Playing With Fire - Katie MacAlister [95]
‘‘A few minutes ago, yes. She said she had something to do, and left.’’
‘‘She left? What on earth . . . ?’’ I pulled out my cell phone and punched in her number.
Drake left his room bearing another suitcase. Through the open door I could see Aisling gathering up a few books to tuck into a book bag.
Jim wandered out. ‘‘Funny time to call someone.’’
‘‘I’m trying to get hold of Cy.’’ I waited a few seconds before hanging up, a cold, clammy hand gripping my stomach. ‘‘Voice mail. She’s not answering. I have a horrible feeling I know where she is.’’
‘‘Where who is?’’ Aisling asked as she emerged from the room.
‘‘Cyrene. I think she went to tail Kostya. Silly, stupid . . . He won’t hurt her if he sees her, will he?’’ I asked Drake as he came upstairs again.
He paused to consider the question. ‘‘He has no cause to. The only reason he held a knife to her before was because he thought she was you, and he will not make that mistake again.’’
I relaxed slightly. ‘‘I don’t know why I’m worrying— she’s never followed anyone before. I’m sure Kostya will realize immediately that she’s shadowing him, and won’t waste any time shaking her. I just hope she has enough sense to go home rather than to try to follow us to Paris.’’
‘‘I have a friend in town who I’ll call to check on her if it’ll ease your mind,’’ Aisling said, turning back to her room. ‘‘Thanks, sweetie, that’s everything, I think. I’ll be down in just a minute.’’
Drake nodded and went downstairs. I followed Aisling into her bedroom, standing uneasily as she called a number and left a message.
‘‘Nora’s out right now, but I’ll try her again in a bit, all right?’’
‘‘Thank you. It’ll make me feel better knowing someone is keeping an eye out for Cy. Er . . .’’ I bit my lower lip. ‘‘Do you have a minute? I wanted to talk to you really quickly, without being overheard.’’
She looked mildly surprised but sat down on the end of the bed and nodded toward a chair. ‘‘Of course.’’
Jim ambled over, plopping itself down at her feet.
I glanced at the demon. ‘‘Er . . .’’
‘‘Jim, shoo,’’ Aisling said, correctly reading my thoughts.
‘‘What? I’m not doing anything!’’
‘‘You’re making May uncomfortable. Go see what the boys are doing.’’
‘‘Whatever it is, it won’t be nearly as interesting as this,’’ it answered.
‘‘Oh, it doesn’t matter, I guess,’’ I said with a tight smile. ‘‘Jim might have some helpful insights as well.’’
‘‘I’m all over helpful insights, sister,’’ it told me with an oddly endearing grin. ‘‘What’s the problem? You can tell Dr. Jim. Is it something in the romance department? Need some advice on how to handle Gabriel?’’
‘‘No, thank you—’’
‘‘Ah. Then it’s the sex, right? Fiery, animalistic, dragon sex too much for you?’’
It was difficult to keep from rolling my eyes. ‘‘Thank you, my sex life is not open to—’’
‘‘What’s the silver dragon element? Earth?’’ Jim’s face screwed up as it thought. ‘‘Oh, man, that means he’s gonna want to do it outdoors all the time. Buck naked in the wilderness. My advice is to take sunscreen and bug spray. And maybe a spatula or something to dig the sand out of your butt crack, in case he takes you to a beach.’’
‘‘Jim!’’ Aisling said, wrapping her hands around the demon’s muzzle. She shot me an apologetic look. ‘‘I’m so sorry. It knows better than to offer unwanted sexual advice.’’
‘‘Just trying to be helpful,’’ it said in a muffled voice.
‘‘Well, you’re not. And you can just be quiet unless you have something of importance to offer to the conversation,’’ Aisling told it as she released its muzzle. ‘‘Go on, May. Tell me what it is you want.’’
‘‘It’s about demon lords,’’ I said softly, glancing toward the open door. No one was visible, but I wanted to avoid Gabriel overhearing us.
‘‘Oh, that’s right—your twin said you were bound to one,’’ Aisling said, nodding. ‘‘Are you having a problem with . . . er . . . which one is it?’’
‘‘Magoth.’’
She thought for a moment, and then