Page 41 of A Tempest of Shadows

I somehow closed my mouth again and wiped away the liquid before it could drip onto the floor. If anyone was watching me, they probably believed I was insane, and I felt that way.

“I do remember her,” Ryker said.

He’s so handsome when he smiles.

I shook my head at the intrusion of such a ridiculous thought when my life was spiraling out of control.

Get it together! I berated myself. And do something!

“Ellery knows the woods well, and she’s a very skilled hunter. I’m sure she could help you track that criminal,” my mother said.

My mouth fell open again. My mother didn’t know it, but she was setting me up to look like a suspect while offering my help to Ryker to hunt me!

“I’d welcome her help,” Ryker said, “and I’d be willing to pay her for it.”

My ears perked at this possibility, but it could never happen. Spending more time with Ryker was not a good idea.

Holding my nearly empty glass, I hoped I looked casual as I strolled toward them. Instead, I felt like a toy soldier—all wound up with my legs kicking straight ahead as I marched toward my doom.

My mother waved her hand flippantly through the air. “Oh, payment isn’t necessary. We’d be happy to help you catch the thief.”

“That’s very kind of you. There is a reward.”

“There is.”

“If she helps me, I’d be happy to have her collect it.”

My mother pondered this. “I think splitting it between you would be fair.”

“More than fair.”

No, it would not!

But I couldn’t shout at them as I yearned to do; they’d think I’d lost my mind, and I was very close to doing so. I was sure the smile I’d plastered onto my lips made me look more like someone who was about to pounce and eat someone’s face.

Delightful little image there, Lery.

And now you’re talking to yourself in the third person; maybe you really are losing it.

That was a distinct possibility, but I couldn’t wipe away my awful grin.

“Good morning.” My greeting came out too loud and high-pitched. I tried to get it under control before I spoke again, but it didn’t sound much better. “Are you ready to go, Mother?”

“Ellery,” she said cheerfully. “Lord Locke and I were just talking about you.”

“Oh, really?”

I tried to act all innocent, but I was sure I failed miserably. Ryker’s head tilted to the side, and his eyebrows furrowed over the bridge of his nose.

“Yes, Lord Locke was telling me about how he is hunting for the Hooded Robber,” my mother continued.

“Don’t most robbers wear hoods?” I replied, hoping to break the coiling tension inside me with some levity.

I failed.

“Yes, indeed, most cowards do,” Ryker agreed.

I kept my grin plastered on while my brain spun for something to say. In the end, I couldn’t come up with a response.