Page 29 of Shield of Fire

An insistent ringing woke me gods only knew how long later. I groped the bedside table for the phone, then opened an eye and glared somewhat blearily at the time. Seven o’clock. I’d slept for a solid six hours, but it felt like I’d only had two or three.

Then I realized it was Cynwrig calling and hit the answer button. “Hey,” I said softly, “How’s things going?”

“It’s been a hell of a day, but I guess the worst bit is now over.”

Meaning no doubt that all the relatives had been contacted. “What about the lady I pulled out of the rubble? How is she?”

“She’s still alive. I believe she wishes to thank you for saving her life.”

“There’s no need?—”

“It is a Ljósálfar custom, and it would cause a loss of face if you refused it.”

Which just went to show how much I didn’t know about the Ljósálfar, despite having been with Mathi for so long.

“Fine, I’ll meet her when she’s up and about. Did you managed to put the flames out?”

“It took the employment of a witch but yes, we did. The building is structurally and physically destroyed though. What remains will have to be pulled down.”

“Shame, because it was a lovely old building.” I hesitated. “The elf tried to hit Kaitlyn’s place this morning.”

“I take it you stopped him?”

“Yes.” I quickly updated him and then added, “Who in your building would have had dealings with either Kaitlyn or perhaps even Gilda?”

“It’s doubtful any of them had dealings with Gilda, unless they employed either her or her relatives.” He made no attempt to hide the contempt in his voice. Cynwrig’s family might have deep dealings with the black-market underworld but that didn’t mean they held the servant class of elf in any higher regard than the Ljósálfar did. “That doesn’t mean there wasn’t some other connection, such as to those who killed her.”

“Who we can’t interview because they’re dead, and their lawyer is currently missing.”

“Indeed, but one of our tenants—Afran Eadevane—has in the past had some dealings with Carla Wilson. I’ve arranged to talk to his family this evening.”

“Which is why you’re ringing. You have to cancel our date.”

“Sadly, yes.”

“It’s actually good timing, because I need to talk to Eljin about something Kaitlyn said today, anyway.”

“Anything I need to know about?”

There was the slightest edge in his voice. The man did not like me so easily switching attention to the competition.

“Apparently he went there asking about the shield.”

“And you’ll use your pixie magic to ensure he’s being truthful?”

“If it is necessary, yes.”

“Then I’ll see you tomorrow at the council meeting?”

“It’s not like I actually have a choice of not being there.”

He chuckled softly. “I guess not.”

I was briefly tempted to warn him about the council switching him out as my handler but resisted. A promise was a promise, after all. And besides, as much as I enjoyed his company, as much as I wanted more than just a sexual relationship, I was also well aware that I couldn’t allow myself to get too caught up in the glory that was him and me. That could only ever end in heartbreak.

Mathi, for all his flirting, was far safer for my heart to be around, and that allowed plenty of room for Eljin.

If he wasn’t a bad guy, that was.

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