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It sank into him, gentle as a kiss. “That will help,” said Robert.
“What did you do?” I asked, keeping my voice level with an effort.
“Only a suggestion that he hit with his hands rather than his magic.” Robert’s eyes held a sardonic gleam. “Since that seems to be how you cope.”
He saw too much.
“How are you going to keep them away from him?”
“Right now? I’m going to stay on vacation. For the future? I’m going to call in a stack of favors. Given what you’ve said, and the fact you burned my house down, destroyed my gun collection, and insist on being cheerful at breakfast I’m hoping to kick your annoying ass back to Kalderon… and since Dmitri would have a fit, possibly move to Sensen.”
I stared at him, less.
Sensen was a TacForce installation pointed at Kalderon, just across from the bluffs where Ethan lived. It had none of the comforts of a city, little of the weather control of the Capitol, no social life for them.
And dangerous—the elves pranked TacForce irregularly.
The fact that Robert and Elise were willing to do this… live in primitive conditions, far from the halls of power, at not inconsiderable risk left me breathless. It was one thing to love Dmitri, but this was an actual sacrifice on their parts.
On top of that, Robert was going to try to get me pardoned. Everything could be fixed, Dmitri could be safe, I could be free… There were no words. I stared at him.
“I thought we were saving that until she got back,” said Elise, a gentle smile curving her mouth.
Robert shook his head, eyes distant. “Something to focus you on coming back from this mission, Alys. Make it quick.”
I cradled Dmitri, staring from one of them to the other. I blinked fast, fighting the stinging tears of joy and maybe even gratitude in my eyes, then ran inside, carrying my boy.
Dove waited for me by the door.
I paused, struck by a question. “Who is Mr. Hónágháahnii?” I stumbled over the name. “I thought Walker owned the house.”
“He does. That’s his name.” Dove shut the door behind us. “He’s got many names people know him by. Walker’s the one he uses the most, though. And some of the names he carries weigh on him like a millstone.”
“Why?”
“Because he’s a good man. He likes you, Alys. Don’t make me hurt you if you hurt him.” She walked away from me, heading deeper into the house.
I’d have to ask him about those names when I saw him next. I knew a hint when I heard one.
EIGHT
Alys
The scorpions scuttled in their terrarium, doing whatever it was they did. They didn’t have enough of a mind for me to catch emotions from. The lights were dimmed, allowing the natural light of predawn to shine through the window. I’d taken the stairs up to Silver’s office, avoiding the cameras, since we were trying to be secretive.
Silver was already there when I arrived, on his comm. A betting pool existed in some circles whether or not he left or slept. He gestured at me to wait, so I’d gone to watch the scorpions. When that got dull, I sprawled in the visitor’s chair and jiggled one foot.
My new boots, while they fit, weren’t as comfortable as my regular footwear. Silver had changed his mind and manufactured a completely new cover. This persona required the naïve selection of equipment: Alex Zehond, working her after-college service year before deciding if she wanted to commit for a term of service as an Investigator.
I looked down at Silver’s desk, the high gloss like a mirror showing me the onyx’s reflection. Facts flitted in my mind. Walker could remove it. Silver could remove it. I didn’t like where that chain of thought was leading, that Walker might have some rank or ability equal to Silver’s. That he might have duties that would keep him here regardless of his feelings and mine.
I’d stay if I had to, especially after he’d said yes, but my intuition told me Dmitri staying in Guild territory was a very bad idea. We’d talk when I got back, especially if I came back to a pardon. Unless something else came up. And I really wished he’d had time to come back before I had to leave for this mission.
The wall flickered, and I winced at the visual covering it. All that lake water made my skin crawl, even if it was only a projection.
“Alys! What did I just say?” Silver’s annoyed voice disrupted my chain of thought.
“They grow wild rice, an edible water vegetable.” I grabbed the messenger bag crumpled by my seat.
