful to plunge a blade into me but I promise you I feel nothing." He handed Boaz a vicious-looking knife he took from his robe.

"I...I'm not sure I can do-"

"You can and you will. Now utter these words and all will be well. I can show you Ana in the next moment or two. You must say this: 'Maliz, come into me. Take my soul.'"

Boaz stared at him uncomprehendingly. "I will not say that."

Maliz gave a soft sound of admonishment. "Zar Boaz, these are ancient words that have no meaning today. The language is quaint. Take my soul may sound daunting but the dramatic phrasing relates only to the fact that I will claim your body, guide your spirit. In centuries gone by, soul meant body. Just ignore how theatrical it sounds."

"Fayiz?" Lazar's voice suddenly drifted from the other side of the dune.

Maliz gave a new hissing sound. The sensation he had felt must have been the Spur creeping up on them. "It's now or never, my Zar. We shall hide both our bodies and go. Call out, tell him all is well."

Boaz nodded. "Lazar, we're fine. Tariq is suffering a bad bout of the Haste." He feigned a laugh. "He doesn't know which end to let fly from."

Lazar's reply was cautioning. "Just a minute more then and I'll take over. You need some sleep this night."

Boaz hated lying to Lazar but he was shaken to his core from the revelations he had heard this night.

"Answer Lazar, Highness," the Grand Vizier urged.

"One minute, I promise," Boaz called. He heard Lazar grumble as he walked away.

Maliz nodded. "Good. Are you ready?"

Boaz was frightened by the magic. The demon's offer seemed to offer a solution for his most bitter suspicions and yet it went against everything he trusted or believed in. "I'm not comfortable with-"

"My Zar, there is nothing comfortable about your life right now. The Galinseans are threatening to raze your city; a madman rebel has stolen your wife and child, and as there's no ransom, presumably he's after something far more sinister. You've got your mother acting regent in a palace under threat whilst you're not sure whether the wife you risk your own life for has a lover who happens to be your own head of security, and, even more tangled, he's your mother's new consort! Your life is certainly not comfortable but I alone have the power to bring some sanity back to it. And it begins here by either dispelling the notion that you have been cuckolded or proving it and taking appropriate action to set your house in order, Majesty. Take what I'm offering. I am more faithful to you than any of those you have previously trusted. I know you sense their betrayal-I can hear it in your tone, I can see it in how your body reacts. I know nothing angers you more than treachery. Seek the truth-and set things straight."

It was as though the demon could listen in on his thoughts. Everything he said was right.