Page 101 of Rogue Elves of Ardani

“What’s going on?”Aruna said, having understood none of the Ardanian exchanged. He and his human trailed along behind them.

“Maybe you should have your human translate.”

“Just tell me, you ass.”

“Be ready for a fight,”Vaara summarized.

They all gathered in the tiny antechamber in front of the main door, shutting the inner door behind them. Novikke stared at nothing, blinded by the darkness. She had Zaiur’s sword in her hand at her side. Vaara supposed he should give her credit for coming to help when she could have stayed behind in safety. Or maybe he shouldn’t—maybe it was just that she mindlessly followed Aruna everywhere he went, like a pet.

Nero gave them a nod, peered out the tiny window, then opened the door. Vaara raised his sword, his fingers white-knuckled on its hilt.

A pale, dark-haired woman stood before them, blinking behind round glasses.

“Oh. Hello,” Sarna said. She looked up at all of them, her eyes going to their four faces and then to the four blades in their hands, and for once, she looked appropriately nervous. “There are… a lot of you, aren’t there?”

Vaara lowered his sword a little. “What are you doing here? Is Crow with you?”

“No, she’s not. In fact—”

“How did you find this place?” Nero demanded loudly, waving his sword in her direction. She stiffened. “Tell me.”

“Magic,” she said, as if it were obvious.

Nero frowned at her. “What magic?”

“You shouldn’t take it personally. I’m sure whoever put your wards in place did their best. It’s just that I’m pretty good at finding things.”

“Why are you here, Sarna?” Vaara said again. He held out an arm to hold Nero at bay.

She gave him a thoughtful look. “You remembered my name. I didn’t think you were paying attention.”

“I was.” He was growing increasingly worried. He could only think of a few reasons why she would have come looking for him, of all people. “Please tell me why you’re here.”

“I was looking for you,” she said. “I think something has happened to Crow.”

Vaara’s gut twisted sharply, and not just from the binding. “What do you mean?”

“I think she’s been taken somewhere. Involuntarily.”

“What happened?”

“She was supposed to meet with me, and she didn’t show. So I took a look in my mirrors and she was… well, she was someplace else, and she didn’t look pleased.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Novikke muttered. “She’s been kidnapped, now? Is this a frequent diversion for the two of you?”

“Where?” Vaara asked.

“I can locate her. But I can’t ask the watch for help. You know that she’s involved in some not-quite-legal business, and—”

“I’ll go,” Vaara said.

She looked relieved. “Oh. Good. I thought you’d—”

He was already turning to go back inside. “Wait here.”

Nero caught his arm. “Is this a good idea?”he said to Vaara in his badly accented Varai. “Who is she?”

Vaara pulled his arm away. “It’s fine.”

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