“My two brothers think I might hurt myself guarding the royal family,” one said.“Father fears I might die during a sortie.Mother championed me and forced them to stand down.”
“Scarlett, will you have ale or mead?”Kane asked.“And are you hungry?I am ordering snack food to have with my drink.”
“Surprise me,” Scarlett said.“Trying new things is fun.Can I give you credits to pay for my share?”
“Daenys told me to pay for you,” Kane said.
“I can’t accept your generosity.”
“She will refund me,” Kane said.“You and the dragon are helping us and are our guests.”
Scarlett nodded but didn’t ask questions.Instead, she soaked up information.One thing was becoming apparent—the meteor storm hadn’t been an accident.Her gut told her the Elevenoss people had manufactured the tempest to meet her and Ransom.
Scarlett spent an enjoyable evening with Kane and his friends, and when the inn closed, Kane escorted her to the single women’s quarters.He used a band on his wrist to open a wooden door bearing the number 143.Another flick of his wrist switched on the illumination.
“The lights and controls will respond to your voice when I program them for you.Speak into here.Say the words, ‘I enjoy Kane’s company and want to see him again.’”
“Really?”
Kane grinned.“Central control must record your voice.”
“Kane has a big ego,” Scarlett said and tapped his nose.
Kane chuckled.“That should do it.All you need to do is say, ‘lights off’ or ‘water on’.There is a list of instructions on the bedside cabinet.Or I can stay.”
“Thanks for the offer,” Scarlett said as she considered the implications.Her feline snarled, remonstrating and declaring her opposition to the idea.The truth—she’d liked Kane, but he didn’t fare well against her attraction to Ransom.That kiss.Their kiss.It hovered in her thoughts, refusing to leave.“Maybe another time.”
“Fair enough.”Kane gave her a quick hug and stepped away.“I’ll contact you on Ione Island once our next mission ends.You can show me around.”
“That’s a promise,” Scarlett agreed.“I had fun.Thanks for welcoming me.”
With a wave, Kane left, and Scarlett thought about going to bed.Her feline released a rumble of objection.“All right.We’ll check on Ransom before we attempt to sleep.”
By following the long connecting corridor, she found Mistress Aelene’s house easily enough.She lifted her hand, ready to rap her knuckles for entry, when the door flew open.
Mistress Aelene held her finger to her lips.
“Is he asleep?”Scarlett whispered.
Mistress Aelene stood back in a silent invitation for Scarlett to enter.“I gave him a sleeping draft.”
“How sick is he?Will he recover?”
Mistress Aelene’s sharp gaze speared her.“He’s a fighter, and I’ve treated him as best I can.”She sighed.“Only time will tell.”
“He should’ve stayed at home and recuperated,” Scarlett said.
“No, he needs to follow this through for the benefit of everyone.”The woman pressed her lips together.
Scarlett waited, but she uttered nothing further.Frustrating, but gradually, she was learning more, even if none of the pieces gave her a full picture.“Is there anything I can do to help him?”
Mistress Aelene hesitated.She frowned.“Watch him closely.Help where you can.That is the best any of us can do while the enemy is watching.”
It was Scarlett’s turn to frown.Nothing made sense.She should corner Ransom and demand that he share his plans and motives.For if there was one thing she understood, it was that collecting raw and precious stones was a convenient excuse.Ransom’s part in this journey was far different and dangerous, given how the Elevenoss race tiptoed around giving her facts.Perhaps she should’ve let Kane seduce her.It wasn’t too late.He’d pointed out his quarters during their tour.
“Thank you.I’ll do that.”Scarlett said.
“He’s a brave man, and we owe him much,” Mistress Aelene stated.
