The Night Voice (42 page)

Magiere wheeled on Leesil in fury. “What did you do this time?”

Leesil quickly looked away.

“I warned you, Father,” Wayfarer chided under her breath.

At that, Magiere took a step. “How many this time?”

Leesil winced. “Just . . . two.”

“Two!” Magiere snapped. “That makes six—again!”

Over the passing years, there had been no children for them. She knew that couldn't have been because of him, but it was another sacrifice for the way she had been born.

Just the same, there had always been children. He saw to that a bit too often.

“Don't spit flame and smoke at me, my dragon,” he shot back, though he wouldn't look at her. “What was I supposed to do, leave them on the street to starve or pillage the local bakery?”

Another crash from above mixed with more and more growling and squealing and . . .

“Chap can handle it,” Leesil added.

“He is getting too old,” Wayfarer cut in, now glaring at him as well. “He can barely get up those stairs when we come for a visit.”

“Well, then Shade can do it,” Leesil added with a shrug.

Wayfarer turned on him. “Father, do not dare to put this on her.”

“Oh, seven hells!” he countered. “I handle it year-round, so you two can help out a bit when—”

“Both of you, enough!” Magiere snarled. “Get into the tavern before they bring it down.”

She turned, slammed the back door open with her palm, and rushed inside.

This had been their life for the last thirty years, and no matter how much Magiere fumed, she wouldn't have wished it any other way. Magiere simply made certain Leesil never knew this. It would be so much the worse if he did.

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