I jumped at Azriel's question, then nodded and rubbed my arms. The stain of her still lingered in the dark recesses of my mind.
"Good," he said. "That is at least a starting point."
"We may have more than that." I pulled out my phone and said, "Ilianna." When her somewhat exasperated-looking features appeared on-screen, I added quickly, "I know, I know, we'll hurry. I just need to ask a question."
"Ask. Then you and Tao better get your asses into gear and get over here. The roast is spoiling."
And given she was a vegetarian and only cooking the roast for Tao, she'd be totally pissed off for the next several days if that actually happened. "We'll be there in twenty-five minutes. Tell me, those wards you set up—just how strong were they?"
"Strong enough to hold up for several minutes against a concerted attack. Why?"
"So enough time for Stane to escape, but not enough to completely stop a major magical attack?"
"Yes." She frowned. "I didn't have enough time to create those sorts of wards. You know that."
I knew, but I needed to check. "Thanks. I'll see you soon."
"But why—"
I cut the connection and looked at Azriel. "The stealer wasn't actually trying to kill Stane."
"This is the name of one you came here to rescue?"
"Yeah." I carefully stood up. My stomach behaved itself, but it felt like there were a hundred tiny drummers going mad inside my head.
"Why would you believe the oni wasn't sent here to kill?" He turned around and opened the door, stepping back so I could precede him.
"Because Ilianna's wards weren't strong enough to physically stop it, yet when I arrived, it was simply hovering at the bottom of the stairs." I hesitated, glancing at Azriel as I walked past. "Why does Stane see you as a man-mountain?"