The Blessed Curse (The Elder Blood Chronicles, #4)(85)

Hemlock nodded once and watched as a wisp of fog disappeared between the man’s lips as he reclaimed the fragment of his soul. It was always unnerving when Ander used his soulriding talents. He was so subtle that the Jala’s scout probably hadn’t even noticed he wasn’t alone in his body. “That explains why my magic isn’t finding her,” Hemlock murmured softly. A childish giggle broke through the silence and he glanced over the roof to watch the boy run by with the Bendazzi following him closely.

“So full of energy and life, and so powerful for one so young,” Niaha murmured, her dark eyes following the child as he ran. “Why are we letting him live? He will be a problem in the future,” she added as her eyes rose to meet his.

“Because we want Jala happy right now and killing her son would not make her happy,” Hemlock explained slowly. He was beginning to wonder if he should have brought his companions to Merro at all. Both had their uses of course, but both were much more adept at killing than spying. No doubt their fragile little minds were confused at the thought of returning home without blood on their hands.

“What else can you tell us?” Hemlock pressed, his eyes locked on Ander. Maybe, if he could manage to keep them busy enough, things would go smoother.

“She has an admirer. One of the knights. He seemed a lecherous fellow. Niaha might be able to get something from him,” Ander began, his gaze flicking to his counterpart with a bit of loathing. It was no secret that the two hated each other, but Hemlock had thought they could manage one mission together without a fight.

“Let’s push past Niaha’s talents and keep going. You were possessing a scout. Surely you have more information that will be useful,”

Hemlock broke in before the two could begin to snarl at each other.

“Jala will be leaving Merro soon. She didn’t say as much, but she seemed very concerned with the news brought to her regarding Seravae. I don’t think Jail expected her reaction on the matter. He seemed distressed that she hinted at leaving Merro,” Ander continued. “Avanti is still harassing her northern borders, though from what the scouts are saying, it isn’t military harassment, so Truce isn’t involved. She didn’t seem overly concerned with it and brushed it off. Her main focus was on the girl, even while listening to the reports her gaze kept shifting to watch the siphon. Perhaps she is training a weapon. The girl did seem to have a talent for draining life. That’s unusual for a Siphon, isn’t it? I thought they just drained magic,” Ander finished, his pale eyes moving to watch Hemlock.

“We should bring her to our side or kill her. A siphon that can kill with a touch isn’t something I want to have against me,” Niaha murmured and Hemlock briefly considered pushing her off the roof. One little nudge and the Bendazzi below would take care of one of his problems.

“Niaha, go mix yourself in among the traders. Spend the day there and find the knight this evening. Get what information you can from him or anyone else that you deem as useful. Do not kill, maim, or destroy unless you get word from me,” Hemlock ordered quietly. His mind was churning with a thousand different things and he didn’t need her sitting behind him whispering for death. Things weren’t right here and he couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but if people started dying he never would. Jala wasn’t stupid. If her friends died, she would find who killed them. “Anything else?” he asked Ander as Niaha left the roof.

“More political crap that we already know,” Ander replied with a shrug then a brief flash of uncertainty crossed his face.

“What?” Hemlock demanded softly. There was movement below him and it was more than just the child playing with the Bendazzi. His gaze focused on the newest arrival and he frowned. Neph. He had been wondering where the mage was hiding. Rumors in Sanctuary had reported him to be in Merro, but this was the first glimpse Hemlock had of him.

“Well, I’m not sure if it’s important, but the girl seemed to grow excited when she spotted a crow. Maybe a Shifter from Glis?” Ander replied with obvious hesitation.

Hemlock froze in place and slowly turned to look at Ander. He was young and only a half-blood so it was doubtful that anyone had ever told him of history. By his look of confusion and his hesitation it was clear that he had no idea how useful that information was. Ander was usually confident in everything, and it almost made Hemlock smile to see him so uncertain now. It simply proved that his underlings were still terrified of him. It was nice to know the young half-blood was frightened at the thought of wasting his time. The news was hardly a waste of his time, though. If Seth was involved here, things were a lot more dangerous than he had first thought. “Perhaps,” Hemlock murmured. He had no intention of letting Ander know what he had discovered. Let the boy believe it was something as petty as a mere Shifter.

The quiet conversation below had died down and Hemlock sighed silently. He hadn’t managed to catch a word of what Neph said. His mind had been too preoccupied with the thought of Seth lurking somewhere nearby. There were few things that concerned him in this world, but Seth was one of them. The demon had too many reasons to want him dead, and he had no intention of giving him the opportunity to try to kill him.

“Let me get Sovann and we will meet you at Jala’s,” Wisp’s voice called loudly below him and Hemlock turned his attention back to the present.

“Can you soulride her, Ander?” Hemlock asked softly as he watched the Fae disappear back into the house with Legacy. “Easily,” Ander replied with his typical confidence.