A Risky Proposition (21 page)

Lorien glowered at me and muttered something about ungrateful, lumbering humans.  “What is it then?”

“Well, I came across some information yesterday—with regard to the goblin that supposedly gave Balthus the unaligned soul,” I said carefully.

“Did Agent Sparrow find something?” Lorien asked sharply.  “He’s supposed to keep me posted!”

“No, it wasn’t Sparrow.  It was someone else.”

“Who else do you know that would know anything about goblins?” she scoffed.  Then she looked at me hard, something akin to alarm straining her features.  “Who have you been talking to, Sydney?  Not another death djinn—you know they can’t be trusted!”

“No, nothing like that,” I assured her quickly.  “It was a human, but I promised not to reveal her identity.”  Oops—there went half the possible population.

“
Her?”
Lorien repeated.  “And how do you know
she
was human?  There are female death djinns, you know.  And they’re just as underhanded as the men—maybe more!”

I sighed in frustration and glanced at Sunny for support.  “Oh no, I don’t wanna be in the middle of this.  Besides, I thought Lorien just magically knew about everything you did.”  She wrinkled her nose and went back to stroking Jasper.  The white tip of his fluffy, black tail twitched as he gazed unblinkingly at the faerie.

Lorien blew out an irritated breath.  “I
do not
spend every minute of my life watching Sydney.  I sense when she’s in imminent danger, and I look in on her from time to time to help her out.”

I gave an impatient wave of my hand.  “Trust me; I’m pretty sure this woman was human.  And even if she wasn’t, you know I didn’t slip up and say anything I shouldn’t have, or you would have shown up with your sneezing powder.”

“Faerie. Dust.  And what’s with the sudden secrecy?” Lorien exploded.  “I’m your faerie guardian—I’ve been trying to help you out of this mess from the beginning!”

I chewed my lip, debating internally.  I didn’t like keeping secrets from her.  “Alright.  I guess I didn’t promise not to tell
you
—but I did promise not to reveal her identity to the Seelie police.  That means you can’t tell Sparrow, okay?”

Lorien shook her head at me in disbelief.  “I can’t promise you that, Sydney.  If you’ve discovered something that will impact Agent Sparrow’s investigation, we have to tell him.”

I let out an annoyed huff.  “Of course I wouldn’t keep anything important from Sparrow!  I just can’t tell him who gave me the info.  And if you can’t promise not to tell him who she is, then I can’t tell you either.  But I’m betting when you hear the story, you’ll agree he doesn’t need to know anyway.”

Lorien sighed in agitation.  “Sydney—what have you gotten yourself into now?”

“Nothing—Sunny and I just went on a little information reconnaissance.  Now, promise me you won’t tell Sparrow and I’ll tell you all about it.”  I grinned.

“Fine,” Lorien agreed, the word coming out on a breath of aggravation.  “I’ll keep your secret.  You know my first priority is to protect you.”

“Thank you,” I said in a more penitent tone. 

I moved to the loveseat and settled into the cushions before beginning the story.  Lorien floated to a seat on the glass edge of the coffee table in front of me.  “The woman’s name is Ophelia; Balthus told me about her.  Apparently, she traded her soul to him a couple hundred years ago.  And she was with him the night he won the unaligned soul from the goblin.”

“When did Balthus tell you about this woman?” Lorien asked with a frown.

“When I spoke with him at the prison.  He made me swear not to tell the police about her—and when you hear what she’s like, you’ll see why it wouldn’t do any good for them to interview her anyway.  She already told me everything she knows about the goblin—and it wasn’t much.”

Lorien was shaking her head.  “I watched your entire interview with Balthus on the screen in his cell.  He never said anything about anyone named Ophelia.”

“He spoke to me in my head just as Sparrow was pulling me out,” I explained.

Lorien’s eyes widened in shock.  “I’d heard that death djinns have that ability, but it’s said they only use it to communicate with their chosen mates,” she murmured.

“Well, maybe he did it out of desperation, hoping I’d prove his story and get him out of jail,” I said uncomfortably.  I didn’t want to consider the ramifications of Balthus deciding I was his ‘chosen mate’.

