Wraith(26)

‘Whatever happens,’ I said in a low voice, ‘let me handle this.’

De Florinville’s eyes snapped to mine but he didn’t say anything. I hoped he had the good sense and intelligence that he’d shown glimmers of when I was eavesdropping on him. This was not the time for showy Dark Elf antics.

Holding my hands up in the air, I walked slowly towards the alley. As expected, Marrock’s two goons stepped out. They were paler than normal; clearly they hadn’t been expecting the renewed shelling either. I wondered whether they knew that there was a Gneiss contingent in town. It was quite possible that this day would end up being the last for all of us.

‘You’ve already been warned off, Saiya,’ Pat said. To give him credit, his eyes were as steely as ever and his voice betrayed no tremor.

I tilted up my chin. ‘I think Marrock will change his mind,’ I said, ‘when he sees who I’ve brought with me.’ I gestured at Gabriel de Florinville.

Pat’s fellow goon, whose name I’d never bothered to learn, gaped. ‘That’s a Dark Elf!’ Her expression was so astonished that it was almost comical. When De Florinville strode forward before I could stop him, however, the astonishment was all mine.

He might have been holding Ange in his arms but he still managed to sweep out a half bow. ‘I am Gabriel de Florinville,’ he intoned. ‘And I am here to seek an audience with Marrock.’

Well, well, well. The Dark Elf was not only a good listener but he was as canny as I thought. That was both good and bad for me. In response, Marrock’s minion started to curtsey until halfway down she realised what she was doing and awkwardly straightened up again.

Pat the goon glared at her then he ran his hand through his hair and almost simpered. ‘It’s a pleasure to meet you.’

‘The pleasure is all mine,’ de Florinville said smoothly. ‘I’ve heard a lot about the security here and I’m pleased to see that it meets all expectations. You two are really on the ball. I’d shake your hand but, as you can see, I’m somewhat occupied right now. If you could lead us to Marrock, I would be eternally grateful.’

‘Of course, sir! Yes! Right this way!’

I shook my head in amazement, thinking of all the times I’d had to fight tooth and nail to speak to Marrock. So much for handling this myself. I’d expected de Florinville’s presence to help us get inside but it hadn’t occurred to me that Marrock’s goons would become so greasily obsequious. But they hadn’t lost their edge entirely; when I started forward, a regretful expression crossed Pat’s face.

‘She has to stay behind. Marrock told us not to let her in again.’

If I’d been here alone, he’d have laughed in my face while turning me away. Instead he looked apologetic.

‘Oh.’ De Florinville considered this for a moment. ‘Well, where Saiya goes, I go. If she cannot enter then we’ll have to go elsewhere.’ He flashed me a dazzling smile. ‘It’s no problem, darling. You said there were plenty of others we could see instead.’ He turned away. I shrugged and did the same. This had better work – Ange needed help sooner rather than later.

‘Fuck’s sake.’ Marrock’s voice bellowed out from the upper window. ‘Let them all in.’

Marrock’s goons were obviously relieved. ‘This way!’ Pat burbled. ‘I’ll show you where to go!’

I rolled my eyes and sidled up to de Florinville. ‘I thought I told you that I would handle this,’ I muttered.

He quirked an eyebrow. ‘Do you have a problem with what I’ve achieved so far?’

‘No.’ I just wanted to remind him that I was in charge here, not him.

‘You’re in charge here, Saiya,’ he said softly. ‘Not me. I’ll follow your lead.’

I stared at him. Bloody hell. Either he was a mind reader, or he was far more sensitive than anyone had given him credit for – or my thoughts were displayed on my face. I wasn’t sure I wanted to know.

I huffed quietly and pushed it out of my mind. Ange wasn’t safe yet. Not by a long shot.





Chapter Eleven




The smoked-glass doors had barely closed behind us when Marrock appeared. Even with the behaviour of his goons outside, I was still shocked. Marrock enjoyed possessing the perception of power even more than possessing power itself. I thought he would enjoy watching a Dark Elf walk down one of his bowling lanes to be granted an audience, especially when that Dark Elf was Gabriel de Florinville. Instead, Marrock was just as star struck as everyone else. His face was wreathed in smiles and he held his arms out expansively, grabbing hold of me as we drew close.

