She smiled, and I noticed her teeth were a little sharper than normal. But that was nothing compared to her hair. It was shades of deep, dark blue with light green highlights. It sounds odd, but it was gorgeous on her. Her eyes were the color of green glass marbles, clear and bright, and her skin was pale with almost a green tint. She was wearing a gossamer dress, and I could vaguely make out her breasts through the front of the material. I was instantly embarrassed. What was it with the see-through clothes floating around Western Europe?
“I am Sarenia,” the woman said, her voice rich and melodious. “I am here to see Bahlin, though I’m honored to meet the new Niteclif as well.”
“So you believe in me?” I asked. “Just like that?”
“Oh, I do at that, precious girl,” she said. “I feel your heritage in my heart, for I knew your great-grandfather well. You’ve the look of him, you know. I hope you’ll serve us as well as he did.”
There was that no pressure thing again. Just fabulous. I continued to stare at her and unbidden the word mermaid breathed voiceless through my mind. I wondered if recognizing supernatural creatures was one of my skills that Bahlin had referenced. I thought I’d test the envelope since I was as alone with this woman as one could be in a crowded hotel lobby.
“What are you?” I asked more bluntly than I intended. I winced, hoping I hadn’t offended her.
She chuckled and her voice sounded of sea gulls calling out over the waves, and I knew I was right. I smiled, and she smiled back.
“You may refer to me as a mermaid, as the sailors’ legends do. But to be accurate, I am an Atlantean and a member of the High Council, representing the smaller groups who lack significant numbers.”
I stared at her, confused.
Interpreting my look, her smile gentled as much as it could on her severe face and she said, “Atlanteans come from Atlantis, child.”
My mouth formed a silent O, and I couldn’t quite catch my breath. “Okay. If you’re a member of the High Council, where were you yesterday?”
“I had an emergency that held me away. I understand you were fully affirmed, though I will offer you the oath myself. But right now,—” she inclined her head toward the front desk and Bahlin’s approach, “—it will have to wait.”
“Sarenia,” came his voice over my shoulder. “It’s good to see you here. I’ve received your message. What may I do for you?” asked Bahlin.
“We’ve found a body,” she said, sorrow lacing her voice. “She was a limnade,
and—”
“Pardon me,” I said quietly, “but what’s a lemonade?”
“No, Maddy. Limnade. It’s a water sprite that lives in a lake. Water sprites have the gift of foresight, and sometimes the ability to make prophecies. It was a sprite that first told of your coming.” She looked at Bahlin, and he looked irritated. “You have not told her of this?”
He hunched his shoulders defensively and said, “She knew she was prophesied.”
“Hellion took the prophecy offered by the same sprite that was just killed and delivered it to the Council in her stead. She came later and repeated it to ensure we knew when you would arrive.”
“So you all knew I was coming?” A dreadful thought was developing.
“We did, Niteclif. We knew the day and time, even the event, that would trigger your heritage Change.”
“And only the Council knew?” The feeling was getting worse.
“We agreed we would not share the information lest an unnaturally large gathering of people showed up in the middle of the night at the circle to watch your indoctrination event.” She cocked her head to the side, looking at me intently, her eyes darkening the slightest bit. “Did you see anyone at the circle?”
She was too observant by half. Maybe she should take over the Niteclif role. I was ready to give it to her. And now I was in a position to have to disclose that I’d been watched that night. I didn’t want to do this.
“Maddy?” Bahlin asked, steel lacing his voice, his back ramrod straight.
“You knew?” I turned toward Bahlin. “So you knew the stone circle that I’d come to, even before I was affirmed?”
“I did. But Tarrek affirmed you so fast that there was little time to do aught but move forward with your Change. Once he said the words, Maddy, it was irrevocable.”
I stared at him, the tenuous trust we’d built shattering into a million tiny pieces.