Page 7 of Ties of Frost

“Someone who claims to have information on a murder.” Internally, I cringed. Why had I told him that much? I wanted to do this alone. “I was just going to look for them, and I won’t have you scaring them away. Shoo.”

“Why would they want to meet here? Now? Zee, I feel strongly unsettled in my spirit about this.”

That gave me pause. While I wouldn’t rank Kyrundar as the most pious person I knew, he was still devout, and everyone knew that when a member of a holy order felt a strong leading or premonition about something, you listened. Iskyr could guide and warn all people, but especially those who had dedicated their lives to his service. Between Kyrundar’s unease and my own, perhaps I should abandon this meeting.

Kyrundar stepped forward. Weak moonlight glinted on the hilts of the two swords strapped to his back and glittered on the aquamarines dangling from his ears. “Let me come with you.”

I huffed a dry laugh. “Oh, I see. You haven’t had a premonition. You just want to steal my victory again.”

He frowned. “I don’t steal your victories. I’ve never once claimed sole credit for anything we did together, andI’ve certainly never taken credit for anything you did on your own.”

“No, you just insist on attaching your name to mine every chance you get.” I bit back my theory that he was responsible for that awful Kyrmaris moniker. “I don’t have time for this. My informant has already missed one meeting.”

“And missing a meeting then calling anotherhereisn’t suspicious?”

I hesitated, unwilling to confess I shared his misgivings. “Someone with political power might be behind the murder I’m investigating. Whoever this witness is, he or she is afraid of being seen. They’re skittish, and—”

“Then I’m definitely coming with you. I can help.” Kyrundar walked past me into the ruins, sending tendrils of ice ahead of him along the ground. The magic’s faint pale-blue glow illuminated his path.

Help, right.That’s what my mother had claimed every time she’d tried to force me into her perception of wyveri greatness or criticized my choices.I’m helping you. It’s for your own good.

A growl rumbled in my chest as my dragon fire stirred. I shoved it down and strode after him. “How, exactly?”

“I’m a more reassuring presence and better with people than you are.” He flashed a winsome smile as if he hadn’t just insulted me.

He was right, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t offended.

“Fine, but only because I’m done wasting time. Be quiet and stay out of my way for once.”

“Oh please. When have I ever gotten in your way?”

No occasions jumped to mind, but I refused to admit that. “We don’t have time to make a list.”

Kyrundar chuckled. “You can’t think of any instances because we’re a great team.”

“Oh, hush.” I tromped past him, then realized I was making too much noise and softened my steps.

We slunk through the looming ruins, nothing but the occasional bird cry and the whisper of vegetation in the wind disrupting the silence.

My skin prickled, and I hated that I wasn’t sure if it was because of the irritating man at my side, the eeriness of Grivolen, or a premonition.

A new smell snagged my attention, and I held out my hand to halt the ice elf. A person…or people? The scent was weak amid the general stench. The whiff of elf might just be Kyrundar. I closed my eyes and took a deeper breath through my nose. Definitely at least one human, somewhere ahead of us. I concentrated on my hearing.

“Someone is ahead,” I murmured, my eyes still closed. “Possibly multiple people. Sounds of breathing are muffled, like they’re behind something.” If I shifted, I might be able to get a better reading, but the remaining walls were a little close for my di’yar. Besides, my sense of smell would improve with terrible consequences. I’d be trying to get the reek of this place out of my nose for days.

The soft rasp of steel against leather indicated Kyrundar drawing his swords.

I opened my eyes. “They might not be hostile.”

He lifted an eyebrow. “Is that why you have your sword out?”

I didn’t dignify that with a response. “Just—”

“Stay out of your way?”

If I detected a little hurt in his tone, I ignored it. Following the scents and sounds, I padded around a mostly intact wall and proceeded toward a low, square barrier. At one point, it must have been a smaller outbuilding. The scents became stronger, and I definitely heard at least three breathing patterns, but I still couldn’t see anyone. That was impossible—

Something moved ahead, and I swung my sword up into guard. A figure emerged from the ground. The human woman wrung her hands and took a step closer.

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