I hurried down the corridor, greeting the bar staff as I passed them, and raced up the stairs. Ingrid was talking to someone in the office, but I didn’t stop, hurrying on up to my floor, then over to the loft ladder. I pressed the button to unfold it, paced as I waited for it to come down, and then clambered up. I tossed my purse and the bag containing the harp onto the sofa, then ran down to the end of the room to retrieve the Codex. Once I was comfortable, I placed the knives and the Eye onto the Codex and said, “Show me.”
Instantly, I was swept away.
You’ve done the inventory?came the all too familiar voice of the Ninkilim leader.
Indeed, I have, Carla replied.It is not good news.
I thought you had nothing of import stored there.
I forgot the scrolls were there.
What scrolls? It was flatly said, and yet his fury was almost smothering.
The ones the witch’s mother stole.
I guessedthatanswered the question as to whether the scrolls were the ones Mom had stolen, but how hadtheyretrieved them from her? Had they forced the location out of her before they’d brought a fucking tunnel down on top of her? Or had some sort of magical tracker been placed on them? Thelatter would certainly explain the puff of smoke I’d seen when I’d touched them with the knife.
Why in the gods’ names would you store them there?came the snapped reply.
With the witch’s spawn wandering about finding relics willy-nilly, it was as safe as anywhere else.She paused.Any progress on our thief? I doubt it’s a coincidence he is hitting all of my residences, be they old or new.
His identity remains unknown, but the dark elves are currently tracking down the whereabouts of Jarvil Maehdon’s immediate kin, which leads me to suspect one of them might be involved. You should not have killed the man.
It was an accident.
You plunged your knife into his heart.The man’s voice was dry. That can hardly be called an accident.
He moved, she replied, with absolutely no concern or remorse evident.It matters not, because his death was listed as natural. There were no witnesses to gainsay that.
Except for his grandson—he saw you coming out of the house, remember.
That kid?She snorted.Even Jarvil didn’t have a very high opinion of him.
It is never wise to misjudge a Myrkálfar, Brídín, even one so young.
Trust me, they are no different to any man, be he Ljósálfar, shifter, or human. You are all led by your cocks rather than your brains.
Not all of us.
Another snort, this time sharper.You may believe that if you wish, but we both know it is my ability to appease needs that would horrify your more genteel lovers that you value above all else.
Indeed, but as I have said, do not ever believe I won’t destroy you if it comes down to it.
How can I forget when your insurance lies in my head?
A statement that explained her comment in an earlier vision that capture would mean her death. He’d obviously implanted something. If we everdidfind her, we’d have to work damn fast before she was neutralized.
To bring this conversation back on point,she added,neither he nor anyone else will find me. I wasn’t wearing my true form—or indeed, a form anyone from the council would recognize.
Then how is our thief so successfully targeting all that you own?
Perhaps Jarvil left an “open in case of death” letter. He was the type.
Didn’t you order him to say nothing about your presence in his life?
Of course, but it is impossible to cover every scenario. Even godly artifacts do have their limitations, you know. Besides, the blade’s effectiveness does wane over time.
You should have dealt with the man before he was able to leave a message, if that is indeed what has happened.
