Yet every step was agony. She expected Ulvarth to jump out at any second from any shadow. Eira didn’t even bother to hide a sigh of relief when they turned down the alleyway and found Olivin and Ducot waiting, emerging from Olivin’s illusion the moment they saw her and Alyss round the corner.
“What kept you?” Olivin pushed away from the wall.
“We were worried,” Ducot added.
“You have reason to be,” Eira said gravely, and fished out the flash bead from her pocket.
“That’s not…” Olivin’s words faded.
Ducot reached out a hand. Eira placed it in his palm so he could feel the flash bead. He scowled and handed it back to her. “So they’re still getting them even without Adela involved.”
“She’s not?”
Ducot shook his head. “I’m certain of it.”
Alyss opened up the tunnel as they spoke and scrambled down.
Eira pocketed the flash bead and followed behind. “I ran into Ulvarth.”
“What?” they said in unison.
“I ran. I don’t think he saw me…but he’ll know I was there.”
“How is it that the Court of Shadows can’t get a lead on that man to save our lives and you run into him while out for a stroll?” Olivin grumbled as he descended after her.
“She’s our bad luck charm,” Ducot jested. Eira punched him lightly in the shoulder.
“I’m scowling at you.”
“Why is it that whenever you describe your expressions for me it’s only ever the bad ones?”
“Maybe I only make bad ones for you,” Eira said as Alyss closed up the opening above them.
“Ha.Ha.”
“Did you find Rebec?” Eira asked.
“I did. She needed time with the key,” Ducot reported.
The bottom of her stomach fell out. She had been expecting to get the key back. It was a bargaining chip with the court, if nothing else.Keep calm. Eira spun the flash bead in her pocket. She had other chips she could bargain with, if needed. A gesture of good faith to the court was the sensible choice. She wouldn’t let emotions get the better of her.
“That also meant I had to tell her how I found it…howyoufound it.”
“Great, so the court knows I’m still being a rogue shadow.”
“To be fair, I don’t think they ever suspected otherwise,” Olivin said over his shoulder.
“They’d be dumb if they did,” Alyss muttered.
“I heard that.” Eira sighed.
“While all this is true, Deneya might still want a word with you,” Ducot said to Eira.
“Well, if she does I hope we can each share useful information and make the encounter productive for once, rather than just her scolding and warning me.” Eira glanced to Olivin. They were almost at the end of the tunnel. She lowered her voice further. “Any word on your brother?”
“Not that I could find.”
“Any sign ofher?” Ducot asked over Eira’s shoulder.
