Chapter 31

Two days later, I lingered just inside the entry to the Veiled Vaults waiting for Ziola. She was clever and capable and would be fine moving through the Enforcer filled city. I kept telling myself that and pretending that I wasn't worried about her. My thoughts turned to the Eye.

Fearghal found me sitting on the ground with my back to the rough stone wall, still agonizing over the Eye. I could feel it calling me, even through the protective box, when I passed near its hiding place on my way to the Vaults. If it had that much influence after only two visions, how strong must its lure have been on Oris, who had used it repeatedly? Maybe mages were less susceptible, but I doubted it. The raw power was probably like an aphrodisiac for them.

"If it's not an impertinent question, Fearghal, how old are you?"

The diminutive knobblen was ancient and had seen many things over the years. I couldn't imagine he was alive when Oris created the Eye, but maybe he remembered stories that were long since forgotten.

"I do not rightly know, Master Remy. Time is less meaningful for those of us who live underground." His voice rustled like dry leaves, and he regarded me with bright eyes in his wrinkled, bark-like skin.

"Have you ever heard of the Eye of Oris?"

"It was an object of great power. One that can control time itself. But it was lost long ago. Why do you ask?"

"It's back."

Fearghal was motionless for several moments. Then he said, "That is not a good thing. Even Oris could barely control the power he captured in the orb."

"Were you alive then?"

He shook his head and smiled. "I am not that old."

"Who do you think should keep it? Fae, mages, humans?"

"Even if you find someone who can resist the urge to use its power, what happens when they die? Will the next owner be so prudent?"

I sighed and dropped my head back against the stone. "Probably not. I have no interest in power, yet even I feel the pull."

"My advice, Master Remy, is to hide it well—far enough that it doesn't call to you—and then forget about it."

Nodding, I lapsed back into brooding silence until Ziola popped through the entrance. As soon as I saw her, a warm spark ignited in my chest as she touched a place deep inside me that no one had known existed. Especially not me.

I rose from the floor and took her into my arms, briefly resting my cheek on the top of her head. "Did you have any trouble?" I asked into her hair.

"No, everything was fine."

"Good." I stepped away, took her hand, and led her to the alcove I was beginning to consider as ours.

I sat on the single chair and pulled her onto my lap, wrapping my arms around her in a tight embrace. I couldn't understand how simply being with her could feel so right when I hadn't needed anyone in a very long time.

After a few minutes of holding Ziola and inhaling her vanilla and lavender scent, my brain was sluggish and my bones liquid. When Ziola stirred in my arms and pushed her small hands against my chest, I leaned back to gaze into her large green eyes.

"We need to talk about the Eye," she said, wiggling out of my arms.

With a sigh, I released her, and the feeling of completeness drained away with the heat from her body. "We do."

"Lorget came to see me."

I was instantly alert and felt a slight chill run down my spine. "He knows where you live?"

"Yes. He helped me find a room when I first arrived."

That made sense, although I didn't like it. "What did he say?"

"He wants you to turn over the Eye."

"I assumed that much," I said, a touch acerbically. "What else?"

"He was disappointed that you hadn't kept him informed as things progressed."

I rolled my eyes. "I never give him, or anyone else, details. I just report results."

"He seemed to think that assigning another member to work with you would change that."

With a snort, I responded, "The other member would report on me, more likely."

Ziola winced and for a heartbeat I wondered if she'd been updating Lorget on the assignment all along. No, I didn't believe she would do that.

"Anyway, I think we should give it to him."

I stiffened. "Why?"

"He said the guild would never use the Eye to harm the ocean and its inhabitants."

"You told him about my vision?" I liked this less and less.

"Sure, why not?" She crossed her arms and tilted her head.

Jumping up, I began pacing around the small space. "I shared it with you. I didn't expect you to blab to Lorget and the gods know who else."

Ziola's mouth drew into a thin line. "I didn't know it was a secret."

I threw my hands in the air. "What about this mission hasn't been confidential?"

"That doesn't include keeping secrets from the guild!"

"No? If you recall, someone is passing information to the Enforcers. Or did you think that didn't matter?"

Her cheeks colored, and she shot back, "Yes, I thought about it. But I don't think that someone is Lorget."

"Why? Because you've known him all of six months when he introduced you into the guild?"

"I thought you liked him."

"I get along with him and everyone else there just fine. That doesn't mean I trust them."

"If you don't trust them, why have you stayed so long?"

"Because it's been beneficial. The minute that is no longer true, I'm out."

The cot gave a small creak of protest as she sat down hard on it. "Giving them the Eye will be more than beneficial. Lorget said you'd get your master status."

I blinked at her. Did she really think that's what motivated me? I had thought she understood me better than that. "And you'll get your director's seat?" I snapped.

"No," she cried. Then in a small voice, "not right away."

I made a noise of disgust. "Is that all you care about? Making your precious name in the guild?"

"That's not fair. You've lived here all your life and are well established. I need to earn a position in the guild, or I've got nothing."

I sat on the chair opposite her and took her hands. Swallowing, I briefly closed my eyes and couldn't believe I was going to say this. I'd never made a declaration like this, and it scared the piss out of me.

Sucking in a deep breath, I said, "You don't have nothing. I'll take care of you."

She snatched back her hands and lifted her chin. "Until you get tired of me but can't find the courage to dump me? Like Shirley?"

I slid the chair away from her and narrowed my eyes. It had taken everything within me to make that kind of commitment, and I couldn't believe she had thrown Shirley in my face. "I never promised Shirley anything. She made assumptions."

"No promises to the guild either? The only reason you even knew about the Eye of Oris's existence was because of them. Is loyalty beyond you?"

"You think we should turn it over and consequences be damned?"

"We don't know the consequences. Your vision wasn't even tied to the guild. Why would the Guild of Thieves and Spies be interested in mining? That makes no sense at all."

She wasn't entirely wrong. There was nothing tying my vision to the guild except my gut feeling. But my intuition had saved me many times, and I had learned to follow it. I knew deep in my bones that I had to keep the Eye out of their hands.

"I just know it's wrong," I insisted stubbornly.

"Must be nice knowing everything," she said with a curled lip.

"I never said I know everything," I retorted. Heat rose up my neck and I bared my teeth. "But I knew from the first time I laid eyes on you that you only cared about your own ambition. No one understands the desire to be independent more than me. But I'm not willing to screw over everyone else to get what I want. Especially not an entire marine population."

All the color drained from her face, and I wanted to take back my words. Anger had caused me to lash out to hurt her, and her stricken expression seared my heart. But pique kept my apology from taking form.

She rose from the cot, picked up the candle on the table, and gave me a long look before turning toward the alcove entrance. "I'll take my backstabbing, grasping self out of your presence. Do what you want with the Eye. Lorget can deal with you himself."

"No, wait," I protested, but I'd hesitated too long nursing my wounded pride.

She was gone.