Kira fidgeted, her boot squeaking against the green goo on the stone. If Zamara is loose . . . Suddenly her news about the Malaano aiding the Emberhawk attack plans didn’t seem so important.
“I’m looking for Ryon,” she said. “He said you always know how to find him.”
Felix’s brilliant emerald eyes thinned. “He didn’t tell you where he lives?”
“I’m, uh . . . I’m sure he was going to, but we got separated.” She glanced at Tekkyn, who remained still as a statue. Lee’s face was several shades lighter as it peeked up through the trapdoor.
“If you knew him well enough, you’d know where to find him.” Felix’s gaze cut into Kira like a scalpel. “What do you want with him?”
Her throat tightened. “Well, does he live near the orphanage for Emberhawk children?”
“Oh, he must like you a lot to have told you that.” That grin worked its way back onto Felix’s long face. “So that’s why you want to find him, eh?”
Kira flushed. “I . . . that’s . . .” She realized her brothers were watching and hastily cleared her throat. “I think he’s in danger, and I wanted to warn him.”
The fox’s chipper visage melted into the hearth. “What kind of danger?”
“The Emberhawk are planning to set fire to the city,” Tekkyn said, his hand still on his sword hilt. “I have proof.”
The fire bloomed into blue tongues of radiant heat. Kira winced and huddled behind Tekkyn’s cloak until Felix’s nostrils flared and the flames receded.
“And the Malaano came to know of this?” Felix’s voice dropped low as his eyes flicked over Tekkyn’s features, landing on his tabard.
Tekkyn took a breath that hitched in his throat. “I . . . yes. The Malaano aided them. But I want no part in it.” He released his weapon and bowed even further than the low ceiling already forced him to. “Please help us stop it, great spirit.”
No sound but the fire’s rage filled the air for a long moment. The look in Felix’s pupilless eyes might have ignited Tekkyn right then and there, but after a long moment, the fox spoke. “When are they planning to strike?”
“As soon as they can, in all likelihood,” Tekkyn said. “They’re waiting to receive supplies, but I’ve disrupted them for now.”
The fox stood and his black-tipped ears brushed the top of the hearth. “Thanks for the tip, but don’t worry about the Emberhawk. I’ll deal with them.”
Felix’s form melted into a smaller shape as if the flames had consumed his fur and smelted him into molten silver. As Kira gaped, the fox became a kitten and trotted out of the flames.
The new version of Felix’s green eyes were far less intimidating and more enrapturing. He looked up at Kira and mewed. “Shall we go, then? You won’t find Ryon in this part of the city.”
Kira just stared. “Are you. . . Did you just turn into a trace cat cub?”
Felix looked down at his furry body as if he was admiring his clothing. “I’m travel-sized for your convenience. And less conspicuous. Put me on your shoulder, please.”
Kira couldn’t bring herself to move. The elemental had a smoldering ember flickering on his back. “Is a trace cat supposed to be less conspicuous than a fox?”
“I’m a kitten! Who doesn’t like kittens?” Felix twisted around and licked up the ember as if it were a bite of candy. “People hate foxes. Something about killing chickens.”
Kira reached down and cautiously slipped her hands around Felix. His fur, instead of blazing like the surface of the sun—as she’d expected—was softer than silk. His body felt as floppy and fragile as any kitten’s.
She picked him up and held him with her arms outstretched in front of her, furrowing her brow. “Ryon must have learned it from you.”
The feline face widened into an adorable smile as Felix’s tail twitched beneath him. “Did he get some of your chickens?”
Kira felt a frown battle with a smile on her lips. “It’s not funny. They were good chickens.” She brought him up to her shoulder and cherished the looks on her brothers’ faces as she did so.
The cat nuzzled into the fabric of Kira’s cloak. “I taught him well,” he purred.
38
RYON
“All right, there’s enough for everyone!” Ryon held the bag of honey drops over his head and handed them out to squealing, jumping faces as if they were baby birds. “Gael, you’ve already had like five.” Ryon turned the bag upside down, empty. “That’s it. No