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Ainsley arched one eyebrow at me and proceeded to the table, pulling out a chair and making herself at home. The woman didn’t even spare her a glance to ask what she was doing.
I remained in my position near the door, prepared to whisk Ainsley away should any of this go further awry than it already had.
“I believe you have answers we need. Answers I need,” Ainsley said. Her soft voice was firm, but I could sense the desire swarming inside of her as she spoke.
The fire blazed to life, brightening the room and casting a warm glow from its embers, and the woman knelt back on her heels, finally acknowledging us.
She was a wiry thing, wispy brown hair pulled back from her face, and wild yellowish-green eyes that held more secrets than made me comfortable. She seemed as if she had magic. Ainsley had attempted to say as much, however, I hadn’t witnessed it with my own eyes. Where Ainsley would take someone by surprise, this woman would likely bring about an “I should have known” sensation after using it once you truly took her in.
“I hold no answers for you, and if you know what’s best for you, you’ll walk out of my door and go back to wherever you came from.” She rose to her feet, brushing her hands on her skirts. She flicked her palm over the flames, pulling the kettle away and walking to the sink. Water ran quietly in the background, and I focused my attention on Ainsley and her sudden silence.
She met my gaze and lifted her shoulders.
“Now’s not the time to be bashful, mi’lady,” I said, leaning against the wall and folding my arms. I was surprised by her sudden hesitancy, as though she were questioning herself.
Ainsley’s eyes fell on the book, and she stared as if trying to read the very pages within. Then her gaze shot back to the woman standing at the sink.
“I’ll not be going anywhere until we talk. I know that book holds meaning, as does the key that unlocks it. The one I saw with my own eyes in the Hall of Knowledge held a symbol identical to it, accompanied by four more. All with keyholes. Hidden away.”
The water the woman had been using turned off and she continued her activities, deliberate and unaffected by our presence. She chuckled as she hung the kettle. “You’re dreaming, child. That’s a long-forgotten myth. Perhaps it was a picture.” She waved her hand, and Ainsley’s eyes widened in defiance.
There she is.
“I know what I saw. You can play it off all you would like, madam. But I stand by my statement.”
The woman stabbed her hands on her hips and stared Ainsley down. It was difficult to read if the smirk playing on her lips was in annoyance or interest. “Sebastian James is a name you bloody well hope you never learn—”
“Already had the displeasure of his acquaintance.” Ainsley cut her off. “But if you would like to threaten me in another way, by all means.”
The woman’s chin lifted, and this time, her smile was genuine. “No threat. That bastard wouldn’t get anything from me, not even an enemy on a silver platter. Sebastian James has been hunting the myth of the book you think you saw for twenty years. If it existed, he’d have it. So, you see, my dear, you are certainly mistaken.”
Her smile vanished as she took Ainsley in, looking her over from head to toe, and right back up. A quick cursory glance my way, and I caught her doing the same to me.
“Who are you?” she asked.
“You first.” Ainsley’s indignant snort was accented with the crossing of her arms over her chest.
The magical woman’s tension grew at Ainsley’s boldness, and I moved my hand closer to my weapon. We’d had enough surprises as of late, and the last thing I needed was someone with magic who knew of Sebastian James to get the better of us.
My subtle movement was not subtle enough, however, and the stranger’s eyes narrowed at me again as they had in town. “I’ve survived Bash’s reign of terror here long enough to give you nightmares. Your sword or threat of violence does not scare me.”
Ainsley slammed her palm against the table. “Enough of this dance,” she shouted. She removed her hand, revealing the key I’d seen her hide away. The one she gazed upon and fiddled with while nervous. It had a lightning bolt emblazoned on the handle.
The woman shoved back from the table, knocking her chair over and clutching her chest. “Where did you get that?”
I moved forward a bit, pulling myself away from the wall. This was what I did not want to happen.
The streets had been emptying upon our arrival, but who knew when people would return to their homes. And with the threat of the Royal Guard or Royal Navy, this woman’s shouting did not bode well.
Ainsley didn’t react, she simply kept her hand next to the object she’d set down. “It is mine.”
“Liar,” the woman accused, moving to the table so quickly that Ainsley picked up her key and rose. “I know who is supposed to hold that key. What have you done? How do you have it?”
“I told you, it’s mine.” Ainsley’s voice had risen as well and I lowered my head, shaking it once.
“Everyone needs to take a breath.” I tried to jump in and interject, but these magic casters were beyond my reach.
“You tell me this instant.” The woman’s movements brought her closer to Ainsley than I preferred. “Or we’re done here.”
