Page 29 of A Hint of Delirium

No. Ansel does not have a last name, I wanted to tell her. But I was playing human and couldn’t give myself away that quickly.

“Smith,” I replied smoothly, giving her the most generic last name I could think of.

She pursed her lips and then nodded. “I’m Marisol Santos. How can I help you?”

I couldn’t stop the shock from showing on my face. I hadn’t expected her to be a woman practically on her death bed.

“May I come in?” I asked politely.

She sized me up and down for a moment and nodded, opening the door wider and exhaling loudly as if the movement alone was too much for her to handle.

I stepped inside and closed the door behind me with a soft click, then followed Marisol to her living room. She waved for me to have a seat, so I sat on a floral sofa that was covered by clear plastic that crinkled when I sat down.

“Would you like some coffee or tea?” she asked politely. Though it was obvious she didn’t often entertain visitors, she was cordial.

I waved her off. “No, no, I’m fine. I just wanted to ask you some questions.” I motioned for her to sit down.

When she did, she gave another loud sigh, taking deep breaths as if our little interaction had exhausted her. “What can I do for you, Mr.Smith?”

I wasn’t one to beat around the bush, and since she really didn’t have the energy to run away, I figured I might as well be honest. “I know you were part of the Ancient Order of Leviathans,” I declared.

If she was surprised, she didn’t show it. She sat there calmly and scrutinized my face, waiting for me to continue.

“I know you’re the one holding the orb,” I said, quickly adding, “I’m not looking to take it away. I’m a guard for the Seelie Queen, sent here to protect you from the Unseelie. They’ve been searching for it for decades. It’s not safe for you and …” I looked at her, unsure if I should continue but deciding to plow ahead, “and from the looks of it, you’re nearing death and soon the orb won’t have a host. It will no longer be safe.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Are you done?”

I nodded warily, surprised by her flippant tone.

“I do not host the orb you seek. You’ve wasted a trip.” She stood and waved her arm to usher me to the door.

“Wait, what?” I stopped her. “You’re the last name on the registry, listed as the last owner of the orb. How …”

She twisted her mouth to the side. “How did you get your hands on the registry, anyway? That artifact is supposed to be secured in our home base. No one would randomly give it to you,” she accused.

“Nothing is one hundred percent secure,” I replied stonily. “Which is why I was sent here to protect you from the Unseelie.”

She sighed heavily, exhausted but irritated by my presence. “Like I said,Mr. Smith, I don’t have the orb you seek.” She reached up to her neck and pressed a button on a long necklace she wore. It looked like something you’d see on one of those Life Alert commercials.

“You had a daughter, didn’t you?” I concluded that if she didn’t have the orb, then it was because it had already been passed on. “Where is she?”

“How should I know?” she mumbled and sat down in a huff, clearly exhausted from standing and doing all this talking.

“She’s your daughter, of course you should know!” I said angrily. “Where is she? She’s in danger!”

The old woman sucked on her teeth. “That girl ran away almost twenty-six years ago, and no one’s seen or heard from her since. Trust me – ifwecouldn’t find her,youwon’t, either.”

“You’d be surprised what I’m capable of,” I growled.

She snorted. “I’m sure. But even an Unseelie couldn’t find her, and he spent a solid decade searching.”

An Unseelie? Did she mean …?

“Has anyone else come here asking questions?”

She shook her head. “Just you.” She leaned back and sighed, as if preparing herself.

“What was that button you pressed?” I asked, suddenly cautious.

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