Cross Keys

by Ally Shields

  And one still working for the King’s Guards. That was one of the most interesting things he’d learned tonight. Not quite as interesting as the feel of her body under his. He’d had a purely male response. Perhaps it was a good thing the stranger had interrupted at that point. Otherwise he might have done something he would regret.

  His body tightened as he thought about that moment. How would her lips have felt against his? He sighed and downed the rest of his beer. A cold shower might be a good idea. Getting involved with such a woman would be a big mistake. She was a Ryndel in service to the king. And she was armed. He’d felt the wrist sheath and witnessed her marksmanship with the crossbow. He couldn’t have done better himself. It wouldn’t be wise to provoke her. But the thought of doing just that brought an immediate grin.

  He paid the bill and left. If the police were gone, he wanted a look inside the warehouse. Let the woman concentrate on the mystery of the wanderers. Right now his immediate concern was the smuggling and if it affected him or his guild. Were the two events related? It seemed improbable, but even less likely to be a mere coincidence. If there was a link, no doubt his path would intersect with Kameo Ryndel again. The possibility broadened his grin.

  The scene of the earlier raid was quiet. The stacks of cargo loomed like rows of multicolored buildings against the night skyline. As he drew closer, he verified that the authorities were gone, even the disabled police cars had been towed away. What would the lab list as the cause of the tire punctures? They wouldn’t find anything to explain the damage. Kam’s invisible arrows would have dissolved upon impact. He supposed they’d conclude someone had been careless with the evidence.

  He scanned the loading dock, where the merchandise had been exchanged, but there wasn’t anything left to see, not a scrap to tell him the nature of the contraband. Whatever they’d been loading, all of it had left with them in the two vehicles. He peered in one of the warehouse’s back windows, but it was too dark to see.

  What had brought Kam here earlier tonight? Seth raised his head and scanned the surrounding area, focusing on the Ryndel Guild next door. Of course, that had to be it. Someone from the guild had heard a noise or seen lights. He stepped back, pressing against the building. If guild members were still watching the warehouse, they would notice anyone that wasn’t cautious. He edged toward the far side of the building.

  A shadowy figure of a man came around the corner, and Seth dropped down, crouching behind the loading dock. He listened as the footsteps drew closer. Stealthy, tentative. If the man walked past the dock, Seth would be discovered. He tensed his muscles for action.

  The steps paused, then the man climbed onto the dock and rattled the back door. Seth heard a clicking sound, and the door opened. Lock picks. A pro who had come prepared. When the door closed, Seth lifted his head. He was unarmed; instead of following some unknown burglar into the building, he backed off. Choosing a shadowed spot next to a stack of cargo containers that offered a good view of the entire area, he waited to see what happened next.

  Two minutes later, he wasn’t totally surprised to recognize another figure near the rear of the building, but he choked back a laugh when she headed straight toward his hiding spot. He was about to have a second encounter in one night with the Ryndel woman. He stepped farther into the shadows until she drew close, then he reached out pulling her roughly against him with one hand clasped over her mouth. She clamped her teeth on his finger and kicked his legs, until he hissed, “Stop it or you’ll give us both away.”

  She went rigid in his arms.

  “Quiet now?”

  She nodded.

  He took his hand away, shaking it. “You bit me,” he said softly.

  She jerked out of his restraining arm and hissed, “I was just getting started!”

  “Careful.” He pulled her back again. “Stay out of the light.” Not to mentioned he liked her right where she’d been.

  “That doesn’t mean I have to be plastered against your body.” She wiggled away. “I thought you went home.”

  “Likewise. It seems we were both wrong. But I was here first.”

  “Who’s inside the warehouse?”

  “I think it’s our friend with the gun.” Seth grinned in the dark, surprised to realize he was thoroughly enjoying the situation.

  “Hardly a friend.” Kam gave a most unladylike snort. “What’s he doing? And who is he anyway? Is he one of the men in the courtyard?”

  Seth shrugged, even though he knew she didn’t really expect an answer. “I didn’t recognize him, but let’s ask. Give me your knife.”

