“You’re right.” My skin prickled discomfort. “Why did you send for me? Because of Ceyden?”

“Yes. I am told that your husband will investigate the murder. But he will find no solutions outside of the harem.”

“And he cannot come into the harem. We’re well aware of that. It’s why he sought—and received—permission for me to—”

She laughed. “Do you think, Emily, that I do not already know everything you do? You are to be set upon us, asking questions. That is not why I have summoned you here.”

“Then why?”

“I have decided to offer you my allegiance. My support. Without which you will flail and accomplish nothing. Did you even know I was here? That this graveyard for the previous sultans’ women existed?”

“No. I confess I did not.”

“And do you know that Murat, the sultan’s cast-aside brother, has a harem of his own at Çırağan Sarayı , the palace that is his prison on the shores of the Bosphorus? And that the dealings of the women in both these locations must be considered if we are to find and punish the person who ended Ceyden’s life?”

“You speak as if you have an idea as to the identity of the guilty party,” I said.

“Ideas, perhaps, but ideas are nothing but ephemeral.”

“I did not expect my purpose to be a welcome one. I accept your assistance most gratefully. I promise I will not fail you.”

“Of course you won’t,” she said. “I read your chart.”

“My chart?”

“Know you nothing of astrology?”

“. . . so she told me that I’m an Aries. Impulsive, bold, ruled by the planet Mars.”

“Sounds dangerous,” Colin said, raising his eyebrows, skepticism radiating from every inch of his face.

“Competitive—but you know that already.” I took a fig from a bowl on the table and popped it in my mouth.

“All too well.”

“I was thinking,” I began, looking over the Bosphorus shining below us. “Perhaps we should have another bet. Bezime says it’s impossible for you to solve this case. That all the keys lie in the harem.”