Firedrake - By Bianca D'Arc Page 0,39

special from the moment she’d met him.

Golden and good-looking, Drake was a definite charmer, but there were hidden depths in him that called out to her. She genuinely liked him. And she hadn’t expected that at all.

The thought was faintly disturbing. Generally speaking, she didn’t go for womanizers or Jinn bards with glib tongues, but there was something very special and not at all superficial about Drake. One felt his words were far more than just surface flattery and his eyes held an honesty and integrity she hadn’t expected.

She was drawn to him, which didn’t sit well, but Krysta was honest enough with herself to acknowledge the truth of her own feelings. Drake was gorgeous. Manly, masculine, with more than a hint of devil-may-care attitude and bad boy panache. He was also highly intelligent and sexy in a deep, mysterious way that was altogether alluring.

Krysta had to shake herself out of her contemplation. The man was just too distracting.

“You have information about Wil?” Drake’s deep voice brought her back to the problem at hand.

“A lead. We’ll see if it pans out, but if my source is as reliable as I believe, I didn’t want to waste time summoning someone from the castle and it’s obvious you’re investigating this for them.”

“I promised Roland and Nico I’d find Wil,” Drake said, shrugging his broad shoulders as if such a momentous task was an everyday occurrence. But then, perhaps it was, Krysta thought. She knew full well that Drake was highly placed in the Jinn spy network.

It was significant to her that Drake was also on a first name basis with the king of Draconia and Prince of Spies, but she didn’t let her surprise show. She sent a knowing look to her brother, who thankfully picked up on her silent signal.

“As Captain of the Guard, I’m assigning Krysta to this case exclusively until Prince William is found. I’m also authorizing travel and expenses to that end and give her over to your care, Master Drake, for the duration.”

Krysta thought that last part was going a bit far, but didn’t argue the point with her sometimes overprotective brother. The speculative look in Drake’s blue eyes claimed her full attention.

“I could use her skills, and I’m not too proud to admit it. I’ve been away from home a long time and the city’s changed a great deal. I’ll be glad of your assistance, Krysta.”

She warmed under the true respect she saw in his expression. But this was no time to moon over his handsome face. No, there was work to be done.

“Good.” She stood decisively. “Then if you’re finished eating, there’s a man we need to see before he finishes packing.”

Drake stood, nodding to the men as he followed Krysta out the door. “Packing?”

“He’s an outland trader who’s let it be known he plans to depart the city this very afternoon.”

“How convenient.”

“Quite.” Krysta stopped at one of the barrels where an oiled canvas coat lay airing and shrugged into it. It looked like it might rain later.

“You think he’ll stick to his publicized plan?”

“I do. It will rouse less suspicion if he does, but even if he tries to flee, half the Wayfarer Clan is watching his every move at this very moment.”

“Very nice,” Drake commented as she led him to two horses, already saddled and waiting. Krysta had tried to plan for every contingency when she’d heard about the kidnapping in the middle of the night.

The square was one of the larger public spaces, just over the farthest bridge, on the fringes of the old city of Castleton. There they found nothing seemingly amiss, though the bustle for the early morning was a little livelier than one might expect. For one thing, there were more than the usual number of patrons sitting at the three outdoor cafes on the square. For another, the patrons were unusually vigilant as they watched one particular traveling peddler pack up his wagon and clear out his small space in the square’s central market.

Krysta and Drake flanked the wiry man as he looked up from his packing.

“What can I do for you, friends? As you see, most of my wares are packed and I’m on my way out of town, but perhaps there is something I can find to please you.” An oily smile and waving hands accompanied his slick talk.

Drake moved closer.

“We aren’t looking for goods. Merely information.”

The man’s shifty eyes narrowed, seeking over Drake’s shoulder, possibly for an escape route. Drake knew the man’s helpers were