Marc’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “How is Iris?”
Theo cleared his throat. “Miss Dolios is quite well, thank you. She performed to a sell-out crowd only two evenings ago.”
“She’s a performer?” I guessed.
Theo stared at me as though I’d grown two heads. “Do you not know of the famous Miss Dolios?”
Oh boy. I sheepishly smiled at him. “I, um, of course I’ve heard of her, I just heard the name wrong.”
He relaxed his stance somewhat. “Yes, of course. I would be surprised to meet someone who hasn’t heard the name of the great Miss Dolios.”
Eldric clapped the book shut and nodded at the cauldron. “Stop your simpering and taste that stuff. It’s almost breakfast time and I’m hungry.”
Chapter 11
Marc grinned as Theo began ladling out the food into two small bowls. “You still don’t try any of Gisela’s fine food?”
“I have too much work to leave it unfinished due to an early death,” Eldric countered as he took a bowl from Theo. He sniffed the bubbling soup and wrinkled his nose. “What did you add to this pea soup?”
Theo blinked at him. “Pea soup? I thought you wanted pig soup. I threw in last night’s ham bone.”
Eldric licked his lips. “Well, that explains the saltiness.” He took another large spoonful before he turned his head to Marc. “Sit where you want. I’ll get to you as soon as I’ve finished with this.”
Marc cleared a spot on one of the many chairs scattered about the room and took a seat. “You mentioned just now about having trouble with secrets, and that trap wasn’t there the last time I was here. I’m guessing you’ve been having trouble with boarders.”
Eldric paused his meal and frowned. “It’s those damn groups always coming around asking me to do something for them.”
“Which groups?” I asked him.
He wrinkled his nose. “The Managers and the Admiralty, of course.” His eyes rolled over to Marc. “And the pirates that are foolish enough to traipse down the capital roads with his calling card on his face.”
Marc set a hand over his patch and chuckled. “I don’t have much of a choice. You told me yourself it couldn’t be hidden.”
“You’re damn right it can’t be hidden,” Eldric snapped as he stabbed the bottom of his bowl with his spoon. “It’s hard enough keeping that tempest trapped under that cloth. Trying to use more magic to hide it would only weaken its hold on your ugly face.”
Marc folded his arms over his chest. “I’m willing to try if you are.”
“Well, I’m not,” Eldric growled as he slammed his bowl down on the table. “You may be looking at a lot of years ahead of you, but I’d like to keep all the ones I have left.”
The pirate inclined his head. “We’ll do it your way, Eldric.”
“Of course you will,” our host confirmed as he marched over to a pile of books on the table in front of Marc. He pushed them out of the way, and a tower collapsed onto the floor, sending the tomes scattering. A cloud of dust puffed out, which he dutifully ignored as he cleared more of the table. “Now let’s get this over with before I send you back into that cage.”
Marc rolled up one sleeve and offered it to his old friend. “I’m ready for the offering whenever you are.”
Eldric grabbed his arm and pushed it down before staring Marc straight in the eyes. “You and I both know it won’t work twice. You need to offer something else.”
Marc dropped his arm onto his lap and frowned. “I thought you could just take some more.”
The professor scoffed. “And have nothing left of you? A shriveled corpse can’t pay me.” He paused and tapped his chin with one hand. “Unless I rummage through your pockets.”
“I don’t have the change you’re looking for,” Marc warned him.
Our host wrinkled his nose. “Then you’ll have to offer something else.”
“What else could you take?”
Eldric looked him over, and his attention fell on his left leg. He kicked his toes against Marc’s boot. “What about that?”
