Page 38 of Shield of Fire

“Then don’t place all your bets on the full hoard being recovered,” I snapped back. “Look, I don’t give a fuck what you lot might have decided in the past or even recent years. It’s simply another avenue of research—those records could very well hold the clues as to how someone managed to access the inaccessible. And in case you weren’t aware, examining ancient texts is how most relics are actually found.”

Lots of scowls came my way. They really didn’t appreciate being talked to in such a manner. I resisted the impulse to grin, gave them a polite nod instead, and headed out.

Two chairs scraped—suggesting that both Mathi and Cynwrig intended to follow me—but the rat shifter said sharply, “Sit. We have other urgent matters to discuss.”

I hoped one of them was my access to the records, but as the rat shifter had advised, I wasn’t pinning any immediate hopes on it.

By the time I got to the ground floor, it was raining again. I pulled my coat hood up over my hair and then shoved my hands in my pockets and headed home. I’d never minded walking in the rain, but at least now I understood why. Having a minor storm god for a father made rain and storms feel like home.

I was halfway to my physical home when my phone rang, the tone telling me it was Lugh.

I hit the answer button and said, “Hey, brother mine, what’s up?”

“Just thought I’d let you know we’re on the way back.”

I frowned. “I thought you were there until Monday?”

“We were, but Darby got a call from the hospital saying they were extremely short staffed and asking if she could fill a shift on Monday.”

“She should have said no.”

“I did,” she said in the background. “They pleaded—and offered triple time.”

“You need the sex more than you need the money,” I commented.

“Oh, I’ve had plenty of sex over the last couple of days. My lady bits are extremely happy, let me tell you.”

Lugh groaned. “Seriously, ladies, is there nothing you two consider sacred or off-limits?”

“That would be a big fat no,” I said, with a laugh.

“And you knew this going into our relationship,” Darby added.

“I just never expected...” He paused, and I had an image of him waving a hand. “You know, the details being placed on the table.”

“Oh, we’ve never discussed the nitty gritty,” she replied, “but I’m sure we could?—”

“No,” he growled. “Just no.”

She laughed, a warm sound I echoed. “How did the dwarf hunting go?”

There was a brief pause before he said, “How did you know I was dwarf hunting? Did you see it in the Eye?”

“No. It came from a deep understanding of how your mind works and the fact that you would never let such an opportunity pass you by, no matter how much great sex was in the offing.”

“He does live and breathe relic hunting, doesn’t he?” Darby observed dryly. “I swear the man works on problem solving in his sleep—what little sleep he actually gets, that is.”

“Well, you’ve certainly not helped the situation when it comes to that,” he mused. “Not that I’m complaining, mind.”

“I should hope not, given how often you initiate?—”

“I did manage to track Holgan down,” he said over the top of her. “He was rather annoyed at me.”

“He was annoyed at you?” I repeated, in disbelief. “Why?”

“Apparently us not leaving the sword in his car resulted in him not receiving the promised lucrative payment.”

“Did you point out that he was basically double crossing us and didn’t deserve to be paid?”

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