Chapter 84
Eugene
Just over a year ago
Ipeer through the bars of my cage into Mr Halfeather’s office.
They’ve set my cage over the fireplace so I’m in easy reach, but it also means I get a good view of everyone who comes in and out.
Tonight, Mr Halfeather welcomes a tall male with red hair, a white suit, and matching glasses.
I peer at him from between my bars because his scent is very interesting.
Halfeather continues a conversation from outside. “Not even curious?”
“I refuse to touch it,” the redhead replies, wrinkling his nose. “Mace will have to pay me a fool’s ransom to get me near that shadow demon of the abyss.”
Halfeather chuckles. “Forever the elitist, Lord Agnis. Your own collection has always been a delight to behold.”
Lord Agnis sniffs. “I certainly have neither poultry nor serpents in there, but I have a new shoebill stork who needs breaking in. You must come down for the event next week. Mace is coming.”
“I can’t wait.” They sit on the chairs near the dark fireplace, and Mr Halfeather pours glasses of alcohol.
“Is my rooster ready?” Lord Agnis asks.
Halfeather looks possessively at me, and I can’t help but fluff my wings. “Yes, but not this one. I have another one for you out the back.”
“Can’t be too careful these days with dirty basilisks slithering about.”
Halfeather chuckles. “Such a crude feat of nature. Making the rooster the basilisk’s kryptonite.
This one was apparently never good at cockfighting, but his crow is the loudest I’ve come across to date, so Mace found a use for him.
It’s always easier when they give themselves over to contracted employment. ”
Lord Agnis snorts, glancing at me. “Well, if this basilisk dies in his cell, we won’t have to worry, will we? If you cannot heal him, I daresay no one can. Perhaps this is why they died out in the first place.”
Mr Halfeather gulps down his wine. “Mace thinks he has one last trick up his sleeve. He’s going to hold it against me at cost price, but that estranged daughter of his is a talented healer.”
“That little female who was so weak he never married her out of spite? Her offspring?”
Mr Halfeather smiles a secret smile. “I would’ve married her.”
Lord Agnis scoffs in disgust. “You always liked them fragile.”
“But not this one.” Mr Halfeather grins outright. “She has real power.”
“What do you know that I don’t?”
Mr Halfeather leans forward in his chair. “Mace is going to contact you soon, so you may as well hear it from me. Athena’s daughter inherited the stronger Boneweaver gene, and she has just come of age for the market.”
Lord Agnis gapes over his glass. “Don’t be stupid!”
Mr Halfeather leans back in his chair with a satisfied smile. “If she’s any good, I’ll buy her off him. I could use another healer around here.”
“Make a deal with a snake and you’ll live to regret it.”
“There’s a Boneweaver of old on the table, Lord Agnis!
” Mr Halfeather claps gleefully. “Think of it! Boneweaver healing on tap? My phone will ring off the hook, I just know it. She’ll pay her investment back tenfold.
Cancers, autoimmune diseases, magical diseases—the scope could be endless!
Mace never let me do more than draw blood on Athena; he keeps her locked down tight.
But I would have free rein over this girl. ”
My mind latches on to those words. This Boneweaver is a powerful healer who can fix all kinds of ailments. Maybe she can fix my beloved’s illness. I must find her.
Lord Agnis shakes his head, the crimson strands glistening. “I’ll believe it when I see it. Until then, nothing’s worth a contract with Mace. There’s probably a curse on the damned paper. Make sure you check for any strange markings on it.”
Halfeather sits back in his chair, smiling into his wineglass. “She’ll be arriving tomorrow, and you can bet your bottom dollar that I’ll be doing my own checks.”