Page 70 of Storms & Sacrifice
“Actually...” I look around the shop for a moment, spotting Khazak browsing the shelves against one wall. “There is one specific book I’d like to get my hands on. Can you get me a copy of the book about Khazak Steelrun? In Common if that exists?”
“Yes, I can.” Ny’s eyes go bright at the mention of that particular book. “I canalsoget you a copy of the steamy and very explicit romance novel loosely based on his and Vakesh’s relationship.”
“People actually write stuff like that?” It certainly sounds entertaining.
“You havenoidea, David. There’s a whole series, but only the first has been translated to Common so far.” He looks very pleased right now. “I’ll tell you what: if youpromiseto write to me and keep in touch after you leave, I’ll figure out how to send you the second book when it’s translated, wherever you are. Deal?” He holds out a hand for meto shake.
“Deal.” I shake his hand, promise sealed. “So, how you been doing?”
I don’t want to say anything that might come off as rude, but up close while we’ve been talking, I can see that Ny looks tired, which is not easy for an elf. He doesn’t look terrible, but I can tell he’s not getting enough sleep, and I have a good idea of why.
“I’m fine. A little rough the last few nights, I guess.” He means since the bombings. “The attacks... They bring up some bad memories of my mom’s death, which just makes me miss her a lot. I wish my dad still lived nearby.”
“I’m sorry.” I don’t really know what else to say. I just wish I could help him feel better.
“It’s okay. I wrote him a letter, but I probably won’t hear back for a few more days. He lives pretty far up north now.” Aww, I just want to give him a hug. “I think I understand why he wanted to move. At least I still have Ragnar here.”
He says things are fine, but I can hear the sadness in his voice. Not even just sadness but fear. I want to tell him that he’s safe, that we’re going to catch who did this, but I don’t know that for certain, and I don’t wanna make Nylan relive all those memories. It strengthens my resolve about leaving before this is through. With my order placed, and after a strong hug goodbye, the two of us bid Nylan a good afternoon and let him get back to work.
When we get back to the station, the first thing Khazak does is check for a response from Councilman Murbank to his letter. There of course isn’t one, and I can feel the displeasure coming off of him in waves as we walk back to his office. It does seem kind of weird that someone would ignore a message from the captain of the city’s law enforcement, but maybe it’s not. Councilman Murbank is one of the few people in town with more authority than Khazak, which is only gonna cause us more problems.That settles it.
“I don’t think I’m going to be ready to leave in two weeks,” I tell Khazak as he writes a second message to the councilman. “It doesn’t feel right leaving in the middle of this, not without stopping whoever is responsible.”
“That is very noble, David, but unnecessary.” Khazak is still holding his pen. “You have more than earned your freedom as will your friends. I do not think they are likely going to want to extend their stays in the city after they arereleased.”
“Then I’ll catch up with them later.” I shrug and cross my arms. “I’m not leaving when the city isliterallyunder attack. I have friends here. If I left, all I’d ever do is wonder if you wereall okay.”
“I suppose there is nothing I can do to change your mind?” Glad he’s gotten used to my stubborn nature by now.
“Nope.” I shake my head. “You’re stuckwith me.”
“Then we will just have to make sure to solve this mystery quickly.” He smiles and nods to himself before going back to writing. “Starting with you making anotherdelivery.”
“Another request?” I ask, referring to the letter.
“Not anymore. Now it is a demand.”That’s another one of those words that sounds hot when he says it.“One I still fully expect to be ignored, which is why first thing in the morning I will be going down to his office myself to speak with him in person.”
That’s the kind of directness I can get behind. By the time I’m finished with the delivery, I’m already looking forward to the morning.
Chapter 15
“This is what we should have done in the first place,” Ragnar says to Khazak as the three of us enter the tribal hall and head for Murbank’s office. “Sending him those messages just gave him more time to hide whatever it is he’s doing. We shouldn’t even be here; we should be searching his home or the shipyard while he’s not expecting us.”
“I need to at leastappearthat I am trying to do this properly, Deputy,” Khazak grumbles back.
I get what he’s saying. Murbank is someone with enough power to strike back if he wants to. But Ragnar’s also right—if Murbank knows we’re onto him, we can’t afford to waste time and risk him hiding whatever evidence we need to find. Plus, if he’s not already aware of what we know, I have a bad feeling he’s going to suspect something what with the captainandone of his deputies personally coming to interview himtogether.
I’ve been thinking about this almost non-stop since yesterday, especially after seeing Nylan. My eyes and ears are open, looking and listening for anything that might prove useful. Khazak takes the lead as we approach the office’s double doors, Ragnar and I flanking him on either side.
“Drepa lat,” Murbank’s secretary announces when the doors open, then she notices who it is. “I am very sorry, sirs, but the councilman is unavailable at the moment. I will be happy to pass along a messagefor you.”
“I am sure you will, ma’am, but I am afraid this cannot wait.” Khazak starts to walk toward the door to Murbank’s office proper.
“Sir, you cannot just walk in there!” Murbank’s secretary stands when it becomes apparent that Khazak is going to ignore her.
“Given the gravity of the situation, I am sure he will understand.” He prepares to push past her, Ragnar and me right behind him.
“The councilman isverybusy and—”
