at them all with a lifted chin and a lazy smile before she stood up and bowed, left and right, to the sound of applause. The applause died off when Maeve stalked away from the corpse and to the rising tiers of dinner seats, stepping lithely up them until she reached the great silver throne at the top. She dropped into it, turned sideways, and idly threw her legs over one arm, arching her back and stretching with that same lazy smile. "My lords and ladies, let us give our poor musical brutes a little time to recover their strength. We have a visitor."
The Sidhe began drifting toward the tables on the tiers, stepping into place one by one. I stood where I was and said nothing, though as they settled down I became increasingly conscious of their attention, of the glittering intensity of immortal eyes upon me.
Once they were all settled in, I stepped forward and walked across the dance floor until I stood at the foot of the tier. I looked up at Maeve and inclined my head to her. "Lady Winter, I presume."
Maeve smiled at me, showing a dimple, and gave one foot a girlish bounce. "Indeed."
"You know in what capacity I am here, Lady?"
"Naturally."
I nodded. Nothing like a frontal assault, then. "Did you arrange the murder of the Summer Knight?"
Silence fell on the room. The regard of the Winter Sidhe grew more intent, more uncomfortable.
Maeves mouth spread into a slow smile, which in turn became a quiet, rolling laugh. She let her head fall back with it, and the Sidhe joined in with her. They sat there laughing at me for a good thirty seconds, and I felt my face begin to heat up with irrational embarrassment before Maeve waved one hand in a negligent gesture and the laughter obediently died away.
"Stars," she murmured, "I adore mortals."
I clenched my jaw. "Thats swell," I said. "Did you arrange the murder of the Summer Knight?"
"If I had, do you really think I would tell you?"
"Youre evading," I growled. "Answer the question."
Maeve lifted a fingertip to her lips as though she needed it to hold in more laughter. Then she smiled and said, "I cant just give you that kind of information, Wizard Dresden. Its too powerful."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
She sat up, crossing her legs with a squeak of leather, and settled back on the throne. "It means that if you want me to answer that question, youre going to have to pay for it. What is the answer worth to you?"
I folded my arms. "I assume you have something in mind. Thats why you sent someone to give us safe passage here."
"Quick," she murmured. "I like that. Yes, I do, wizard." She extended a hand to me and gestured to an open seat at the table to the right and a little beneath the level of her throne. "Please sit down," she said. Her teeth shone white. "Lets make a deal."
Chapter Fifteen
"You want me to cut another deal with the Sidhe," I said. I didnt bother to hide my disbelief. "When I burst out laughing at you, do you think youll be offended?"
"And why should you find the notion amusing?"
I rolled my eyes. "Christ, lady, thats what got me into this crap to begin with."
Maeves lips slithered into a quiet smile, and she left her hand extended, toward the seat beside her. "Remember, wizard, that you came to seek something from me. Surely it would not harm you to listen to my offer."
"Ive heard that before. Usually right before I get screwed."
Maeve touched the tip of her tongue to her lips. "One thing at a time, Mister Dresden."
I snorted. "Suppose I dont want to listen."
Something in her eyes suddenly made her face cold and unpleasant. "I think it might be wise for you to indulge me. I simply go mad when someone ruins a good party mood."
"Harry," Billy muttered, "these people are giving me the creeps. If shes playing games with you, maybe we should go."
I grimaced. "Yeah, that would be the smart thing. But it wouldnt get me any answers. Come on."
I stepped forward and started climbing up to the table Maeve had indicated. Billy followed closely. Maeve watched me the whole time, her eyes sparkling.
"There," she said, once Id been seated. "Not so untamable as he claimed."
I felt my jaw get a little tighter as Billy took a seat beside me. A trio of brightly colored lights zipped in, bearing a silver tray holding