The Spell of Rosette - Kim Falconer [104]
‘You have nothing we want,’ the Lupin said.
The three of them leaned towards Rosette, drawing in her scent.
‘We do,’ An’ Lawrence countered evenly. ‘Treeon has uncovered a vein of lapis lazuli. I believe the stone is sacred to your race. We offer it freely, unasked.’
All three shifted in their tracks.
‘Show us.’
Rosette was relieved to be out from under their scrutiny. The Lupins were riveted as the Sword Master pulled a black velvet bag from his coat lining. Holding it by its braided cord, he handed it over without hesitation. The Lupin opened the bag.
Rosette marvelled at how the Lupin’s face softened. He hardly glanced at the contents but simply held it to his chest for several heartbeats. Tucking it into a fold within his leather coverings, he released a sound, the murmur of a she-wolf to her first pup.
‘We admire the courage it must have taken to return what is ours.’ His eyes narrowed; his face, though wildly handsome, became severe. ‘Why do you risk it?’
‘You’d have sniffed it out sooner or later, and it occurred to us that doing so would be the more dangerous option,’ the Sword Master replied.
The Lupin did not smile back.
Rosette wondered at the Sword Master’s frankness. He didn’t seem to be trying to hide anything from these creatures. Maybe he was of the same mind as Nell—Speak as close to the truth as you can.
‘We ask a favour in return,’ An’ Lawrence continued. His voice was strong and clear.
I’m glad you’re so confident about all this. Rosette shot him the thought though he didn’t answer back.
‘We owe you no favour,’ the Lupin replied.
‘Think of it more as a trade. The source of lapis within our lands is rich. If we can come to some agreement…’
The Lupins looked at each other in silence.
‘Ask what you want. Be quick.’ The leader glanced up to the cloud-covered sun, the opaque glow rapidly heading west.
‘We seek an amulet, a faceted-crystal vial that glows blue at night, clear in the light of day. It was taken from an estate in Lividica six winters ago. I think your queen has something to do with it.’
Rosette gasped. What was he saying? She yanked on his coat again and this time he hit her hand, smacking it hard.
‘We know of this amulet. What does it contain?’
‘The Spell of Passillo.’ He said the words softly, like a prayer.
Passillo? No wonder he had told her nothing. Goddess forgive them! They can’t be messing with Passillo.
What had she gotten mixed up in? The Spell of Passillo was buried centuries ago by an ancient witch, if history had it right. It was not to be found, not to be touched. And if somehow it was found, it was not to be used, not unless all the demons and angels of Gaela commanded it, and Rosette was certain there had been no such command. Sword Master or not, An’ Lawrence had no right to dabble with such a power. No-one on Gaela did.
What are you doing? She screamed the thought at him through clenched teeth. What amulet?
She clamped her jaw tight, her eyes popping. He must have it wrong. She knew that vial, and it had nothing to do with Passillo. It was a charm given to her mother by Nell who…She gulped. Oh no. Nell found Passillo?
‘We have heard of this,’ the central Lupin said.
And Bethsay gave it to me? Rosette’s mind continued to race. Who did An’ Lawrence think could carry the spell back to Treeon if these Lupins actually had it and were willing to offer it up? Only females could work this kind of magic. Only…She swallowed hard again. Then she growled under her breath, Demon’s death to you, An’ Lawrence. You have no right to use me like this!
Had the Lupins sacked her house and killed her family for the amulet? Her hand went to her sword. Were these the murderers? Rosette didn’t know who she wanted to cut first, An’ Lawrence or the Lupins.
What’s Passillo, Maudi? The warm touch of Drayco’s question interrupted her fervour. Rosette stilled her mind, shielding the rage, keeping her exterior a calm shell.
Finally, something I know that you do not!
I don’t know your star-lore.
But you seem to know everything else.