Page 91 of The Nameless Ones
‘It’s not a man, but a child, a girl.’
‘Name?’
‘Zorya.’
‘Second name?’
‘I don’t know. I’ve never heard any other used. I’m not even sure that Zorya is her real name. Spiridon found her, or she found him. It’s never been entirely clear to me.’
‘Where?’
‘Eastern Serbia. Bor, Negotin, somewhere like that.’
‘What is she to Spiridon? Is he sleeping with her?’
‘It’s possible, I suppose,’ said Frend. ‘It’s not the kind of question one asks of a man.’
‘Isn’t it?’
‘Not a man like Spiridon Vuksan.’
‘If you say so. What else does she do for him?’
There was no reply. For a moment Angel was worried that the connection might have been lost.
‘Mr Frend? I don’t like being kept waiting.’
‘I think she kills for him,’ said Frend.
‘You said she was a child.’
‘She looks like a child – no, she is a child – but when you see her up close, you realize that you’re mistaken. It’s hard to explain without sounding foolish.’
‘Go on. You’re doing well – and you’re helping your daughter.’
‘I hope so. I really—’ Frend briefly lost his train of thought. Angel thought the lawyer might have been on the verge of tears. ‘I’m sorry, where was I?’
‘You were talking about the girl, Zorya,’ said Angel.
‘Zorya, yes. It’s as though someone hollowed out a child, removed its essence, and then replaced it with the soul of a creature much older. Radovan calls her his brother’s witch. Spiridon consults her, and defers to her judgment. She has a condition of the spine, scoliosis. It’s not very apparent, but it’s there.’
‘You said she’d killed.’
‘She has a blade. She keeps it in her sleeve. But—’
‘Yes?’
‘She prefers to use her hands, or so I hear. She has sharp nails.’
Angel was about to ask if she had killed Hendricksen, just to be absolutely sure, but the question would have given Frend a small advantage. Right now, Frend couldn’t be certain who had his daughter. If Angel asked about Hendricksen, he would know.
‘Does she stay with Spiridon?’
‘Not always. Radovan says she likes the night.’
‘What does that mean?’
‘She wanders when it’s dark,’ said Frend. ‘She may even sleep rough. I wish I could tell you more, but that’s all I know.’