She shifted her grip to the utility knife on her belt, but shedidn’t draw it. The elves looked young and athletic, and their kind were known for strength and stamina, something she well knew from her sparring matches with Sylin.
“We are looking for the elf that you were seen with today.”
The speaker looked at her hand on the hilt of her knife but didn’t appear alarmed by it, nor did he draw a blade of his own. Still, there was a coolness to his gaze that brought back memories of confrontations with their kind, of the mercenaries and kingdom soldiers clashing on the battlefield with elven infantry and cavalry. She’d usually stayed back with the other archers and men firing cannons, but she’d ended up face-to-face with a pointy-eared enemy more than once over the years. Each time, she had been lucky to survive. Here, unlike during the war, she didn’t have any allies standing at her side.
“I don’t know where she went,” Rylana said, trying to set aside her unease. One of the city’s security pillars loomed on the other side of the fountain. It was unlikely the elves would attack her. “She didn’t want to buy an oven,” she added.
“I would think not,” the other elf murmured, speaking for the first time. “Bakingisn’t what she’s known for.”
Two hells, these people knew Sylin was an assassin. They probably knew she’d killed her own kind, and they wanted… what? Did the elves intend to kill Sylin because she’d fought on the other side during the war? Even though she was in a city where violence was forbidden?
“Will you step aside, or do I need to yell for the peacekeepers?” Rylana asked, aware of her heart beating faster, the thumps reverberating through her body. The effects of the dragon spices were fading, but she didn’t feel entirely herself and worried her reaction speed would be diminished.
“I think this female knows more than she’s implying,” the first speaker said.
“Undoubtedly. We should escort her to the enclave forquestioning.” The elf glanced at the pillar but reached for her, regardless.
Rylana sprang back quickly enough to avoid his grasp and drew her knife. “I’m not going with you.”
“She is needed at my diner,” came Jildarin's voice from the side. “She will return with me.”
Wearing his white chef’s garb and a cool expression, Jildarin strode into the intersection.
The elves turned without surprise, as if they’d sensed him coming. Maybe they had. Their kind had intrinsic magic and power. Not as much as a dragon possessed but far more than a simple human like Rylana.
“You will not impede her return,” Jildarin added, glancing toward Rylana's drawn knife. “She is my bookkeeper and too busy serving me to journey to your enclave.”
“Our pardon, Lord Dragon.” The elf who’d wanted to take Rylana for questioning bowed low to Jildarin, sweeping his cloak out wide. “She was prevaricating with me, and I had reason to suspect her of withholding information that I seek.”
“All humans prevaricate.” Jildarin came to stand beside Rylana and face the elves. “It is in their nature.”
“Having you come to my defense is a delight,” Rylana murmured.
“Yes,” Jildarin agreed.
“That is true, Lord Dragon. We will not impede your servant further.”
Rylana bristled, her grip involuntarily tightening on her knife. “I’m thebookkeeper, not a servant.”
“Is it possible, Lord Dragon,” the elf said, ignoring her, “thatyouhave seen the one whom we seek? A green-haired elven female who moves with the practiced step of a deadly predator?”
“I have seen that one,” Jildarin said as Rylana shook her head. “I do not know where she is located at this time.” Jildarin cockedhis head and considered the elves. “Do you desire a meal? I would offer it for free if you are willing to rate the dishes afterward.”
“Rate?” one mouthed, both looking at each other.
“He’s in need of elven palates to practice on,” Rylana said, though the last thing she wanted was for these two to come back to the diner with them.
“We thank you for your offer, Lord Dragon, but we are not hungry.”
The elves bowed to him and walked up the street, passing under the pillar on their way deeper into the city. Theyhadbeen heading toward the waterfront, but something about the exchange was causing them to alter course. They gave long looks back over their shoulders before disappearing from view, and Rylana worried she hadn’t seen the last of them. She worried even more for her friend.
“Are you done seeking to mate with me?” Jildarin asked, his gaze on Rylana instead of the elves.
“I…” She wanted to sayyes, but when she met his striking green eyes, another warm flush swept over her, along with the desire to step closer. “Maybe not entirely.”
“You took more soup than you were supposed to,” he said with certainty.
“It was really good. I couldn’t help myself.”
