17
Cirrian’s invasion of my home had been a source of irritation until now. I welcomed seeing him standing at the console inspecting William’s gifts.
“Why do you have these?” he asked before I could speak.
“They’re gifts from William.”
“The sentinel?”
“Yes, if by sentinel you mean William, the lethal vampire whose name spoken in most rooms instills fear.”
Cirrian was unimpressed.
“Why did he give them to you?” He picked up one of the hand-carved figurines, closely examining it from different angles, seemingly fixated on the script etched into it. “Your name is on this,” he pointed out.
“It’s on all of them,” I said, impressed that he could recognize it in the various languages. I knew what the inscriptions were because William told me when I asked.
Cirrian’s brows drew together.
“He likes to bring me souvenirs from his travels,” I said.
He glanced at me but didn’t seem satisfied by the answer. “I don’t believe that’s the case,” he whispered. He picked up a glass sculpture to study it. The frown on his face deepened.
“You can ask him about the gifts yourself. He should be here soon.”
Despite discovering Jonah’s link to the draveths, I’d managed to set up meetings with the Houses of Knight and Hollows at my home. I’d chosen to meet with the House of Knight first. It didn’t feel good, but they were my preferred option, although I hated exploiting the kindness William had shown me. The House of Hollows was the highly unlikely backup plan. If they both declined, I was screwed and would have to petition the smaller houses. My role with the Houses of Knight and Hollows would make the smaller houses less willing to help, and their declination would cue others to not even consider it. I was willing to offer anything and everything for their assistance.
“That would break the terms of our agreement.”
“Oh right.” I rolled my eyes. “You’re supposed to be gone and no longer a thorn in my side.”
“There are far worse places to be,” he said, smiling suggestively and looking at my waist.
Heat rushed to my face and through me. “I found an acolyte of the draveths,” I blurted, a subject that would chill the hottest room.
He shrugged. “Why should I care? They have discovered a location where they can thrive. We no longer have to worry about them trying to return to Umbryth and attempting another coup for magic.”
“If the draveths did the spell to imprison your lycan friends, then surely they can undo it. The witch acolyte could direct them to you.”
“That would involve us giving the draveths access to Umbryth.”
“They currently have magic and the ability to release the lycans,” I said.
“You’re suggesting I spend my time searching this realm for them?” he asked, seemingly bored with the topic.
“No, you can just ask the witch. Persuade Jonah to direct you to the draveths’ location.”
Cirrian’s eyes gleamed with a deviant delight.“Persuade.”His voice was a husky velvet sound. Before I could register the movement, he was in front of me. He pressed his finger to my chest. Heat raged over the area.
“There is some darkness lurking in you. I like it,” he teased.
Nope. Not going there. Stepping back.
“Persuading doesn’t have to involve cruelty or violence. Offer him a favor.”
“Of course that’s what you meant,” he responded in a deep, saccharine voice full of doubt. “I’ll let you believe that you are above cruelty and violence.” He returned to studying the objects. I had no idea why they garnered so much of his attention.
“Even if I wished to do it, I don’t have the ability. The spell responsible for exiling them was a joint effort by us…” He waved away the ending, looking away from me.
