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I laughed nervously to fill the silence.I don’t understand how my ancestors were so famous for this subterfuge stuff. It is so much easier to just pretend to be a cat.
“Regardless, there is no need to get philosophical,” the Paragon said. “All of this is to say, we’d like to work with you on capturing this tracker of yours. Obviously because he’s a danger to your life, and you are possibly the last shadow alive, but also because even though it’s only a small chance, if wecancapture him, and he is a part of the organization, it will give us an edge and perhaps let us discover what their true motive is.”
I carefully sifted through the offer, thinking it over.
There’s no reason to refuse. The tracker needs to be taken out fast since he keeps on escalating, and I don’t want anyone put in danger. It’s maybe a little disappointing that they’re mostly interested in me because of him, but I guess it’s not that surprising. I might be a shadow, but I’m still just me.
“You said you’d like to work together…what did you have in mind?” I asked.
“I’d say we fae could give you all the spells you want, but I suppose they won’t work for you, will they?” Queen Leila asked.
“Anything that’s an ‘effects’ spell won’t work,” I said. “But I’d appreciate fae potions.”
“I can make potions myself,” the queen said. “But they’re pretty weak. I’ll see if I can get any of my people to brew some up, they’ll be stronger, then.”
“Thank you,” I said.
“Are there any other spells you can use?” the Paragon asked.
“I guess any spell that is contained and activates once released I could technically use, but I’m not at all familiar with handling magic,” I said. “I wouldn’t know how to use it.” I took another sip of my tea—even though it was lukewarm, the drink was a consolation to my frazzled nerves.
The bigger problem is Charon didn’t train me to use magic spells, so adapting them into my sword and dagger fighting style without his help would be impossible. I can’t be fumbling with potion bottles when the tracker is threatening humans, I have to rely on reacting fast.
“With your permission, we’ll speak to your brother,” Queen Leila said. “Or, really, the Paragon will speak to him. I must leave for another trip in a week or two.”
“Yes, yes,” the Paragon said. “We’re aware Pat is most concerned with the safety of you and your sister. I’ll inquire with him to see what resources he’d like access to.”
“Maybe a tracking spell,” Queen Leila said.
My fingers instinctively tightened, pressing my tea cup into my palm, and I couldn’t even say for certain why.
A tracking spell would be helpful. Then I wouldn’t have to mess around with trying to call someone while running. And it wasn’t like Noctus’s tracking spell brought up bad memories. Yes, I’d lost a good amount of hair in my fright whenever Noctus found me in Magiford as a cat before I realized hewastracking me, but it wasn’t a traumatic experience.
Maybe it’s just that it reminds me of Noctus.
Oof, I had it bad. At least I’d be motivated when I got a chance to try planning some more.
“I’ll ask,” the Paragon said. “Since he’s a human, he might appreciate a primer in available magics—though I suppose he’s been experiencing that firsthand with his workplace being what it is.”
“Yes,” I absently agreed, then slightly shook my head and made myself refocus. “But did you only want to talk to me about the tracker? I thought this was also supposed to be a conversation about shadows, so I could learn more about them.”
“Well,I’mhere for the tracker conversation, but you’re right. The Paragon wanted to talk to you about your existence.” Queen Leila looked from me to the Paragon and waved a hand at him.
“What is that supposed to mean?” the Paragon asked.
“You know, you were going to tell her about the thing,” Queen Leila said.
“No, I don’t know. I don’t speak whateverthisis.” The Paragon grandiosely waved his hand.
Leila sighed. “Him. I thought you were going to tell her abouthim! Unless you changed your mind?”
“Oh! Him!” The Paragon abruptly straightened up, sliding Aphrodite across his lap. The cat was remarkably calm and merely yawned despite the manhandling. “Yes, I suppose I should. Chloe.”
“Yes?” I took a final sip from my cold—and now empty—cup of tea.
“There’s someone I know that I’d like to introduce you to, who might have a better idea about what you’re capable of than any book or dusty old windbag of a vampire might be able to say. But, I should warn you, he’s an elf.”
I’d thankfully swallowed my sip of tea, but at the Paragon’s words all the air in my body left in a wheeze.
