Arrows of Time - Kim Falconer [107]
‘Impressive,’ Jarrod said, returning her smile. He leaned forward, allowing his eyes to wash over the image, taking in the more subtle tones—yellow, mocha and moss edged with crimson—a fierce and compelling landscape between her breasts.
‘Thank you. You’re one of the first to see it.’
He straightened, pushing hair off his forehead. ‘It looks like one of Grayson’s.’
‘You know his work?’
‘He has a distinct style.’ Jarrod tilted his head slightly. ‘What brings you here?’ he asked. ‘Or is this a chance meeting?’
She didn’t answer, but Jarrod felt the gathering of a spell. She was shielding her mind, hiding something that had suddenly risen to the surface of her thoughts. He couldn’t grasp it quick enough before the block was in place.
Selene and Shane stepped up, their swords now level with the woman’s throat. They obviously felt the spell too.
Jarrod turned to them, shaking his head. ‘She’s unarmed.’
‘Perhaps she has no sword, but I sense other weapons,’ Selene said.
‘And that one is definitely well equipped.’ Shane pointed to the temple cat, who stared back at him, unblinking.
‘If the feline was going to attack,’ Jarrod said, ‘you’d already be on the ground.’
‘But not you, right, Jarrod?’ the woman said.
‘You’re right, Nell. Not me.’
The others frowned, lowering their swords and slowly sheathing them. Shane kept his hand on his hilt. Selene’s were planted firmly on her hips.
‘I wondered when we would meet,’ Nell said as she stroked the top of her familiar’s head. ‘This is Torgan, a Dumarkian temple cat. I don’t think you’re familiar with him.’ Nell’s voice was smooth, like water from a silver tap. The feline sat down and yawned, flashing white fangs and a red tongue for an instant before they disappeared, hidden behind a quiet face.
‘Can I ask again what you’re doing here, Nell?’ Jarrod emphasised the location, letting a smile escape with the question.
‘Do you mean here or now?’ She touched her lips with her fingers for a moment before adding, ‘Either way, I’ve been waiting for you.’
‘I was also hoping you’d turn up soon.’
Selene stared at them both, following the conversation from the sidelines. ‘I don’t get it. How do you two know each other?’
‘We go way back,’ Jarrod said. ‘Isn’t that right, Nell?’
The woman winked. ‘Apparently, though I was told of you just recently. Seems we’re quite close…in some worlds.’
‘I’m lost,’ Shane said.
‘Me too.’ Selene pushed back her hair when the wind flattened it against her brow. ‘Do you know each other or not?’
‘We do now,’ Nell answered, ‘and we’ve business to attend to.’
Jarrod stepped closer. ‘And what business would that be, Nell?’
‘It’s simple, really. I have information you need—something that’s going to solve problems on many levels—and there’s a minor task you can perform for me in return. I thought we could help each other out. Make an exchange.’
‘Bargaining, Nell?’ Jarrod asked. ‘That’s not like you.’
‘Just what she said too.’ Nell clasped her hands together, squaring her shoulders. ‘Get this straight up and clear. I’m not the mother and mentor of your travel companion. Not on my world and not in this one. I’ve only just met her, by chance as it were. There’s no parallel in my time—no Jarrod or Rosette.’
‘Nor is there a Torgan in mine,’ Jarrod interrupted.
‘But you have met Rosette, and me, for that matter,’ Shane said.
Selene and Jarrod both stared at Shane.
‘Indeed I have, bard.’
‘You followed them through the portal. Into the corridors?’ Jarrod asked.
‘Bingo.’
‘How did you manage that?’
‘Easy, really. The Entity recognised me, though no one else did. It was quite pleased, I think, to have me about, so I decided to do some scouting.’
‘What sort of scouting?’
‘Here and there, back and forth,’ she said, her lips parting in a smile. ‘I’ve been to quite a few of the many-worlds now—I’ve seen things first-hand even you may not be aware of.’
Jarrod hooded his eyes, calculating the myriad