AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"The scent is getting weaker." She stopped at an intersection. "And now it's gone. Cars have passed by since. All I can smell is their fumes."
I swore under my breath. "If we walk around, we might pick up the scent—"
"There you are."
I didn't see where Wesley came from, but he trotted across the street toward us.
So much for caution. I was so distracted by thoughts of Viva, I let myself be taken by surprise by the bard, of all things.
"I tried to get in earlier, but the guards at the front gate told me to go away." He pouted, but it soon turned back into his usual smile. "But here you two are. How fortuitous."
"That's one word for it," I muttered. I didn't have a particular problem with the man, except the way he attached himself to Kerina and me in Cape Massin. I tried to convince him to stay where it was safe, but he followed along like a lost puppy.
"Wesley." Viva greeted him with a bit more enthusiasm. "Did you learn anything?"
That was my girl, right to the point.
"Whispers." He stopped in front of us and hefted his trusty lyaer further up his shoulder. "Lots of whispers. Things we probably shouldn't discuss out here in the street." A frown briefly brushed over his brow. "Why are you out here anyway?"
"Would you believe we're waiting for you?" Viva asked, a hint of a laugh in her voice.
"I would be flattered." Wesley bowed. "But no, I wouldn't believe it. My apologies. You seemed to be searching for something. Or someone."
"You might have the answer to that," I said. I had the impression he was fishing for answers. He wouldn't get them from me, not out here.
"I might," Wesley agreed. "Shall we go inside and talk?"
"Is Latika with you?" I asked.
"She and her daughters slipped away not long after we arrived in the city," Wesley said. "Apparently she had something to deal with."
"Did she say what?" Viva asked.
"No. Just that it was important." Wesley spread his hands. "You know what women are like. Always mysterious."
"We like to keep you on your toes," Viva said.
They walked in front of me and chatted while I stalked behind them, senses alert for anything, ordinary or otherwise.
The night air was still warm. In a few hours, it would be cold. Like the tiger's trail was starting to get.
"Do we have to walk all the way around to the front gate?" Wesley asked. "There is a small side gate which is much closer."
"How do you know about that?" I asked, my tone curt.
He hesitated for a beat. Long enough to pique my suspicion.
"I saw it when I walked around after they wouldn't let me in," he said. "I thought about trying to climb it, but then I remembered I don't like being locked up in a cell."
"You have experience in that?" Viva asked.
He gave her a wink. "I have experience in a great many things."
"I'm sure you do," she replied.
Were they actually flirting with each other? I might be annoyed, but I was in no way threatened by Wesley. He was charming, outgoing and talented, but he wasn't her type. She seemed to prefer tall, dark and brooding. Like me.
Only, I had no idea how she felt about me. Still, I was her type, Wesley was not. It was that simple.
