Page 79 of Made

“Ah. I see.” When Kagan offered nothing more, she prompted, “This is the part where you begin your tale, Sephalian.”

While Kagan was faithfully reciting the details of the story of how the Cardinals snatched Esmerelda and were holding her hostage, Keir and Killian flew up the opposite side of the mountain, shifted, and hid behind a natural rock formation. Thousands of years before, a nine-hundred-foot tsunami had pushed the boulder to the top of the cliff. When the waters receded, it was left behind as a testament to nature’s raw power. Keir and Killian were close enough to hear what was being said, but hopefully, not close enough to alert the sphinx to their presence.

When the tale reached its end, under the paw of the storied sphinx, she said, “My. What we have here is a dilemma.” Since Kagan didn’t know how to reply to that, he remained silent. At length, she pulled her head back in a gesture that could mean she’d made up her mind about something. “Tell you what. I like you, Sephalian. And even rarities such as myself like a good love story. There’s that, and there’s also the fact that I’m not happy about the Cardinals involving me and my eggs inthis without consulting me first. So, this is what I will do. I have to offer a riddle. I’ve a reputation to protect, you understand.”

“I do.” Kagan nodded solemnly like he understood perfectly well.

“I will pose a riddle. One that youshouldbe able to answer. If you get it right, I will allow you to leave with the pieces of an egg broken by accident one or two ages ago. The Cardinals don’t know about the broken egg, which means they intended for you to try and steal one of my good eggs. I’m feeling happy that they’ll have met their match. You’ll solve the riddle and return with the pieces of an egg. That should fulfil the terms of the challenge without harm to me or my family.”

“’Tis very kind of you,” he said.

“Would you like to consult with your brothers?” Her eyes slid slowly to the right. “They think they’re hidden behind that boulder over there. But of course that’s ridiculous. If it was that easy to get past me, this mountaintop would be crawling with tourists.” Kagan doubted that the sphinx would ever have to worry about tourists, but he was a quick study, learning diplomacy by the minute. And, as everyone knows, the most important part of diplomacy is knowing when to speak and when to stay quiet. She chuckled. “Why don’t you pick the brother you like least and make him answer my riddle. If he gets it wrong, I’ll eat him and not you. That will give you two extra chances. What do you think?”

“Well, I… Uh, I… Ah…”

“Oh, for gods’ sake. Relax. I won’t eat them. For one thing, I’m not especially hungry at the moment.” She pulled her paws away, thereby releasing Kagan, extended the claws on her right paw and looked at them like she was in West Hollywood deciding on how much to give for a manicure tip. “Maybe I’m enjoying myself a spish too much.” Turning her head toward the rocks once again, she said, “You might as well come outwhere I can see you. I’ve heard everything the three of you have said since you arrived.”

All three lions immediately ran through their recollections of everything they’d said, including the childish squabbling. Had they known they were being surveilled, they’d almost surely have taken care to sound more mature.

Keir looked at Killian, who sighed, waggled his head, and stood planning to make his way closer to Kagan and the sphinx. Keir grabbed his sleeve. “What if it’s a trick? You know the stories. She’s good at trickery.”

Upon hearing that, the sphinx laughed. It sounded more like a roar than an expression of humor, but she appeared to be having fun.

“No’ sure we have anything to bargain with,” Killian said.

Deciding his brother was right, Keir stepped out from behind the boulder.

“You all look the same to me,” said the sphinx. “Can you tell each other apart, or is it just me?”

“We’re genetically identical,” Kagan said. “But aye, we can tell each other apart.”

“Kagan is always serious,” Killian said.

“Killian is always drunk,” Kagan said.

Killian looked dumbstruck. “‘Tis no’ the least true, you bloody blaggard. And you’d say this to me when I’ve come on this doomsday mission to watch your back?”

“Alright,” Kagan offered. “Killian likes altered states and seeks them out often.”

“’Tis a sight better than what ye said before.”

“What about him?” The sphinx’s eyes slid to Keir.

“Oh, he’s the enforcer. It’s a high-level dignitary position on the fae court. No’ only that. He’s married to the magistrate.”

“Magistrate?” The sphinx’s head jerked up.

“I’ve heard of this court.”

“Many have,” Kagan said.

“Hmmm. Well. Decide when you’re ready to hear your riddle,” she ordered.

“How much time will we have to discuss my answer before I give it?” Kagan was still looking for some helpful angle.

“No more than ten years,” she shrugged off-handedly and began examining the claws on the other paw.

With raised brows, Kagan said, “More than fair.” As he walked over to Keir and Killian, Keir noticed Kagan was rubbing his thumb over one of his bottom ribs.

---