Smolder (Crown of Fae #3) - Sharon Ashwood Page 0,43

“I heard a news bulletin about cosplayers disturbing traffic along the highway. Don’t do that again. And don’t go flashing those knives in public. Human authorities get nervous.”

Morran decided she’d changed the subject long enough. “You asked why we were here. Juradoc has sent an agent after John Barleycorn. He intends to take him prisoner.”

Anna sprang to her feet. “What?”

The sudden move startled Leena, who grabbed for her knife. Morran put out his hands in a calming gesture. Anna’s sudden reaction confirmed one thing. Juradoc’s information was good. She did indeed know Barleycorn.

“I heard this from the general’s lips, assuming he has any,” Morran continued. “He believes you are the key to locating him.”

Anna swallowed, her features drawing tight. “Oh?”

“He’s been watching you in a mirror. Evidently, your concealment spells aren’t consistent.”

She flushed. “I never worried too hard about this place. I’m hardly ever here.”

Morran fervently hoped Juradoc wasn’t checking the mirror now. “Your one advantage is that I don’t think he knows your name.”

Anna released her breath in a rush. “Then how did you know where to find me?”

“We found you by chance,” Leena said, speaking up for the first time since she’d rejoined the group. “Or perhaps it wasn’t chance at all. The agent we’re searching for is my brother. He’s under Juradoc’s control.”

Anna’s brow gathered in a frown. “You mean, he has the rot?”

Leena nodded, her misery plain.

“Then we had better move. If the Shades find us, we’re all as good as dead.”

15

“Understand three things,” Anna said. “First, you do not fit in here, so keep your mouths shut and follow my lead.”

“Happily,” Leena said. She still didn’t trust the woman, but she recognized her efficiency.

They were on foot, moving at a pace just short of a run. Anna had quickly found clothes for them. She’d given Leena black leggings, a cotton jacket, and a stretchy top patterned with running wolves. Most welcome were the lace-up canvas shoes. They were a size too large, but thick socks helped.

Morran’s boots and leggings were plain enough to escape notice. Now he wore a long-sleeved shirt advertising beer that belonged to one of Anna’s friends—someone named Burtock.

“Second, I’m only letting you come because your brother is involved. I understand what it is to lose family, and you might be helpful if we find him—if he’s not too far gone.”

Leena nodded, suddenly unable to find her voice.

“Third, know that I have a pack at my command. These aren’t your latte-drinking, poetry night kinda wolves. If you’ve misled me or mess with us in any way, you will regret your actions.”

“Understood,” Morran replied, sounding a touch impatient.

Anna led them across a street. Almost at once, a hospital came into view.

Apparently, Barleycorn had been there, unconscious, for some time. The pack members were his security guards. As their leader, Anna had taken the nearby apartment for convenience.

The coma had been unexpected news. Whether the Shades knew about it was a good question.

Anna slowed when they got close enough to see the building in detail. The afternoon was fading into dusk, washing the streets in shadowy blues. Leena studied the place, mentally contrasting it to her own healing temple. Her place desperately needed repair and supplies, but still managed to serve everyone—even the lowliest beggars.

This hospital was an ornate stone building four stories high, topped with a peaked copper roof. It was set far back from the road, surrounded by grass and trees. A wrought-iron fence circled the perimeter of the property, adding to the stately look of the place. This, Leena guessed, was no hospital for the poor.

“Plenty of opportunity for concealment on the grounds,” Morran muttered.

Anna grunted her agreement. “It’s an old place, not built with security in mind. Multiple entries, windows that open. That’s one reason the pack provides added security. I was on my way here to take my turn on guard when you stopped me.”

She pointed toward the grounds. “And this was definitely the source of the quake. Look, I think the power is out. Those must be emergency workers if they’re on the job after hours.”

They were walking beside the grounds now. Inside the fence, men with tool belts were milling back and forth, pointing to a pole strung with cables. A few examined the building’s foundations, no doubt looking for obvious structural damage.

Kifi poked her head out of the backpack Leena now carried, straining to get a view of the place. Mo, though now sworn to his new mistress’s service, had refused any form of transportation beyond