“I don’t like it, Sydney,” Lorien said, concern painting her features.

“What’s to like,” I grumbled.

“Why would Balthus think you could prove his story and get him out of jail?” Sunny interjected.  “We’re going on the premise that he’s guilty here, remember?  That’s how we’re going to get your contract cancelled.  That bastard is
not
going to use you to prove he’s innocent!”

“I don’t know why he told me about Ophelia,” I groaned, rubbing my fingers hard over my face.  I breathed deep, trying to collect my thoughts.  “Maybe he thinks that by proving he won the soul from someone else, instead of stealing it himself, people will be more likely to believe that he didn’t know it was illegal.”

“And he’d probably be right about that,” Lorien muttered.

“But even if he got the soul from the goblin, it doesn’t mean he didn’t know it was unaligned.  Sparrow will realize that,” I said.  I could hear the edge of desperation in my voice.

“Of course he will,” Sunny soothed.  “Patrick Sparrow’s mind is one of the sharpest tacks in his very well-appointed tool box.”  She winked at me cheekily.

“Agent Sparrow is the top detective on the Seelie squad,” Lorien agreed, joining forces with Sunny to ease my escalating panic.  “And you’re right, Sydney.  We don’t know Balthus’ motives for telling you about Ophelia—so there’s no use worrying ourselves with speculation.  Why don’t you go ahead and tell me what you found out about the goblin.”

“Okay,” I breathed, trying to quiet a fresh bout of anxiety.    

I related the entire Ophelia experience, with Sunny interjecting whenever she felt I was leaving something out.  At the end of the tale, Lorien appeared to be just as disturbed as I had been.

“I can see why Balthus wouldn’t want Ophelia questioned by the police,” Lorien stated with a sad shake of her head.  “She probably wouldn’t handle it particularly well, and who knows what secrets of his she has running around in her brain after two centuries.  It
does
sound like she told you everything relevant to the case that she was capable of telling.”

“So you agree there’s no reason to tell Sparrow about her, then,” I reiterated for confirmation.

“I said I wouldn’t tell him, didn’t I?” Lorien answered, flashing me a look of irritation.

“Did you know that’s what happens after a couple of centuries with a death djinn—I’d start to go bonkers and you’d be tied to my crazy ass forever?” I asked her with forced levity.

Lorien looked at me for a moment, her plum-colored eyes softening.  “I’m your faerie guardian, Sydney.  I chose you at birth.  I’ll never abandon you.”

My lower lip wobbled, just a little. 

Then Lorien smiled, her wings beginning to flicker faster.  “I can’t believe we might actually get to talk to Lauringer!  Emily was right—if there’s any magical help to be had, she’s the one to give it.  I’ve always wanted to meet her!”

“Hmm, I guess I could bring you along.  Although, with her being so reclusive, maybe it would be better if I talked to her alone…”

Disappointment flared in Lorien’s eyes, but when she noticed the teasing twitch of my lips, it transformed into a look that promised reprisal.  “Very funny,” she mumbled.

I laughed.  “Of course you’re coming with me!  That is—if she agrees to see me at all,” I added.  “What about the Grimy Goblin and the Hell Ride, though?”

“And the infinity tattoo on the goblin’s hand,” Sunny piped up.  “Do you have any idea if that means anything?”

Lorien’s brow creased in thought.  “I’ll have to ask around.  It doesn’t tweak my wings, but I’m not really familiar with the various goblin societies and organizations.  It’s surprising that a goblin would mark himself in such a distinctive manner, though—as a race, they pride themselves on their physical similarities. 

“As for the Grimy Goblin, I think it would be best if we left that up to Agent Sparrow.  The goblin territories are notoriously unfriendly to outsiders.  And I’m sure Agent Sparrow has some goblin connections.  He should be able to send someone in to poke around without attracting any attention. 

“Don’t even think about trying to find the Hell Ride,” Lorien added bluntly.  “You don’t want to have anything to do with the Unseelie Court.”

I wasn’t going to argue.  I had already decided the Hell Ride would be my last resort.

