Page 90 of Kiss of Fire

“How romantic,” Magda said drily.

“Romance is not an option.”

Magda looked at him sharply. His tone was unusual.

“Why are you here, Lord Shadeed?”

“I wish to uphold my end of the bargain. To find her mother.”

“Aelah? I see.” The kobold lapsed into silence. Shade smelled the sweet tobacco smoke from her pipe as it drifted into the darkening sky.

“Well?” he prompted. “Can you help me? Do you have any idea where she might be?”

“Why do you thinkIwould know?”

“Because you were the last person to see her. And she confided in you. She sent you pictures of herself, did she not? She trusted you.”

“She trusted me to keep her secrets.”

“The secret is already out. By now, Salaq and his cronies will have heard that Aelah’s daughter is in Nush’aldaam. When Raya confirms her powers to the Vulcani in three days time, everyone will know about her.”

“Mm.” Shade waited but Magda didn’t say anything more.

“So?” he prompted. “Do you know where Aelah is? There is no need for her to hide anymore.”

“Interesting.”

“What is?”

“You. Making an effort for a girl.”

Shade glowered.

“I have no idea what you are blathering about, Gatekeeper. I have no interest in Raya inthatway.”

“Really? Does she not have a pulse? That’s your normal criteria.”

Shade stood abruptly, towering over the kobold who calmly sucked on her pipe.

“Are you going to help me or not, woman?”

“Chill your jets. Sit. Seriously, sit. You’re giving me a crick in the neck.”

Shade slowly lowered himself to the log again. He waited while she tapped out the spent tobacco in her pipe and refilled it.

“Magda, you try my patience. Do you know where Aelah is?”

The Gatekeeper sighed.

“I know where she is. And I know where Raya’s father is too.”

“But this is good news.” Shade felt a sense of triumph. He would be able to give Raya not one, but both her parents.

The Gatekeeper took a long pull on her pipe. It was time to tell the truth, and she knew the truth would hurt.

“Lord Shadeed,” she said quietly. “There’s something you should know.”

Thirty Three

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