I adjust my shoulders. “She learned the names of several lords and some of Rholker’s inner workings, and it has already helped us begin to make a plan. Of course, the fight she started has caused complications. We need to know what those are.”
She scoffs and pulls out two books from her dress. “I bet she has barely scratched the surface. She gave these to me before we left. She’ll be wanting them back.”
“Thank you. I will give them to her.” Melisa’s words give me pause. “What do you mean ‘scratched the surface’?”
Ra'Salore looks at her as she swishes her body into a demure pose.
“As a comfort woman, I know many men. My master… loves to talk.” Every word is innuendo-laced.
“Would you share that information?” I ask.
She smiles. “I would do more than that. I would go back as your spy.”
I shake my head just as Vann and Ra'Salore start to protest.
“Absolutely not,” I say.
She frowns.
“If you love women so much, you must trust us to know what is best. I can do this—if it worries you, then let me bring one of your men.” She points a lazy finger at Ra'Salore. “Ra’Sa would make a handsome human.”
Ra’sa?She doesn’t know how to create a proper nickname, but Ra’Salore makes no move to correct her. I find it strange, but I push the thoughts to the side.
“Lord Ra’Salore detests the overworld. We will find someone else,” I begin to point to Vann or Keio when Ra’Salore turns to me with narrowed eyes.
“No need to search. I would do it, My King.”
My hand stills, then drops back down to my side. “You would volunteer to leave again? The last time you left, you hated every second of it.”
Ra’Salore scoffs.
“Give me one reason why you should go,” I say.
“I understand I was unpleasant, but now I have experience walking the land above. Besides, she pointed at me when she asked.”
Melisa smirks. “That I did. He seems good with his magic.”
I drag a hand over my face. “I suppose now we should figure out how we are going to hide a seven foot Enduar with a tail.”
As if on cue, Thorne steps forward from the shadows. I gritmy teeth seeing Mrath’s assassin so close to me. “Pardon the intrusion.”
My lips press into a tight seam. “Anyone else hiding?” I call into the tunnel, frustrated.
“No need to get heated. Mrath sent me here to keep an eye on you. It seems like this delicious little human has an in with the giant lords. She’s even recruited a big blue bodyguard.” He grins, looking at a scowling Ra’Salore. “Glyni can glamour him into a human without any problem, but it would only last a few days at most. He’d need to bring some of the magic with him, and the mission should be short.”
We need every advantage and ally we can muster. And Melisa was wise with what she said earlier—my need to protect can’t snuff out her talent.
“Very well. You will leave as soon as you are ready,” I take another step forward. “But you will not be able to get the Fuegorra. Not yet.”
Melisa nods. “Something to look forward to then.”
I look back down at the grotesque message, feeling the regret pile up in my insides.
“What shall we do with his body?”
“Bury it. Burn it. Cast it in the sea,“ Melisa says over her shoulder before she walks back into the entrance of Enduvida. “Humans are not quite so sentimental about their mortal vessels. We spent too much time being treated as beasts.”
Chapter 27
