Page 33 of Ring of Ruin

“We have some of their names, we have the mother of the daughter they just killed, and we have something they want—the sword,” Cynwrig said. “They will come after it and when they do, we’ll get them.”

“I like the confidence with which you say that.” I yawned and then grimaced. “Sorry, it’s been a long day.”

Cynwrig squeezed my shoulder gently then downed his drink and rose. “I’ll head back to the compound and start organizing the interviews.”

“Let me know if you uncover anything new,” Sgott said.

“Indeed.” Cynwrig bent and dropped a sweet kiss on my lips. “You should get some sleep. I’ll ring you in the morning.”

I watched him walk away then returned my gaze to Sgott. “I need to speak to Aunt—”

“You can’t. Ring your brother and warn him of the threat.”

“I will. And if I approach the council and explain—”

“If you approach the council, they might hand down their judgment for your actions with Vincentia.”

“She’s now dead, so it shouldn’t matter.”

“Her being dead won’t change a thing and you know it.”

I scrubbed a hand through my hair. “Aunt Riayn isn’t going to talk to anyone else.”

“And she’sdefinitelynot going totalk to you. She revoked your kinship, remember.”

“That was before Vincentia was murdered. I believe it’ll change things.”

Sgott snorted. “You have far more faith in your aunt than I do.”

“And perhaps I’m stupid for doing so. Doesn’t change the fact that I need to at least try.”

He sighed. “I have to contact the pixie council to request permission to go see your aunt and break the news about Vincentia’s murder. I’ll make a plea on your behalf as well.”

“I’d appreciate that.” And if it was an official request from the IIT, they might be less likely to hand down their judgment on the spot. “But why face-to-face? Can’t you just tell her over the phone?”

“It’s not the sort of thing you can do over the phone. I dislike the woman, but she deserves to hear this sort of news in person.”

There was a part of me—a very minor, but still very angry part—that thought she actually didn’t, but I held my tongue. There was enough bad blood between me and her. I didn’t need to be adding to it.

“Are you staying here,” he added, “or heading over to Lugh’s?”

“Would it be a problem if I stayed?”

“Not if you can sleep through all the noise, but we’ll be here for a good few hours yet.”

I nodded. “Can I repair the stairwell doorframe before I fall into bed? Or do you need to dust it for prints or something?”

“I think—given the fact her killer obviously employed some form of magic to prevent arterial spray—the only prints we’ll likely find is that of a boot when they kicked the door open, so feel free to fix the frame.”

“If they were using a containment bubble, they should have just magicked open the fucking door.” I drained my whiskey and rose. “You’ll lock up when you leave?”

“I won’t be leaving until you wake, lassie. As Cynwrig said, you still have something they want, and I’ll be doing my best to make sure they don’t get it. Or you.”

I smiled, walked over, and kissed his bristly cheek. “You’re the best stepdad I could have ever asked for.”

“You are a darling girl,” he said softly, “as dear to me as my own blood.”

I knew that. I’d always known it.

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