Page 58 of Leda's Log

“If everything is perfect, you won’t have any problem if we look around a little.” I winked at him. “For the sake of all the toilet paper.”

He shot me an annoyed look. “Yes, by all means, waste your time as well as mine. None of us has anything important to do whatsoever.” Every word dripped with sarcasm.

But he showed us to the treasury anyway. Then, while we took a look around, he just stood there with his arms crossed and his jaw clenched, watching us with an air of irked indulgence.

Sierra went up to him. “Hello.”

“Go away. I don’t like children.”

Her eyes darted to the name on his jacket. “You’re General Fireswift.”

“Congratulations, small one. You’ve learned to read.”

“I’ve heard about you. People say you’re grumpy,” she observed.

“Yes.”

“Why?” she asked.

“Because I do not like it when people waste my time.”

“Why?”

“My time is valuable.”

“Why?”

He glanced down at her, looking rather pompous. “I’m an angel.”

“Why?”

“Because the Legion of Angels made me one.”

“Why?”

“Because I am very good at my job.”

“Why?”

“Some people are simply more competent than others.”

“Why?”

“Incessant child, do you know any other words?” he hissed.

“Sure.” She shrugged. “When I need them, I’ll use them. Words are like weapons. You need to choose them wisely.” She arched her brows. “Do you choose your words wisely, General?”

He stared at her like he was seeing her for the very first time. “You are a very odd child.”

She nodded, grinning. “I know.”

It surprised me, seeing how content they both looked in this conversation. Then again, maybe it wasn’t so surprising after all. Sierra loved to ask questions. And Fireswift had always been happiest when he was the center of attention. He liked to have people hanging on his every word, peppering him with questions. I suppose he saw it as an invitation to wax poetic about himself.

“Sorry to interrupt this enthralling conversation, but I need Sierra’s help,” I told them.

“See you later, Gramps,” Sierra told him with a wink, then followed me to the back wall.

“This is where it happened.” She pressed her palms against the smooth wall. “There was an explosion.” She walked, dragging her hand across the wall. “Here. This is where the thief entered the building.”

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