Page 64 of The Dark Hiss of Magic
‘A Fetch?’ MacTire was astonished.
‘Yes. The council knows about silphium and it seems likely that the druids’ board of governors are aware of it too, given how enthusiastic they were about questioning that particular Fetch.’
MacTire gave a low whistle. ‘If one of those groups obtained genuine silphium, they’d embargo it for everyone else in Coldstream so they could control its distribution, and they’d grow their own magic and wealth in the process. It would shift the balance of power across the entire city – hell, maybe across the world.’
‘I don’t know if silphium exists, or if it’s in Coldstream,’ I said. ‘If it is, I certainly don’t know where it might be. But I need your word that you won’t speak about this to anyone else unless its existence is proven and it becomes public knowledge.’
MacTire eyed me. ‘You ask a lot. There are plenty of werewolf packs that would be just as interested in obtaining silphium as the witches and druids. We could write our own cheques for generations to come if we became its sole suppliers.’
I snorted. ‘Your life is complicated enough.’
He grinned. ‘True. Even if I wasn’t already in your debt, I have no interest in starting a war over a plant. The money would be nice, though.’
‘You’re already rich.’
MacTire’s white-toothed grin stretched wider. ‘Nobody will hear about silphium from me.’ I waited, keeping my gaze on him. ‘You can trust me, Kit.’
‘All the same, I’d like your word,’ I returned. And because I was prepared to play hard ball, I added, ‘You told me when Irescued your nephew that you’d do anything I wished to repay the debt.’
His smile disappeared at my heavy-handed approach. ‘Fine. You have my word that I won’t mention it to anyone.’ He gestured to Mallory. ‘Your turn.’
Mallory laughed easily. ‘You have my word, Kit – of course you do. For one thing I’m a squib, so silphium’s magical properties are no use to me.’ Alexander MacTire stared at her. ‘And I don’t need money. It doesn’t interest me.’
He looked sceptical. ‘Really,’ he said in a flat tone of voice.
She smiled serenely. ‘Really.’
I believed her even if he didn’t. ‘Thank you, both of you.’ I caught the waiter’s eye. ‘Please allow me to pay for dinner.’
‘Not a chance,’ MacTire growled. ‘I invited you here.’
‘Then let me pay for Mallory’s share of the wine.’
‘No.’
I glared at him in mock irritation and he returned the look.
The waiter moved smoothly over to our table. ‘Your evening has already been taken care of.’
We stared at him. ‘What do you mean?’ the werewolf alpha asked.
‘Compliments of Mr Vallese himself.’ He turned a half-inch and bowed to Mallory. ‘He hopes you enjoyed your evening, Ms Nash, and reminds you that you are always welcome to dine here with any of your friends.’ With that, he backed away.
I smothered a laugh; MacTire still looked confused. ‘Wait. What?’ he asked.
Mallory didn’t say anything but her eyes were dancing with amusement.
I patted his hand. ‘I need to get home. I promised my cats that I’d be back before midnight.’
Although my blood was fizzing with the anticipation of telling Thane what I’d learned about silphium, it was late andneither of us had slept well recently. If Thane was sensible, he’d already be curled up in bed with Tiddles snoozing beside him.
I decided to find him in the morning so we could track down Adrienne together; she was the one remaining person who might know where the silphium was. For now, I would jump on the first tram to Danksville, secure in the knowledge that there was a murderer behind bars and a motive in the bag.
Chapter
Twenty-Three
Iwoke up early, luxuriating in the warmth of my bed. All five cats had clearly forgiven me for my earlier transgression in staying out all night and had snuggled around my body. She Who Loves Sunbeams had even stretched a protective paw across my cheek to guard against any escape attempt.
