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“Was it perchance lost in the great flood a thousand years ago?” Ben asked him.
Dakin nodded. “That’s right, or so I thought.”
I studied Ben’s pensive expression. “You’re thinking something.”
He turned his head to meet my curious gaze. “We know of some who are excavating the ruins from that time.”
My mind was blank before realization struck me. “You mean Diana and the other magikologists?”
“They may have found the recipe for the poison in the lost halls of the palace,” he pointed out.
“What’s this about the magikologists?” Dakin spoke up as he gave us a sharp look.
Ben had a slight touch of confusion on his face toward our host. “Those who are digging up the ruins in the east toward the ghasl. Haven’t you heard of them?”
A dark look settled on Dakin’s brow as he shook his head. “Something of them. How did you come into contact with them?” Ben related the story of our sudden introduction, and by the time he’d finished Dakin’s expression was no lighter. “They’re the fools who dug up the Kneeling Stone. At first hearing about it, I thought it was Maram’s people who had snooped around the ruins again looking for that temple of theirs.”
“Temple?” I repeated.
He nodded. “The temple of their serpent god. He was said to be the first king of the island but he stepped down to let us rule ourselves. His followers have been looking for that place for as long as it’s been lost.” He lifted his bowl and shook his head. “Nobody even remembers where thepalacewas, much less an open-air platform with some coiled columns around it.”
Ben leaned back and folded his arms over his chest as he stared hard into the fire. “It seems we have quite a few places to visit tonight.”
“Getting into more trouble?” Dakin mused.
Ben smiled at our host. “It can’t be avoided if we’re to figure out what’s going on around here. We’ll be on our way after we’ve finished our food.” He nodded at the cave entrance. “Think you could watch our friend in there?”
Dakin nodded. “Aye, but don’t go getting yourselves mixed up with more of those dart spewers. You don’t have your cat to stop them the next time.”
Ben turned to me with a curious look on his face. “I think we may be able to avoid that again with your insight.”
I blinked at him. “With my what?”
“You sensed trouble before it happened,” he reminded me.
I couldn’t quite understand what he was talking about before I recalled my stopping before the attack. “I just felt cold, that’s all.”
“Deadly peril is very much a chilling matter, especially for those sensitive enough to feel the danger.”
“Well, my being sensitive made me a good still target,” I pointed out.
Dakin stroked his chin as he studied me. “Sensitive, eh? Not many of you around here, anymore. Blood’s getting thin and all that, even among the old families.”
I shook my head. “It was probably just a fluke.”
“The aqara didn’t think it was a fluke,” Ben pointed out before he lifted his spoon and took a sip of his soup. “But we can talk about this another time.”
CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE
I’m notsure why Ben’s line of questioning bothered me so, but I found myself irritated. Maybe it was because I didn’tfeelspecial. I mean, sure, the Prima Staff had somehow placed itself in my path, but it was thestaffwith the gift of magic, not me. All I had to do was blow or ride it.
But maybe that was the problem. Being the wielder of the Staff was more like being a passenger, but having my own magic was being behind the wheel. That was a lot more responsibility, and as we finished our meal I stood with a heart burdened with a little more responsibility.
We spoke our farewells to our host and ventured out into the night. Ben had hardly led me more than halfway up the alley before he stopped and half-turned to me. “From here on we should remain silent unless it’s absolutely necessary to speak.”
I nodded, but I couldn’t help but gasp a little as Ben’s Dragon Thief outfit slipped out and covered his body. I’d missed that handsome attire and his enigmatic mask over half his face.
A snort escaped me and Ben gave me a questioning look. I shrugged and pointed at my mouth. His eyes showed his amusement as he spoke with his mind-speech. “You can speak this once.”