  She turned to peer at him. “Why would I do that?”

  “Are you always so oppositional?”

  “I’m not giving you my knife.”

  “All right. Then give me your scarf, and be quick before he comes out.”

  She unknotted the scarf at her throat and handed it to him. “Just what do you have in mind?”

  He wound it around his hand. “Stay here.” He started toward the back of the warehouse at a crouching run. She paid no attention to his orders and followed right behind him. When they reached the building, he flattened against the wall on one side of the door. After a moment of hesitation, Kam took the other side. Then they waited. Ten minutes later, the door suddenly opened and a figure stepped out.

  Seth grabbed him by one arm, spun him around and struck him on the chin with his right fist. Before the man could recover, Seth flipped him, straddled him on the ground, and wound the scarf around his neck, pulling it snug. “Move, and it’ll be the last thing you do,” he warned.

  “Dammit man, get off me.” His captive struggled to talk despite the restraint. “You’re assaulting a federal agent.” He sounded more irritated than frightened, but he didn’t try to move.

  “Prove it.”

  “You think I carry an ID? I can give you a number to call.”

  Kam leaned close to stare at his face in the dim light. “Federal but no ID? Does that mean covert, as in CIA?”

  “Something like that.” His eyes flicked between them.

  “What makes you think we wouldn’t kill a federal officer?” Seth asked conversationally, still holding the scarf in a firm grip.

  “Because I made some inquiries in the last hour. You checked out, at least with local authorities. Her, I’m not so sure about.”

  Seth chuckled softly but patted him down with one hand. “I’m not sure about her either, but for the sake of argument, let’s assume we’re all on the same side.” He tugged a pistol from a belt holster under the man’s shirt and handed it to Kam. “Now we’ll talk, but no more guns, OK?”

  When the man nodded, Seth let him up. He took the pistol from Kam and secured it in his own pocket. “What’s causing all the police and federal interest? What kind of an illegal operation is this, Mr.…ah, what did you say your name was?”

  “I didn’t say, but it’s Crain. Noah Crain.” He rubbed his neck. “You’re very handy with that scarf. Special forces?”

  “Similar training. The illegal goods?” Seth reminded him.

  Crain hesitated. “What’s your interest?”

  Seth smiled. “I’m now the one with the gun. My questions first.”

  Crain eyed him, then shrugged. “Weapons.”

  “You mean guns?” Seth narrowed his eyes. Could he believe anything this guy said? “What are they getting in return? Money?” How would elves obtain enough firearms to sell? They had to be fronting for a human employer.

  “You tell me.” Crain’s voice had gone blank. “The only cargo we’ve seen was the Russian-made handguns.”

  “Are these terrorists?” Kam’s voice held disbelief, even suspicion. She obviously wasn’t any more sure of Crain—if that was his name—than Seth was.

  The man looked around uneasily. “I don’t know what your game is. Why all the questions?” He sighed when Seth crossed his arms. “The two shipments of arms have been small. It’s the other cargo were interested in.”

  “Wha
t is it?”

  His hesitation was barely noticeable. “We don’t know. That’s the problem.”

  Crain was holding back something. “There’ve been three shipments,” Seth corrected.

  “What?” Crain’s head whipped to look at him.

  “Always on Saturday, two weeks apart.”

  Kam nudged Seth. “You might have mentioned this before.”

  “Why would I? Because you’ve been so forthcoming?” Seth tamped down his flash of annoyance and turned to Crain. “Did you find anything inside the building?”

  “No, just empty crates and containers.”

  “They’ve been there several days,” Kam said dismissively. “Obvious decoys.”

  “You’ve been inside?” Seth shot her a dark look. “Talk about not mentioning things.”

  “Just a quick look.”

  “What is it with you two?” Crain shifted his feet, clearly annoyed by their bickering. “For partners you don’t seem to have shared a lot.”

  “We’re not,” Kam snapped. “Partners, I mean, or even working together. He’s just a civilian.” She stopped, clearly realizing she’d said too much.

  “And you’re not. Then who do you work for?” Crain demanded. “Local cops?”

