Cast in Honor (Chronicles of Elantra, #11)(8)

She headed directly for his desk, bypassing the duty roster and anyone else who stood between them—except for Caitlin, who waved her over.

“Have you seen Moran?” Kaylin demanded, as Caitlin opened her mouth.

“Yes, dear.”

“Why is she even in the office? She should be at home recovering!”

“It’s...complicated,” the office mother replied. The tone of her voice had a dampening effect on Kaylin’s outrage.

“Complicated how?”

“Given that you’ve seen her—you didn’t start an argument with her, did you?”

“I didn’t start the argument, no.”

Caitlin sighed. It was as close as she generally came to open disapproval. “If Moran didn’t discuss it with you, I can’t. She is having some difficulty at home.”

“She thinks she’s going to be living here.”

“Her living quarters are definitely not your problem.”

“In the Halls, Caitlin.”

“You’ve lived in far less optimal conditions in your life. She won’t starve and she won’t be hunted; she’ll have a solid roof over her head. The Halls were designed, in part, with Aerians in mind. She will not suffer.”

“I want her to live with me.”

Caitlin’s eyes flicked briefly to the side, in Bellusdeo’s direction. She did not, however, tell Kaylin that she thought it was a bad idea. “Let me speak with her,” she said, rising. “I know Marcus and Lord Grammayre have attempted to do so, but I might have better luck with a different approach. You’re certain you want this?”

Kaylin nodded, trying not to look as mutinous as she felt.

She was rewarded by Caitlin’s smile. “Good. I wouldn’t have suggested it—but I think that might be for the best. We’re not certain that—” She shook her head. “You’d best speak with Marcus. He’s been waiting for you—and not terribly patiently.”

*

Marcus immediately barked Kaylin’s name. Or Kaylin’s rank, at any rate. No other private rushed to fill the space in front of his disaster of a desk.

“Since Moran is back, you can stop moping around in the infirmary and get back to work.”

That was unfair, but life generally was. The Sergeant growled at the mirror on his desk; it flickered instantly to life as an image began to coalesce. “Corporal Korrin! Corporal Danelle!”

Teela and Tain materialized almost instantly, which meant they’d been eavesdropping from a safer distance than most mortals—at least the non-Leontine ones—could manage. Severn joined them before his name could also be barked.

This was two people too many for Elani beat work. Kaylin pushed thoughts of Moran aside.

“There was a triple murder reported up the Winding Path.” The Winding Path was both the road’s official map name and an accurate description. It crossed two market areas at its lowest point and then headed toward the Southern Reach. It was not a particularly short street.

“Where on the Winding Path?”

“At the Keffeer crossing.” As he spoke, the mirror showed a clearly marked spot on the map. “The bodies are to be moved to the morgue when you’re done.”

“What are you not telling us?”

“I am not telling you anything other than the location. You are expected there as soon as you can make it. Take the carriage.”

Kaylin glanced nervously at Teela and shook her head. “We’ll get there faster if we walk.”

“Not if I’m driving,” Teela said.

“We’ll get there alive if we walk.”

Marcus growled, but his eyes lost a touch of their orange; Teela’s driving was the stuff of legend in the office. “Teela, take a mirror kit. The quartermaster is waiting with it. Private, there are Imperial mages on the property. Attempt not to offend them.”

“Yes, sir.” She hesitated.

“Yessss?” He turned the full force of his gaze on the silent Dragon by Kaylin’s side. His exhale was rumbling. “You intend to follow the private?”

“If that is permissible.”

“I don’t like it. You’re not a Hawk, and this is serious Hawk work; it’s not patrolling fraud central.”

Bellusdeo was helpful; she smiled benignly and held the Sergeant’s glare until he growled again. “Keep an eye on her.”

Kaylin tried not to bristle.

“I will.”

“If any of the idiots in the office attempt to buy you a drink or grovel their gratitude, I’d appreciate it if you ignored them.”

“Oh?”

“They’re grateful for your intervention. They’re not idiots. They’re aware that the Emperor wasn’t.”

Bellusdeo’s face stiffened. Had Kaylin been on the other side of the desk, she would’ve kicked him. She would’ve regretted it, of course—if he’d even noticed, that was.

“But they’re impressed, anyway. Private, are you going to stand around all day gaping like a new recruit?”

“No, sir.”

“Good. Head out.”

“Going, sir.”

“Good.” He ran a claw through what was fast becoming a collection of loosely connected splinters. “If you can talk sense into Sergeant Carafel, I’ll send your rank request up to the Tower immediately.” Seeing the change in her expression at the mention of Moran, he added, “No, I did not bring this up.”