As curious as the word 'Inquisition' was--and as frightening--Ariadne found herself slightly transfixed by the way he moved the staff.

"Are you a carnival barker?" she asked.

Nearly eight years ago, right after she'd sacrificed her wings, Lysia had taken her to a traveling carnival. She remembered that there had been a ringmaster with a staff like that. And he'd swung it wildly about, emphasizing his words. It had been like watching a musician play.