She fixed the sorceress with a pleading pout. “Please? You did ruin his coat.”
Lucenna rolled her eyes and handed her the velvet pouch. “Fine. Take it. Use a pinch of stardust, then return it to me.”
“I will, thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” Lucenna cut in pointedly, giving them both a look that sent a flush of heat to Dyna’s cheeks. “Well, let’s get on, then. We must stop by Cobalt Tavern to secure our rooms.” Twirling her fingers over her face, Lucenna’s features changed to that of a wizened hag with straw-like hair. Her iris color remained the same. It was the only thing the glamor spell couldn’t change. She tied a sash around her eyes. “I have to be careful. There are mages in this city.”
“Yes, I too must be discreet.” Rawn raised his hood over his head to hide his face in shadow. It reminded Dyna of the bounty Red Highland placed on him. He secured his bow and quiver on his shoulder and hid his sword beneath his cloak.
“Should we split up to search for Leoake?” Zev asked. “We will cover more ground that way.”
Even without the scale, they’d decided to continue searching for the Druid until they had to leave Azure. Dyna wanted to find her Guardians, and the others had questions, too. If they found him, perhaps he might take something else as payment.
“It’s too risky for me to wander the city,” Lucenna said. “I will have to leave the search to the rest of you.”
Dyna nodded. “It’s best if you stay out of sight.”
“You must be careful, too. Even if your Essence isn’t potent, any mage can sense you.”
Cassiel crossed his arms. “Only if one comes near her. We will keep her safe.”
Zev agreed in a rumbling growl.
“Very well,” Rawn said. “I shall accompany Lady Lucenna to pay for our lodging and leave your arrangements under my alias, Nelrron. Rest tonight. Tomorrow morning, we shall board a ship to Dwarf Shoe, regardless if we find the Druid.”
Dyna smiled when everyone nodded without protest. They finally accepted him as their Guidelander.
Rawn offered an arm to Lucenna, and they walked ahead together, appearing like a guide for the poor blind woman. Dyna waved to them as they departed down the street.
Zev pulled off his shirt. “I’ll shift and search the west end of the city.”
“Then I’ll search the east,” Cassiel said. He glanced at her fleetingly, rubbing the back of his neck. “You may come if you wish.”
He headed for the street without waiting for a reply. Dyna glanced between him and Zev, torn between who to choose.
“You want to go with him?” her cousin asked.
She shrugged. “Yes, if you don’t mind. He’s headed for the market, and I’d like to explore.”
It was a poor excuse, but Zev smiled and patted her head. “Make sure not to leave his side. I’ll accompany you first.”
With that, she headed into the street. The crowd on the street gave her a wide berth, wary of the large black wolf at her side. But as she passed the current of people, she didn’t spot Cassiel anywhere in sight. Somehow, she sensed his presence near, so she kept walking, letting this new instinct lead her.
Dyna reached a market street when a sudden tingle of roiling energy pressed against her back. She spun around and spotted Cassiel across the street. His gaze stayed on her as he moved through to the crowd in her direction.
“There he is. Well, I’ll meet you at the tavern,” Dyna told Zev. His cold nose nuzzled her palm and he went on his way. She waited for a cart to pass, then darted across the street to Cassiel.
“I found you,” he murmured.
“No, I found you.” Had an odd sense of direction led him to her, too?
Cassiel ran a hand through his inky black hair. “I ... thought you would not wish to come.”
“Why?”
He looked away and cleared his throat. “Never mind. Come on then, stop dawdling.”
People packed the streets, and Azure Guards patrolled every block. They spent hours searching for any clue on the Druid’s whereabouts, asking any fae they met on the street if they knew where to find him. No one did. And no one fit the description of Leoake.