“If that’s everything, I think we should call Agent Sparrow and let him know what you found out.  The more help we have, the better.  And he and I made a deal to exchange information.  When he sees I’m keeping my side of the bargain, he’ll feel obliged to keep his,” she said, sounding pleased. 

“
You
can tell him the info came from an anonymous source.”  The unrestrained glee in her voice triggered warning bells, but before I could comment, she disappeared.

I grimaced at Sunny.  “You don’t think he’ll be too mad about me not wanting to tell him, do you?”

“Good afternoon, ladies,” a warm Irish brogue drawled behind me.  “Lorien claims you have some urgent information for me.”

I made a strangled sound.  Goddess criminy—she could have warned me!  I was suddenly and keenly aware that I was still in my pajamas.  Embarrassment warred with a perverse thankfulness for my choice of sleeping attire.  In place of my usual ragged t-shirt and oversized boxers, I wore a loose tank-top of thin white cotton that emphasized my breasts, and fell just short of the low drawstring waist of my cotton sleep pants.

I hurriedly sat up and sucked in my stomach, restraining the more obvious urge to smooth my hand over my tousled hair.  I didn’t remember it sticking out at any weird angles when I’d glanced in the mirror earlier.

Lorien reappeared and resumed her seat on the edge of the glass coffee table, her avid expression making it plain that she intended to enjoy the effects of Sparrow’s unannounced presence. 

“Patrick—so nice to see you again!” Sunny exclaimed, noting my reactions with an amused gleam in her eyes.  “Please forgive our casual state of dress—Lorien didn’t tell us you were coming,” she continued.  “Would you like a cup of coffee?”

“Thank you, Sunny, coffee would be perfect—black please,” he accepted gratefully.  “And my pleasure to see you again as well,” he added as Sunny rose to get his drink.  She gave him a pleasant smile, and then shot me a smirk behind his back on her way to the kitchen.

“I apologize for blinking in like that.  Lorien’s message led me to believe that you needed me here directly,” Sparrow said in a wry tone, his gaze fixed on Lorien.  She shrugged in feigned innocence.

“It’s nice to know the Seelie police have such good response time,” I joked, having somewhat recovered from his sudden appearance.  “Please, have a seat.”

His blue eyes traveled over me, growing hot above the small smile splayed across his lips.  “It’s my pleasure to protect and serve you, Sydney.”

A jolt of response traveled through my body, every nerve ending coming to life beneath his gaze.  I felt my nipples harden beneath the thin cotton of my tank-top and I forced myself to breathe.  “Such dedication,” I bantered.

“You have no idea,” he grinned.  He joined me on the loveseat, his proximity heightening my senses to an almost unbearable level.  His elbow brushed my arm as he leaned back, and his woodsy scent stole over me, intensifying my reaction. 

All I needed to complete the sensual torture was taste—and he definitely looked good enough to eat.

His aura was fresh and vital, the day’s stubble not yet having begun to shadow the expanse of his jaw.  The sleeves of his white, long-sleeved cotton work shirt were rolled up to his elbows, revealing tanned, tattooed forearms.  And his dark slacks hinted at muscular hips and thighs. 

Lorien watched our exchange in silence, looking like an extremely small and unrepentant cat that had swallowed an even smaller canary.  I could almost picture the telltale tiny yellow feather sticking out of her mouth.

“Sydney came across some information about the goblin who gave Balthus the unaligned soul,” she said with a crooked smile.

“I see,” Sparrow replied, looking from Lorien back to me.  “What sort of information?”

“Well, it’s not much,” I began, pausing while Sparrow accepted a steaming mug from Sunny.  He murmured his thanks as she dropped onto the couch opposite us.  “For one thing,” I continued, “we found out that Balthus met the goblin at a tavern called the Grimy Goblin on the outskirts of the goblin territories.” 

“Balthus already told us that and we’ve put feelers out there, but it’s almost impossible to track down a goblin without a name,” Sparrow said evenly.  “Anything else?”

“Oh,” I said, a little crestfallen.  “Well, I wasn’t able to get the goblin’s name, but I found out that he has a tattoo or mark of some kind on the palm of his hand.  It looks like the symbol for infinity.”