Wraith(43)

‘Are they here for you?’ I asked, when I was sure they’d passed by.

De Florinville’s face was a mask. ‘Unlikely,’ he bit out. His dark eyes flicked towards mine. ‘They’ll be here for the Stone.’ I frowned at him. He shook his head. ‘I’ll explain later,’ he said. He paused for another moment as if listening. ‘That’s the only vehicle. They must be hedging their bets. At least we have something to be thankful for.’

This was making no sense. I didn’t have the faintest idea what was happening – and I didn’t like it. I wasn’t used to being kept in the dark; usually I heard enough whispers to piece together what was going on. Nothing about this was making any sense but it stiffened my resolve to get to safety as quickly as possible.

I glanced out of the alleyway once more. The coast finally seemed clear. I exchanged a quick look with the Dark Elf and he nodded. We ran, darting across to thoroughfare. The acrid smell of burning smoke clung to everything. The only good thing was that the wind was drifting in our direction, causing the smoke to move with it and help to obscure us. Using it to our best advantage, I let it camouflage us as we jogged the rest of the way. It wasn’t until Marrock’s bowling alley came in sight that I finally slowed. The air here was clearer but the danger was more palpable.

‘Whatever happens,’ I said in a low voice, ‘let me handle this.’

De Florinville’s eyes snapped to mine but he didn’t say anything. I hoped he had the good sense and intelligence that he’d shown glimmers of when I was eavesdropping on him. This was not the time for showy Dark Elf antics.

Holding my hands up in the air, I walked slowly towards the alley. As expected, Marrock’s two goons stepped out. They were paler than normal; clearly they hadn’t been expecting the renewed shelling either. I wondered whether they knew that there was a Gneiss contingent in town. It was quite possible that this day would end up being the last for all of us.

‘You’ve already been warned off, Saiya,’ Pat said. To give him credit, his eyes were as steely as ever and his voice betrayed no tremor.

I tilted up my chin. ‘I think Marrock will change his mind,’ I said, ‘when he sees who I’ve brought with me.’ I gestured at Gabriel de Florinville.

Pat’s fellow goon, whose name I’d never bothered to learn, gaped. ‘That’s a Dark Elf!’ Her expression was so astonished that it was almost comical. When De Florinville strode forward before I could stop him, however, the astonishment was all mine.

He might have been holding Ange in his arms but he still managed to sweep out a half bow. ‘I am Gabriel de Florinville,’ he intoned. ‘And I am here to seek an audience with Marrock.’

Well, well, well. The Dark Elf was not only a good listener but he was as canny as I thought. That was both good and bad for me. In response, Marrock’s minion started to curtsey until halfway down she realised what she was doing and awkwardly straightened up again.

Pat the goon glared at her then he ran his hand through his hair and almost simpered. ‘It’s a pleasure to meet you.’

‘The pleasure is all mine,’ de Florinville said smoothly. ‘I’ve heard a lot about the security here and I’m pleased to see that it meets all expectations. You two are really on the ball. I’d shake your hand but, as you can see, I’m somewhat occupied right now. If you could lead us to Marrock, I would be eternally grateful.’

‘Of course, sir! Yes! Right this way!’

I shook my head in amazement, thinking of all the times I’d had to fight tooth and nail to speak to Marrock. So much for handling this myself. I’d expected de Florinville’s presence to help us get inside but it hadn’t occurred to me that Marrock’s goons would become so greasily obsequious. But they hadn’t lost their edge entirely; when I started forward, a regretful expression crossed Pat’s face.

‘She has to stay behind. Marrock told us not to let her in again.’

If I’d been here alone, he’d have laughed in my face while turning me away. Instead he looked apologetic.

‘Oh.’ De Florinville considered this for a moment. ‘Well, where Saiya goes, I go. If she cannot enter then we’ll have to go elsewhere.’ He flashed me a dazzling smile. ‘It’s no problem, darling. You said there were plenty of others we could see instead.’ He turned away. I shrugged and did the same. This had better work – Ange needed help sooner rather than later.

‘Fuck’s sake.’ Marrock’s voice bellowed out from the upper window. ‘Let them all in.’

Marrock’s goons were obviously relieved. ‘This way!’ Pat burbled. ‘I’ll show you where to go!’

I rolled my eyes and sidled up to de Florinville. ‘I thought I told you that I would handle this,’ I muttered.

He quirked an eyebrow. ‘Do you have a problem with what I’ve achieved so far?’

‘No.’ I just wanted to remind him that I was in charge here, not him.

‘You’re in charge here, Saiya,’ he said softly. ‘Not me. I’ll follow your lead.’

I stared at him. Bloody hell. Either he was a mind reader, or he was far more sensitive than anyone had given him credit for – or my thoughts were displayed on my face. I wasn’t sure I wanted to know.

I huffed quietly and pushed it out of my mind. Ange wasn’t safe yet. Not by a long shot.