The Spell of Rosette - Kim Falconer [142]
‘Of course,’ Nell smiled. ‘I’d be delighted.’
‘She didn’t buy it,’ An’ Lawrence said, grimacing when he caught the look in Makee’s eyes. He sat up, propping his back with pillows.
‘Why not?’ Makee tapped her fingers on the bedside table. ‘She has no reason to suspect.’
‘Really? Nellion is not as trusting as you think.’
‘She wants something from you,’ Makee said, her brow narrowing.
‘What do you mean?’
‘Any fool can sense it.’
‘What if you aren’t a fool?’
Makee eyed him closely, shifting from the chair onto the bed. She sat upright, tucking both her feet under her, leaning towards his face.
‘Is there something you’ve left out, Rowan? Something you aren’t telling me?’
An’ Lawrence held firmly to his mind-shield, and with good reason. They were plotting their next move, but there was much he wasn’t telling her—had no intention of telling her—and he wasn’t about to let her sense it. If La Makee knew that Rosette still lived, and that she was his daughter to boot, his plans would tumble.
‘I think I know where Nell’s going, though,’ he said, looking into the fire to avoid her eyes.
‘Where?’
‘Rahana Iti.’
‘What’s she up to?’ Makee frowned. ‘Island magic?’
‘I don’t know, but she didn’t want me to be a part of it.’
‘Doesn’t make sense. She wants you with her.’
‘You sound so certain.’
‘I am.’
‘If that’s true, she resisted her desires, Makee. I asked if I could come.’
‘And?’
‘She turned me down flat.’
‘Bruised ego, Sword Master?’
An’ Lawrence didn’t answer. Scylla was off the bed now, stretched out on the floor in front of the hearth.
Careful, the feline warned him. She’s suspicious. Thinks something’s up, but can’t spot it for looking. She’s going to ask you about Rosette. I’d create a diversion, but she’d know it was a sham. She’s pretty sharp. Mind your words if you don’t want to tell her the truth.
Thanks, beautiful. I will.
He had wanted to sit by the fire with Scylla and rough her neck. Their close call on the mountain made him realise his vulnerability. A life without Scylla would be unbearable. He shut out the emerging feelings as they began to rise. Then he thought for a moment of Rosette and her mother before slamming the door on that also. He rubbed the back of his neck, focusing his mind.
‘Tell me again how you managed to get the vial out of Kreshkali’s grasp, but not Rosette?’ Makee scanned his face.
‘Drayco, her familiar…’
‘I know the black temple cat, Rowan. Just tell me what happened.’
Sweat started to bead on his forehead. He hoped she would think it was from his fever and not his lies. ‘Drayco brought the vial to us. He dropped it at our feet before collapsing. He died shortly after, though Nell tried to revive him. It must have been Rosette’s final request, to bring us the vial, otherwise he would never have left her side.’ He buried his face in his hands. ‘The Lupins would have consumed her.’
Makee put her hand on his shoulder. ‘So you never actually saw her body?’
‘We’ve been over this, Makee.’ An’ Lawrence sighed as he looked up. ‘If you doubt me, march your glorious arse up to Los Loma and ask Kreshkali yourself what happened. They gave their lives—Rosette and her familiar—so we could gain the spell. The vial isn’t what you hoped it would be, but Rosette and Drayco were, I promise.’
‘You grieve for her, that’s understandable.’
‘Of course I do. She was my newest apprentice. Strong arm, agile body, great magic. I had high hopes.’
‘Scylla doesn’t seem too upset.’
He stuck his finger in his ear and gave it a vigorous scratch. ‘What?’
‘She was getting close with Rosette’s big black. I thought they might mate.’
Like that would be any of her concern. Scylla’s whiskers twitched.
‘It would’ve been a real boon for Treeon,’ Makee continued. ‘A nice batch of cubs—familiars for our high-ranking adepts.’
She was always jealous that you and I have each other. Watch out. Mulengro’s in the room.
An’ Lawrence stole a glance at the door. Scylla was sensitive to mulengro, in any of its forms. All animals