Connection was instant, but for several seconds, I did nothing more than revel in its chaotic beauty, letting it flow through me, around me, empowering and somehow cleansing me, though I wasn’t sure I could ever define what the latter meant.
A car horn sounded in the distance, making me start, drawing me back to my task. I closed my eyes and got down to the business of crafting my request. Beira had told me that the wind was a weapon and a gatherer of locations, but she could never reveal deeper information such as identity, because wind and storms were of land and trees, cities and seas, and had no care for those who dwelled in any of them. And yet, I had already done what she said couldn’t be done. If luck was with me, I’d do it again.
I might not get a truly clear picture of what Eljin was doing, but I could certainly see who he was with. If itwasn’this sister, that in and of itself was no big deal. He and I weren’t exclusive and, up until very recently, I’d spent my time between his bed and Cynwrig’s. It was the lie that mattered.
That, and the Eye’s response.
Once I’d given the wind her orders and streamed her toward London, I sighed and opened my eyes... to see Mathi leaning against the trunk of a nearby ash tree. He was wearing a black trench coat that emphasized his slim figure, crisp black pants, shiny black shoes, and looked rather dapper.
“Is there a reason you’re dressed so formally?” I asked, accepting the hand he offered me.
“Had a business meeting this morning, and the client expects a certain look.” He released my hand and fell in step beside me. “What did the wind have to say?”
“Nothing. I just sent it on a little scouting mission.”
“For the pectoral?”
“No, as we haven’t yet got any information about what it looks like.”
“Then what did you ask it to do? Or shouldn’t I ask?”
“Probably the latter, but I asked it to follow Eljin to see if he is doing what he says he’s doing this weekend.”
He glanced at me, his eyebrows raised. “That’s a little stalkerish, isn’t it? It’s not like you’re in a committed relationship with the man.”
“It’s not that.”
“Then what is it?”
“The Eye. It reacts badly to him. I’m not sure why, but I intend to find out.”
“Surely the museum would have done a background on him before he started.”
“They did, and it didn’t reveal anything untoward.” I shrugged. “In truth, the Eye’s reaction might be nothing more than my own uncertainty about our relationship but?—”
“Instinct is niggling, and that is never a good thing, as I well know. It did end a wonderful relationship.”
I nudged him. “Only our sexual one.”
“Indeed, but I did rather enjoy sex with you.” He paused. “There are easier—and definitely more reliable—ways to check what he is doing than using the wind.”
I glanced at him. “We can’t risk running a trace on him through the IIT system; the system is likely compromised, and there’s a chance such a search would tip off whoever stole the hoard.”
He stopped and stared at me. “Your instinct is suggesting he’s a plant? Why have you never said anything?”
“Because instinct has had very little to say about him until very recently, and besides, I’m not sure he is. I just...” I shrugged. “I guess I just need to be sure one way or another, especially when I have the gods telling me to be wary of letting new people into my life.”
“I would suggest that if the gods are sayingthat, then we definitely need to check him out more thoroughly.” He walked on. “I’ll contact a friend in London who specializes in this sortof thing and get him onto the case immediately. Where is Eljin staying, do you know?”
“Montcalm Royal.” My eyebrows rose. “What if your friend is busy?”
“He owes me several favors. He will not be busy.”
“Spoken as only a royal-blood Ljósálfar could.”
“Said royal Ljósálfar elf will do serious damage to Eljin if he does turn out to be a plant. And then he will be handed over to Cynwrig, who will ensure what life he has left will be spent in agony.”
“And why would Cynwrig do that? He and I?—”
