“From my encounters with the draugr, I know it’s looking for the things it valued in life. We’re hoping to use this attachment to bargain with or trick it.”
It was as uncomfortably close to the truth as I wanted to go. Miriam struck me as being sharp so outright lying wouldn’t work.
“Hm.”
She played several more cards.
“I can do the spell,” she said finally.
That’s what I needed.
“It’ll cost you though.”
I was afraid of that.
“How much?” I asked. I’d preferred cash as opposed to a favor this time.
“Not you, him.”
The sorcerer unfolded his arms and leaned forward. There was no way she was doing this spell. Not if he had to pay for it.
“What do you want?” I asked, knowing it was pointless but wanting to know anyway.
“I want to know how long Barret has been gone.”
I blinked. That was it? I was thinking it would be something big, like the magical equivalent of a kidney.
I gave the sorcerer a cautious look. The question seemed harmless enough, but it’d be in keeping with his character to refuse just to be a pain in the ass.
He glared at both of us, looking like a pissed off cat.
“It’s none of her business.”
Looked like I was right. He was going to be difficult.
“Is there anything else you’ll take in the place of the answer?” I asked Miriam.
She shook her head before moving a king to an empty spot.
“It’s an easy enough question,” I muttered to him.
“You answer it then. Oh wait, you can’t.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. Dealing with petulant teenagers had never been my forte, and for all that he was older than he looked, he had the teenage act down pat.
“Are you sure you want to go this route?” I asked.
A stony glare was my only answer. I dropped my eyes meaningfully to the cuff around his wrist. His lack of power meant nothing to me besides the promise of my safety. I doubted he wanted that information spread to someone he saw as an enemy.
Seeing where I was looking, he tugged his jacket sleeve down to cover the bronze.
“He’s been gone for almost four months,” he said grudgingly.
I’d guessed right. The glare he shot me promised retribution. I should have been scared, but I wasn’t. After the draugr was taken care of, I’d probably be in the hands of the vampires. I doubted he would want to start a war with them for the indignities he’d endured at my hands.
“Great, you have your answer. How should we do this?” I asked, turning to Miriam.
She swept the cards into a single deck, wiping her game clean.
