you may encounter a high priestess, Yemeli-lor, and her odious mate, a warrior named Baklinor-ten.”
Though numerous sarcastic comments popped into my head, I managed to keep my mouth shut and listen.
“The two I seek stole from a prominent dragon family an artifact of cultural and historical significance,” Zav continued, “and they are using it in their foul sacrifices to their bloodthirsty goddess. If you see them, you will bring them to me. If you see the artifact, you will retrieve it for me.”
“Uh.” I lifted a finger to protest further, but he reached for me.
Startled, I tried to leap back, but some invisible power immobilized me, and I couldn’t move. He pressed the heel of his palm against my forehead, his fingers resting against my hair. What the hell?
“It looks like this.”
An image surged into my mind on a wave of power that would have dropped me to my knees if his magic hadn’t been holding me. I saw a thick platter carved from some purple and blue swirling stone or gem that I didn’t recognize, and on it lay a great gilded eggshell cracked into two pieces and adhered to the surface. The interior of the broken egg glowed with a soft blue light.
Zav removed his hand, and the power gripping me disappeared. I locked my knees before they could buckle and did my best to hide the shakiness of my breath.
He watched me for several long seconds.
“Is it my turn to speak now?” I asked.
“It would be appropriate for you to obediently say you’ll do my bidding.”
“Uh huh. I don’t know how you know I’m looking for a dark elf—maybe you’re a fan of Zoltan’s internet alchemy channel—but the ones you named aren’t the one I’m looking for. I need a cure for my boss, not a weird dragon artifact.”
His eyes narrowed again. Sindari stood next to me and bumped his hip against my side. Possibly, it was a show of support, but more likely, he was reminding me not to irk the dragon.
“I may be willing to help you,” I continued, though I was already daunted by my own quest, “in exchange for a small vial of your blood for Zoltan.”
“Nobody takes a dragon’s blood to use for magical debauchery. Or for any other reason. I have already told that alchemist that he will get himself killed—further—if he attempts to collect such a thing.”
“That’s probably why he wants me to collect it.”
“No doubt he sees you as expendable.”
“What were you doing talking to him, and why can’t you get your own dark elves?”
“I sensed that several dark elves were above the surface and easily accessible. I went to see if any of them were the two I sought. They were not, but I am no longer surprised when you are found in the presence of the magical. Whether you accept the honor or not, you are my perfect bait. And I will continue to use you as such.”
He looked so smugly pleased at having discovered my secret utility. I wanted to punch him in the nose. It was a straight, strong handsome nose, so it would feel particularly satisfying to smash it, but even if he looked like a human, I doubted he was as fragile as a human.
“When you aren’t sending me in to do your work for you,” I said.
Fresh irritation—or maybe that was indignation—rose to his eyes. “Find the criminals and the artifact, and I will reward you.”
“By not using me as bait?”
“No. I will use you as bait. The sooner I complete my task, the sooner I may leave this vermin-infested world. What other reward would you wish?”
“A vial of your blood.”
“Not that.”
“A cure for my boss.”
“I am not an alchemist.”
“Then I need a vial of your blood. What’s the big deal? I saw how humongous you are. It’s not like you’re going to miss it.”
Most guys would be delighted to be called humongous, but Zav stepped back, tension snapping into his body. It was only then that I realized he’d been speaking to me normally, almost pleasantly. Until I’d pissed him off again.
“No dragon would allow his blood to be experimented on, not by another dragon, and definitely not by some vampire vermin.”
I had a feeling he considered everyone who wasn’t a dragon to be vermin. “That’s my price. Why can’t you find their lair and get your own dark elves, anyway?”
“I can. I choose to delegate.”
“I didn’t sign up to be your assistant. I have my own mission, someone’s life to