‘Saiya!’ He yanked me towards him, planting a wet kiss on my cheek and squeezing me tight. ‘How wonderful of you to come and see us!’ He angled himself away from de Florinville and muttered into my ear, ‘That better not be Ange Horrocks he's holding.’ Then he stepped back and smiled benevolently at the Dark Elf.

What he received in return was an icy glower. De Florinville’s spine was stiff, as if he were filled with both rage and tension. Given his mild manner outside, I was surprised but I could only assume that it was part of his plan. It certainly wasn't part of mine, though.

‘Marrock,’ I said, speaking loudly and formally. ‘I would like to present to you Gabriel de Florinville and Angela Horrocks.’

Marrock’s answering smile stiffened. ‘Lord de Florinville. I am delighted to make your acquaintance.’ That part was genuine at least. He glanced down at Ange. ‘Your companion looks unwell. Why don’t I have her taken to the nearest doctor? I can arrange for transport. She looks like she needs medical attention.’

I almost snorted. There were no doctors left in Stirling, none who were alive or prepared to work on humans like us.

De Florinville didn’t take his eyes off Marrock. ‘I am not a Lord and I am perfectly capable of seeing to Ms Horrocks’ needs myself. I just require somewhere to lay her down safely and comfortably so I can work on her.’ He maintained his smile but there was something threatening about it. That was a neat trick; no wonder Prime Minister James had named the Dark Elf as Envoy. What I didn’t yet understand was why he had such an underlying air of menace. He didn’t know Marrock – and the wee man had let us inside, offering us help and sanctuary at great danger to himself. I scratched my head. Puzzling.

‘We have several booths which should suit your purpose.’ Marrock also continued to smile. He clicked his fingers and two nameless minions appeared. ‘Help Mr de Florinville with the woman.’

‘Gabriel is fine. And I can manage on my own.’

Marrock bowed. ‘As you wish. The booths are just over to your right, past the Penny Falls arcade.’

De Florinville didn’t move. He looked at me, his dark eyes unblinking. ‘Come, Saiya.’

I cleared my throat, aware that colour was rising in my cheeks. ‘Give me a couple of minutes. I want to talk to Marrock first.’

De Florinville’s eyes narrowed, sparking with an anger that loomed over us all. What exactly was his problem? I folded my arms and met his gaze. It was less than five minutes since he’d assured me that he’d follow my lead but he seemed to have forgotten that already. I tried to stare him down, willing him to stop being an arse, but I’d never been in a staring competition with a Dark Elf before. It felt as if I were being swallowed up by the glitter of his gaze.

If Ange hadn’t shifted slightly and moaned, I’m not sure what would have happened. Her intervention did the trick and broke the crackling tension. Gabriel de Florinville didn’t pull his eyes from mine but he did relax slightly and nod his head. A moment later, he turned and left for the booths, the two minions trailing in his wake.

I let out the breath I hadn’t realised I was holding. Marrock waited until he was sure de Florinville had gone before turning to me. ‘What the fuck are you playing at, Saiya?’ he growled at me. ‘I told you to stay away.’

I did my best impression of a nonchalant shrug. ‘You also told me to find out more about the Dark Elf. What better way to do that than to bring him here in person?’

Marrock’s expression didn’t change. ‘I don’t like playing games.’

‘I’m not playing.’

Something about my tone persuaded Marrock of my sincerity because he relaxed slightly and the twitching muscle in his eyebrow subsided. ‘You’ve told him about me.’

‘I’ve not told him anything,’ I said.

Marrock regarded me implacably. ‘Well, he knows something. That’s unvarnished hatred that he’s feeling and he’s feeling it for me – for no apparent reason that I can think of.’

I shifted uncomfortably. I could hardly pretend I’d not noticed de Florinville’s strange antagonism. ‘I don’t know what that’s about,’ I muttered.

Marrock watched me for a moment longer. ‘You shouldn’t have brought that woman here,’ he said, abandoning Gabriel de Florinville for the time being.

My gaze dropped. The box with his henchman’s head in it was still seared in my mind. We both knew the risk I was placing on Marrock’s slight shoulders by coming here. ‘We won’t stay for long. If there had been a choice I wouldn’t have come. But she’s important, Marrock. I don’t know how or why, but there are secrets locked inside her skull that the Filits are desperate to know. And I think she’s the reason why the Gneiss are here.’