  “No, I…”

  Rather amused by her predicament, Seth still felt he owed her a rescue. “She’s private, just like I am. We provide security for a couple of the warehouses in the wharf area. Any illegal activity down here is a problem for us.”

  “That would explain why I’ve seen you so often,” Crain said to Kam. “If you really want to stop the arms deals, maybe you’ll tip me off if you see these guys again. They won’t be back to this building, but I doubt if they’ll close down the operation. They’ll relocate.” He dug in his pocket until he came up with a card, which he handed to Seth. “Ignore the other information, but the number is good. Call me if you learn anything new.” He looked at Kam, a frown on his face. “I’m still not sure you didn’t help them get away. If you’ve gotten involved in something over your head, my agency might be able to help. In return for your cooperation.”

  “Just who is this helpful agency?”

  There was a smile in the fed’s voice. “Strictly need to know.”

  “Uh-huh. Well, thanks for the offer,” she said, her voice cool, “but I’m not a smuggler or an arms dealer. I have nothing to share with the CIA or whoever you really work for.”

  “Suit yourself. If you change your mind, I’ll be around.” He held out a hand. “My gun?”

  Seth patted his pocket. “I don’t think so. I’d hate to have you change your mind about us.”

  Crain frowned, as if he might make an issue of it. “I’ll be watching you.” He turned and slipped away into the dark shadows of the wharf.

  Seth looked at the scarf still in his hands and turned back to Kam. “I’m out of here too. I should return—”

  But the dock area was empty. He was left holding another item of her wardrobe. At this rate, he’d soon owe her an entire shopping trip. Dammit, where had Kam gone? And when had he started thinking of her as Kam?

  CHAPTER SIX

  Over the following week, Kam grew increasingly restless. Without any activity at the empty warehouse, and no contact from Seth or the mysterious operative Noah Crain, she had grown bored. Since it was presumed the wanderers were dead, the king agreed to reopen the Acquisitions Office with shortened hours of 10:00 to 3:00. She kept busy during those hours, but once she’d checked the Guild and warehouse each evening, the rest of the time dragged. By Friday, she’d decided to go home for the weekend. She missed her family.

  A less happy thought but probably more important was the need to have a serious talk with Caleb about their future. The idea of marriage still made her uncomfortable, and she wanted to figure out why.

  At 3:05 on Friday afternoon, she was in Brierwood. In order to put the frustrations and failures tied to city business behind her, she’d by-passed the Ryndel Guild portal and arrived in the village town hall.

  Kam took a deep breath and smiled at the familiar scene. She nodded at faces that had been part of her world since her mother first brought her to town market days as a toddler.

  Most of the outdoor stalls were closed for the winter, but an indoor annex to the town hall bulged with winter produce and holiday items. She stopped to purchase a spool of pink ribbon to provide the perfect contrast for Esty’s white gown for the King’s Winter Ball, a well-attended event held in those dreary weeks after the holidays were over.

  “Kam, come join us!” Her cousin Leila’s eager voice drew her attention toward a stand dispensing fresh apple cider or mead, depending on your taste. “Look what I found for my sister’s new baby.”

  Kam’s eyes flitted past Leila, holding up a blue blanket, to Caleb standing next to her with two mugs of cider and looking momentarily disconcerted.

  Then he smiled. “By all means, Kam. Please admire her purchases, so I can be relieved of all such expectations.” Caleb extended one of the mugs. “Here. You ladies chat while I purchase another for myself.”

  “Thank you.” Kam accepted the drink, giving him only the slightest raised eyebrow. She turned her attention to Leila. “It’s a lovely blanket. So she had a boy.”

  “Yes, he’s the sweetest thing. I can hardly wait to have my own.” Leila chatted on.

  Kam watched her face. Was Leila dreaming of Caleb as the potential father? Surprisingly, the idea didn’t make her feel as possessive as it had a few weeks ago. Perhaps she was getting used to the idea that she and Caleb were both moving on. It was a sobering thought, but not particularly disturbing. It was past time they talked.

  “When did you get home?” Caleb rejoined them and took a swallow of his own drink. She noticed he’d chosen mead this time. In need of a little courage?

