Page 84 of Bound By Darkness

I rolled a carrot around on the tray. “He wanted me to be bait for the rebels to protect the city, but it seems we were too late.”

“Bait? And you agreed to this?”

“I did.”

“Why?”

My eyes lifted to his. Was this an interrogation? Was this how I was supposed to play cordial? It was beginning to grate on my nerves, but if I lashed out, what would be the consequences for me or Ivan?

“I have a deal with him,” I said as I broke silence, my fork slicing through the carrot. “His help for mine.”

He leaned back, his arms resting on the table. “Then why are you still here? If you can’t complete your task for him, what does Laias have left to offer you—a woman with elemental casting?”

He knew, too. Had Ivan told him about my casting? Why I was still here at Laias?

Brushing hair from my face, I squared my shoulders. “You have a library here I’m interested in. I want to learn more about my casting and why I’ve had it since birth. Ivan mentioned there might be books containing information about me… about this casting I have.”

Chiron scratched his jaw, his beard shifting in the faelight. “We did have such a library, but the rebels burned it in their attack. I can’t guarantee anything is left standing, but you’re free to roam the grounds.”

“You’re… okay with me going?” I’d expected to lay all my cards on the table before he’d agreed. After all, I was a stranger in his city.

Chiron grinned, his eyes brightening. “Ivan made averyconvincing testimony for you during our meeting this morning.”

Ivan… Ivan had mentioned me? He’d convinced Chiron to let me go to the library before I’d even spoken to him? Heat crept into my cheeks at the thought.

“Naturally, I wished to speak with you in person to confirm his statements.”

I silently thanked the Mother for keeping my tongue silent. If I would have lashed out, who knows if I’d been given the opportunity to search the library?

“It seems he was correct. You’re quite spirited for someone who’s been imprisoned for years.”

“He said I was spirited?” What a dumb question to ask back, but I wanted to know what else he had said about me in that meeting.

“More than a fire sprite.” His eyes roamed over my face and I knew he’d spotted the slight pink hue to my cheeks, but he mentioned nothing of the sort as hecontinued. “Whatever you’ve done, that boy trusts you enough to plead in your stead.”

Chiron lifted his staff as he pointed it east. “The library is that way, past the med tents near the sea cliffs. I hope you find what you are searching for, either by books or with someone else.” He grinned, his eyes flicking left as they landed on Ivan. “I must get going, but it was a pleasure to put a face to the name.”

I gave him a simple nod as my eyes stared at Ivan as he walked toward the main square, his shoulders taut. He seemed uneasy at the destruction, at the people who stared at him as he passed. Silver flicked to the left as his eyes met mine.

A smile immediately illuminated his face as he headed to me, my heart racing faster than I’d like. The faelight kissed his skin and hair and after everything he’d said to Chiron?—

He plopped beside me, his hands folding on the table. A bump to the shoulder was almost too much as I flicked my eyes to the empty tray.

“I saw Chiron leaving. Did you talk to him?”

“Yeah,” I said, pushing the tray back. “He’s letting me go to the library.”

“Good. I’m sure there has to be something that can tell you more about your casting.”

“You helped me, didn’t you?” I said, my eyes afraid to glance into his.

“Maybe,” he said, a slight hum to his tone. “I’m more than an assassin you know. I can handle some negotiations,” he teased.

My eyes flicked to the silver I’d tried to avoid as I turned to face him. “Thank you.”

Ivan’s smile faltered for a second as he scratched his neck. “It was nothing. You were willing to risk entering hell. A few books mean nothing,” he countered and I could have swornthe pointed tips of his ears were pink as he shifted to face me. “Are you busy tonight?” he blurted.

I blinked, the question freezing my thoughts. “Am I busy?”

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