“And I’m really not,” I cut in, amused.
“—I’m thinking it’s probably unnecessary, given the circumstances.”
The circumstances no doubt being Cynwrig’s ability to track my weight on the earth. “But you’ll get one for me anyway?”
“Indeed, I will.” He glanced at Mathi. “Where is our prisoner?”
“This way. Beth, you want to release him?”
I did so. A heavy thump rumbled through the flooring as he hit harder than he normally would have from that height. I may or may not have had something to do with that.
I flicked on the lights, made my tea, then grabbed a block of chocolate from the fridge and moved over to the sofa. The fire was out, and by the time I had it burning again, Mathi and Bodhrán were on their way back down.
Not that I could see Bodhrán—despite the growing darkness that haunted this upper floor, the light shield encompassed him completely, allowing him to move between the patches of light and shadows without the usual giveaway shimmer—and that generally meant expensive.
“I’ll just make sure he gets out without incident,” Mathi said. “Be back in five.”
“You want a coffee?”
“Are we talking instant, or will you drag the maker out of the cupboard?”
“I haven’t the energy to drag.”
“Then no, thank you.”
I snorted, sat back on the sofa, and broke open the chocolate. When he returned, I said, “I think Eljin has a stash of the drug he was using on me in his bedside drawer—is there any chance we could use it to trace the herbalist responsible for it?”
“Perhaps. If you give me the alarm code, I’ll stop by his place on my way home and collect it.” He paused. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Angry as all get out, but fine.” I gave him the code, then bit into the chocolate. “I forgot to mention—when I was in the cavern, the harp started to sing, which likely means Carla was using the pectoral on someone. It might be worth contacting your father?—”
“You might have more luck with Sgott. My father appears unusually determined to keep the system locked down right now.”
Which remained unusual behavior when it came to his son, and it had me remembering the conversation I’d overheard. I hesitated, then said, “My most recent vision suggested someone high up in IIT has been compromised by Carla. Do you think your father, or even, gods forbid, Sgott, might be one of Carla’s unwilling victims?”
“I seriously doubt Sgott is. Aside from the fact he’s still grieving the loss of your mother, very few people would get close enough to that man with a blade and live to tell the tale. As for my father—” He grimaced. “We can’t totally discount the possibility, but Carla isn’t an elf. While I have never had any qualms about bedding a gorgeous woman no matter what the race, he is the exact opposite.”
“He doesn’t have to bed her to be stabbed by the blade.”
“True, but the only time my father is alone outside his office within the IIT is in the Ljósálfar compound. She wouldn’t get one step beyond the outer sanctum, let alone anywhere near the inner.”
“That still leaves the possibility of it being someone close to either of them.”
“Yes, but if we catch Carla and destroy the blade, it is a problem that becomes moot.”
“Only as far as Carla controlling them. We already know they’re willing to use drugs—you’re evidence enough of that.”
He grimaced again. “Yes, but regular drug testing has long been a feature in the IIT.”
“But you’ll still mention it to your father?” When he nodded, I leaned forward and picked up my tea mug. “What are your plans for this evening?”
“I’ve a date.”
“With a prospect?”
“No.”
I rolled my eyes. “How do you intend to know and understand the woman you’ll eventually marry if you’re off fucking around with random other women?”
