and said, "So are you going to stop playing games with me and help Elaine, Aurora?"
She glanced over at Elaine, lying on the ground, and her expression grew troubled. "That depends."
My teeth clenched, and I said in a falsely pleasant voice, "On what?"
She turned her calm, inhuman eyes to me. "On you."
"Dont go getting specific on me, now," I said. "I wouldnt know how to handle it."
"Do you think this is a joke, Mr. Dresden? A game?"
"I know damn well it isnt a game."
She shook her head. "And that is where you are wrong. It is a game, but unlike the ones you know. You arent allowed to know the rules to this game, and it was never intended to be fair. Do you know why Mab chose you, wizard?"
I glared at her. "No."
"Neither do I," she said. "And that is my part of the game. Why choose you? It must be because she expects something of you that she would get from no one else. Perhaps bringing Ela here is what she expected."
"Whats the difference?" I demanded. "Elaine is hurt. Your Emissary has been wounded in the line of duty. Dont you think you should get her moving again?"
"But if that is what Winter expects, it could be used against me. I am the least Queen of Summer, but even so I must be cautious in the use of my power."
I snorted. "Maeve sure as hell doesnt think that way."
"Of course not," she said. "Shes Winter. Shes violent, vicious, merciless."
"And your centaur is just the soul of gentleness and understanding."
Aurora sighed and lowered her clay-crusted fingers. "I hope you will forgive Korricks temper. He is usually a merrier sort. Everyones been edgy because of matters here."
"Uh-huh," I said. "Just so were clear, that was really mortal food, wasnt it?"
"Yes," she said. "I have no desire to threaten your freedom, Mister Dresden, or to bind you in any way."
"Good." I knew she couldnt lie to me, so I took another bite of the sandwich and some more chips. "Look, Im not here to try to undermine your power or sabotage Summer, Aurora. I just want you to help Elaine."
"I know," she said. "I believe you. But I dont trust you."
"What reason do you have not to trust me?"
"Ive watched you," she responded. "Youre a mercenary. You work for hire."
"Yeah. To pay the bills and"
She lifted a hand. "Youve made bargains with demons."
"Nickel-and-dime stuff, nothing huge or"
"You traded yourself to the Leanansidhe for power."
"When I was younger, and a hell of a lot stupider, and in trouble"
Her inhuman eyes met mine, penetrating. "Youve killed. "
I looked away from her. There wasnt much to say to that. My stomach turned, and I pushed the food a bit away from me.
Aurora nodded, slowly. "From the beginning, you have been meant to be a destroyer. A killer. Do you know the original purpose of a godparent, Mr. Dresden?"
"Yeah," I said. I felt tired. "A godparent was chosen to ensure that a child had religious and moral guidance and teaching."
"Indeed," she said. "And your godmother, your teacher and guide, is the most vicious creature of Mabs Court, more than Maeves equal, second in strength only to Mab herself."
I let out a harsh laugh. "Teacher? Guide? Is that what you think Lea is to me?"
"Isnt she?"
"Lea barely noticed me except when she thought she could get something from me," I spat. "The rest of the time she couldnt care less. The only thing she taught me was that if I didnt want to get walked on I had to be smarter than her, stronger than her, and willing to do something about it."
Aurora turned her lovely face fully toward me and regarded me with deep, quiet eyes. "Yes." Unease gnawed at my belly as she continued. "The strong conquer and the weak are conquered. That is Winter. That is what you have learned." She leaned closer and said, quietly emphatic, "That is what makes you dangerous. Do you see?"
I stood up and walked a few paces away. Aurora didnt say anything. I heard drips of water as she washed her hands in the little bowl.
"If you arent going to help Elaine, tell me. Ill take her to the hospital."
"Do you think I should help her?"
"I dont give a damn if you do or not," I said. "But one way or another Im going to make sure shes taken care of. Make up your mind."
"I already have. What remains is for you to make up yours."
I took