“Now that on its own isn’t much…” the wolf said, perhaps sensing he was losing his audience. So, when he spoke next it was in a softer, conspiratorial tone. “But… I’vealsonoticed this bat shifter has had a new smell on him recently. Ever since that half-breed arrived here.”
Saldrea perked up at this.
The wolf smiled. “The bat is close to her somehow. I don’t know exactly how, and I have yet to confirm the scent I’ve caught on him?—”
“Hana, get that item we took from Izzy’s room!” Saldrea ordered.
The sylph shot out of the room and was back in a flash holding a small cloth item… Was that underwear?
“I thought this might come in handy, if we ever needed to track that bitch,” Saldrea gloated as Hana handed the item over to the wolf, who gave it a good sniff.
“Ah, yes! That’s what I’ve smelled on the bat! He’s definitely been close to her… perhaps… traitorously close?” The wolf winked.
Shifters mating with anyone outside of their type of beast was cause for their deaths.
Saldrea smiled that vicious cat-like grin of hers.
“Thank you, so much,” Saldrea said with delight. “What is your name again?”
“Artol, mistress.”
“Artol, you shall be greatly rewarded for this.”
The wolf grinned and was shown out.
Saldrea laughed, a light and airy thing, which to anyone else might have sounded mirthful, but I knew it was filled with hatred and spite.
“Oh… Izzy. Whathaveyou done? You’ve given me the perfect toy to play with.” She couldn’t have been happier.
Then she and her minions began planning what they’d do to this bat-shifter. And knowing exactly how it felt to have Saldrea hurt someone you loved…
I pitied this Izzy… even if she was an elf.
IZZY
Despite our win,there was no celebration. We were a solemn crew on our way back to Rook’s room. That was until Myel found us.
He rushed to me, but managed to stop himself before embracing me, since we were still out in public.
“I’m so glad you won!” he breathed. “I knew you would.”
Oh, we’d all had our doubts, even him, but his exuberant words helped lift my spirits.
“Thank you for your kind words, strange man,” I said a bit stilted. There were far too many others around, most of them looking my way.
Myel looked hurt for all of an instant as he searched my face and I made the universal sign forpeople watching: eyes wide, looking side to side with subtle head tilts.
He blinked. “Oh, yes, of course. I… wished to congratulate you on your win.” Then he turned stiffly and walked away.
I had no doubt he’d be in Rook’s room when we got back.
“My room is yours, as long as you want it, I’ll be stayingwith my master,” Rook said. He’d been sullen since the match. I still couldn’t figure him out. Was he mad at me for involving him? Maybe he was mad at himself for not having won the fight all on his own? That would be a typical male reaction.
Gah… men!
Even with so many of the opposite sex around me, I didn’t understand them.
“I’m… glad we…youwon,” Rook said stiffly, then broke away from us to head to Svokol’s residence.