  “Just now. I haven’t even seen Mother yet, but I’m staying for the weekend.”

  “That’s great,” Leila enthused. “We’re all going to The Bookstore tomorrow afternoon, and there is a party tomorrow night.” She lowered her voice. “It’s at Mariel Lormarc’s, and Estelle is planning on going.”

  “Without telling our parents?”

  “Oh, don’t tell them, Kam.” Leila’s face twisted into worry lines. “I shouldn’t have said anything. She’ll be so mad at me if she’s forbidden to go.”

  “I’m not going to tell them, but I think Esty should. I’ll talk to her.”

  “Oh, dear, she’s still going to be upset I told you.”

  Caleb looked amused. “I doubt that. Not if she gets what she wants. Associating with the Lormarcs is not the crime of the century, and all the houses were invited.” He turned to Kam. “If Estelle insists on going, I’ll take you both. Your parents aren’t likely to object too much if you have a suitable escort.”

  Suitable escort. Kam was tempted to roll her eyes like Esty might do. She appreciated his offer, but sometimes he could be so stuffy. Still, it was an intriguing idea. Attending a forbidden party might be just the thing to spice up her get-away-from-it-all weekend.

  “Well, I should get home.” Kam set her empty mug on the counter. “Mother will be devastated if someone reports I’m here before I check in with her.”

  “I’ll walk you home.” Caleb smiled at Leila. “Nice running into you. Good luck with your shopping.”

  “I hope to see you both tomorrow.” Leila waved at them and joined a group of young women surrounding the stand where Kam had bought her ribbon.

  “I saw Estelle yesterday, but she didn’t mention you were coming home.” Caleb held the door for Kam as she stepped outside into the brisk wind.

  “She couldn’t have. I didn’t make up my mind until this morning.”

  “I’m glad you came. We haven’t had much time together since you went Cityside.”

  Did he sound just a bit critical? She glanced at his profile. It didn’t tell her anything about what he was thinking. “Maybe we can make up for it this weekend, and find a chance to ta
lk.”

  “I’d like that.”

  Conversation was sparse after that as they battled the wind and hurried up the steps of her parent’s home to get out of the cold. Elvenrude’s winters weren’t harsh, but the air smelled like snow, and the skies had turned a familiar pale gray.

  Kam’s mother met them at the door and fussed until they were settled in front of a cozy fire with cups of cinnamon tea. She chatted with them for several minutes, then excused herself to check on dinner.

  Caleb and Kam finished their drinks, conversing quietly on the couch, her head on his shoulder. The warmth of the fire made her relaxed and sleepy. She was close to dozing when Caleb’s words brought her awake.

  “We’ve grown apart in the last few months.” He picked up her hand and twined his fingers with hers. “Then you return, and everything starts to fall back into place.”

  She didn’t move or look at him. “I’ve felt the distance too. I wasn’t sure what to do about it.”

  “That’s easy. You could come home and marry me.”

  She tried to make light of it and put a laugh in her voice. “Is this a back-handed proposal of marriage?”

  “It is, if you want it to be.”

  Kam closed her eyes. He’d offered what most women wanted to hear, but somehow she wished he would take it all back. The way the conversation started she’d thought he was going to break it off—and she’d been mentally preparing for that. Not this. Not commitment.

  Her chest tightened. Would she have preferred to end it? Caleb’s arm was draped over her shoulder, and she moved closer to him. He felt so warm, so solid, and she cared for him in many ways. He was a loving and considerate sexual partner, and he’d make a fantastic father to their children. Yet something wasn’t there, that extra spark of excitement she felt just being around someone like…Seth Lormarc.

  She swallowed hard. How dare he pop into her mind at a time like this? Seth had no place in her life.

  “Is it too sudden? I know we haven’t talked a lot about actually taking that last step.”

  “Oh, I…” She started to reassure him but hesitated. That wouldn’t be fair. She wasn’t sure this was right for either of them. “I didn’t expect it, Caleb. I mean, not today. Maybe we should talk about what we both want, about what our future together would be.”