Chapter 18
Elysia sighed for the tenth time in the last minute. Her patience was reaching its limits. With the party fast approaching, her nerves were stretched thin, ready to snap. A small dingy tunnel was the last place she wanted to be right now. Pacing back and forth like a trapped rat, she growled in frustration. Where was he?
Rollie had refused to meet anywhere else because he was the world’s biggest pain in her ass. Well, there was always Topp and Beatriz to contend for that prized position. But today, Rollie had it in the bag.
Gods, it really does smell like shit down here .
Glancing at the walls in sudden concern, she promised herself it was just dirt. It had to be just dirt. She sighed again and even she found the sound annoying now. Rollie was late. It was highly inappropriate to be late when you were assisting in the plotting of someone’s murder. What was wrong with people? She tapped her foot, wishing he would just show up already.
Footsteps sounded down the tunnel, and her pulse skittered. She strained to listen. That sounds like two people. And there was only supposed to be one. Her hand slid to her dagger, and just as she slipped it from its sheath, she heard the dry tones of Rollie’s laughter.
The dagger went back in, and Elysia smiled stiffly at Rollie and his unexpected companion.
Rollie stopped a few feet away with an incredulous expression on his face, holding a lantern out so it shone directly into her eyes. “Were you going to stab us? Do you even know how to use that thing?”
“Would you like me to show you, Rollickus?” She smiled sweetly with her fingers still on the hilt.
Rollie balked. “No, I would not like you to show me .” His voice dropped to a mutter. “Someone’s gotten some new hobbies. I think I liked the flowers better.”
Elysia gracefully ignored him. “And who is this?” Her voice was clipped but polite, her feelings about the unwanted guest all too clear.
A short, powerfully built woman stepped up beside Rollie, appearing completely at ease despite the hostility and smell of shit in the air. “You can call me Mari.” Her voice tinkled like glass in the breeze.
Elysia gave her a short nod. “Rollie, why is the lovely Mari here?” Her impatience seeped into her words. What didn’t people understand about assassination? This was not a group sporting event!
Laughter lined the woman’s face. Even in the dark, Elysia could see she had beautiful tan-brown skin and full lips that easily smiled. Between her dulcet tones and laughing face, Elysia could tell she would be a hard person to dislike. Too bad I’m not here to make friends . She just needed a time and place and to be done with this disgusting tunnel.
“Rollie tells me you have everything ready?” Her voice was friendly, open.
Elysia eyed her speculatively. “Are you in charge, then?”
She shrugged, her face growing serious. “I am one of several who ensure our safety. Can you ensure our safety, Ms. Parker? Some say it is unwise for us to make deals with someone like you.”
Ah. So that’s what this was then. The group was having second thoughts about letting her into their special, secret little meeting. Another test, as if setting up a massive diversion wasn’t payment enough. She was willing to bet they hadn’t expected her to come through. Thought she would run away from their exorbitant demands and they’d be rid of her. You’ll have to try harder than that.
Elysia’s teeth flashed in the light of Rollie’s lantern. “Then perhaps I should call the whole thing off. Who says you all can help me, anyway?”
Mari straightened and leaned forward just a hair. “Oh, but I think we can help you, Elysia. Rollie tells me of your nightly travels, and there are those in our midst who may have knowledge on the matter. Not all the old books were burned, you know.” Her friendly charm disappeared. “I just need to hear directly from your mouth that there won’t be any problems . Given who you are and the company you keep.”
Rollie shifted his feet nervously. “I told her you would never. Even if you do prance around with that insufferable prig of a man.”
Only years of her mother’s training kept her eyes from rolling into the back of her head. “I’ve told the prince nothing of these matters. I have no more wish to die than you.”
Never mind that he already knows. She swallowed hard, trying to keep her thoughts from wandering to all those grating questions of just what Topp planned to do with her and when. Maybe he’ll blackmail me just like Father. That would explain why she wasn’t dead.
Or maybe she was his greatest hunt. The prey he had stalked the longest and enjoyed the most. A sick feeling settled deep in her gut. But she let none of this show, smiling cooly at Rollie’s friend. “All you need to know is that the diversion is set. Treason bells will ring and every guard will be occupied.”
Mari faltered for a moment at this news and then let out a low, soft whistle. “You don’t do things by halves, do you?”
She crossed her arms and mulled it over before nodding to herself. Decision made, she pulled a small striated conch seashell out of her pocket. Mari slapped it into Elysia’s palm and held her own hand over it, warm and strong. “The night of the meeting, this will tell you where to go. If it doesn’t, then something has gone wrong. Be sure to bring the coin. You have no idea what you’re in for, Crown girl.” She grinned wickedly.
Elysia tucked the shell away safely and lifted her hood back over her head. “It’s been a pleasure.” Meeting adjourned . And with that she turned heel, plundering back down the tunnel until Rollie’s voice rang out like a bell.
“Hey, Parker.”
She paused, waiting.
“I hear the beast is hunting again. Be careful out in the woods.”
Elysia looked back and feigned a sweeping bow as if there were a crown to take off her head just like when they were kids and thought it was the funniest thing in the world to make fun of the prince and his stupid outfits and crowns.
Beast or no beast, she would not cower at the feet of Topp Blatz.