Page 40 of Tragic Ink
“When this is all over, I’d very much like to visit Faerie,” I said. The words were out before I’d thought much about them. But as they settled in the space between us, I knew I’d meant them. Without Aelwyn, I had nothing tying me here. There was Rhys, but... I didn’t want to think about how complicated that felt just now. Or howuncertain.
Elsmed nodded. “Take a few days. Lay low. Stay with Rhys. We’re doing all we can to look into the portal and the deaths. The wards in this town won’t allow an intruder to go undetected for long, glamoured or not. Once this is resolved, we’ll discuss yourtrip.”
He rose, and Rhys did the same. Finally, I did too, thoughts racing at the idea that I might get to see where I came from. More importantly, I would get to meet mymother.
Elsmed opened the door and stood just outside in the hall. A clear signal this meeting wasover.
Rhys nodded at the elder as he passed through, heading back the way we’d come with heavy steps. I moved to do the same, but Elsmed stopped me, bendingclose.
“The hellhound was quite the creation, youknow.”
I went still. Again, trying to decipher his true meaning. “I... It’s awful the way it was used,” Isaid.
“True. Still... very creative. Andimpressive.”
“Thank you?” I couldn’t help that it came out like a question. No one had ever complimented me like this before. Like it was a gift rather than a curse. Like I should beproud.
“Don’t worry. She won’t bother you much longer,” he added, and I blinked, hope blossomingimmediately.
“How do you know?” I asked, too desperate for answers to care too much about implicating myself anyfurther.
He patted my arm before dipping his head and striding off, his steps completely silent against the stained hardwood. His driver-slash-secretary fell into line behind him. I stared after them, hoping like hell he wasright.
