“That’s fair.” Nemesis nodded, all easy graciousness and acceptance. “Which also means you can’t be upset with them, when they turn the game on you. Winning is all that matters, is it not?”
That something that lived behind Fallon’s eyes flashed, flickered, had Nemesis’s training kicking in to reach for her weapon, but before the action completed, the look was gone, and Fallon’s good-humor kicked back in, a too-pretty smile for a warrior splashing across her face. “You gonna tell me where he is?”
“Not a chance, darlin’. I don’t know, let me be clear on that, but even should I find out, it won’t happen.”
“Didn’t think it would.” Fallon moved around her, tossing over her shoulder, “Next Friday, Laire’s hosting cards at her place. She told me to tell you to come, and I’m telling you I won’t let her turn it into a strip poker match.”
Then Fallon was gone, and blessed air returned to the area. Nemesis brought in a few lungfuls before the guard’s urging had her walking through those double doors on her own.
The room she entered was lit to about four feet in, with the rest embanked in darkness. At the edge of the lit area was a half-circle railing, and it was to here that Nemesis came, putting her hands on the railing as she waited.
She didn’t wait long. Seven squares of light – similar to television screens – appeared in front of her, in each one a shadowed profile, some of which were more human looking than others.
From the middle one the shadow cleared way to reveal a human woman. She appeared to be only in her forties though her hair was a natural, gorgeous silvery-gray, short and spiky and framing a pixie-ish face. She had clear blue eyes and a mouth that always verged on smiling, even when those blue eyes were not. Today was a day those eyes were not.
Though Nemesis didn’t know her name, this was the only member of the Houses she’d ever seen. Good authority had told her Kyo was another member, though she could not verify that, and all other members were unknown to her, though it was her job to follow their edicts.
Yep, the mysterious thing had definite drawbacks.
“Reign’s followers are causing problems,” the woman began without any form of small talk or introductory remarks.
Nemesis leaned against the railing, all ease and innocence. Just because she knew where this was leading didn’t mean she was going to make it easy. “Reign would be the first to tell you he doesn’t have followers, and whatever people might do because he said something is none of his concern.”
The woman gave a small snort, amusement lighting those eyes as well as that mouth now. “No doubt, but this situation is now beyond a Guild matter. The chaos it’s leaving in its wake needs to be contained.”
“Fallon may have been helping in that area.” Not that drawing attention to Fallon’s sins ever stopped anything from happening after the woman instigated it, but it seemed right to remind everyone just the same.
“If there is chaos, there is no doubt Fallon has been involved somewhere along the way.” The now smiling blue eyes said that she knew all too well what Fallon had been up to, but it wouldn’t change what was coming. “We must collect the Spellbook before anyone else gets involved. Others are being sent to do this. You, your instruction is to retrieve the book if the opportunity presents itself.” The way the woman spoke had the tinge of all-knowing.
Well, Nemesis never assumed her talks with Merc weren’t going to be found out by someone somehow. At least they weren’t going to make her use herself as bait for a trap. This was pretty mild overall, and maybe this was where the Seven Houses irritation with the Guild forcing them into this situation was showing itself.
It seemed Fallon wasn’t going to get exactly what she had been playing for.
Nemesis nodded, and the screens blinked out of existence with nothing else said.
Chapter Thirty
‡
“I’m out. The Seven Houses are now keeping an eye on things, which means I’m no longer a neutral party at play.”
“And hello to you too.” Merc said into the phone, his head hitting the back of his chair and biting back a sigh, far past reacting to bad news by now. Instead of worry or rage, resigned acceptance met Nemesis’s words. “How have you been doing?”
“I’m sorry to hand you this. Wish I could’ve worked it somehow different. At least they’re not sending me after you direct.”
In the phrasing of the words, Merc heard what wasn’t explicitly stated. They’re sending someone after you. Nemesis would never betray the Houses, but she worked around where she could. “I still owe you.”