“Aren’t you going to put the cat in its place, Rue?” Gage’s voice seethed in her ear.
“You did that? You’re torturing someone because I didn’t do what you asked?”
Gage didn’t answer.
“Fine! I’ll put the stupid cat in the waterfall.” Rue stormed over to the falling water and set the cat in behind it. The knick-knack fell into a grooved place, as if it had always belonged there. Surprised her heart beat a bit faster. Why would the cat fit there?
“Good girl.” He sounded amused with himself.
“You’re twisted and I’m no girl. I will find you and when I do, I have every intention of putting you down.” Rue glared at the waterfall, pretending it was Gage. How could he torture someone over knick-knacks? Why would he? A pop sounded and the water cascading over rock split so a circular piece could come through, straight out of the actual waterfall.
“Grab what’s in the secret rock storage,” Gage said.
Rue rolled her eyes and stood on her tiptoes to reach into the storage rock. She felt a piece of paper and pulled it out, careful not to get it wet. As she brought it down, it glittered in rainbow colors. She was mesmerized by the sparkling piece, like a prism with too many colors to name. It was beautiful. She sat on a nearby rock and held the thin piece in her lap. “What do I do with it?”
“Gently blow on it and its secret will be revealed.”
“And if I don’t, I suppose someone, the person you are torturing, will suffer because of me?”
“Correct, Rue.”
“Is he going to survive until I get to him, can you promise me if I complete all of these tasks that you will release him when I find you?”
“He will be released and as long as you do each task in the allotted time, then no more harm should come to him. It’s all on you, Rue.”
“Stop calling me by my first name. You can call me Miss Devore. I don’t want to be on personal terms with you.” Rue blew on the page.
Gage laughed on the other end. “It’s a little late for that, Miss Devore.”
Ignoring his comment, Rue watched the page shift in her hands. The sparkles flew off into the night like fireflies and the square sheet it left behind glowed in the dark. Words emerged on the page. She read it aloud, “Seek the Elder at East Tavern, bring the dragon. All will be lost within twelve hours of this enchantment being opened.”
“Do you know where the East Tavern is?” Gage asked.
“Of course I do. I may live outside the town, but I’ve done plenty of investigating inside it. Give me a little credit.” Did it mean a real dragon? Where would she find one within twelve hours? “Why can’t you just tell me what you want me to do instead of making me do all this random crap?”
“Because I’m not the one who made the rules.”
If he didn’t then who had? “Then how do you know what I need to do and why are you the one telling me what needs done?” A logical question.
“All of these tasks were made long ago. I just need the end result and since I can’t do them, I need someone to do it for me,” Gage said.
“And why can’t you do them yourself? Chicken?” Rue smirked.
“No. I can’t touch the enchantments. They won’t work for me.”
“Why not?” Probably because you’re evil.
“A female of your bloodline must be the one,” his voice came out serious and low.
Rue folded the paper and put it in her pocket. She couldn’t find a real dragon on such short notice, but she knew where there was a dragon and since the note wasn’t specific to which she had to have, she’d try the dragon she’d kept. What’s the worst that could happen? Someone would be tortured. Rue let out a slow breath and hoped to all that was earthy that her dragon would suffice to trade the Elder.
While she made the trek back to her home, she figured she’d make use of the time. Gage was clearly not going anywhere and could hear everything, and he’d known her dad. So he said. “Who was my father?” she asked.
“A treasure hunter. We both were.”
“Were?”
“He’s since passed. But that’s how I knew about you, he told me.”
“What was his name?” Rue kicked a rock.
“Thane Devore.”
The name sounded strong and old to Rue. What kind of man could he have been in order to leave his family? To never meet his daughter? As an elfling, Rue used to ask her mother about him. The only answer she ever gave was he couldn’t stay in one place, he was too important of a person. But Thane didn’t sound important, and no one ever seemed to know anything about her father. “How do I know you’re not lying?”
“Truthfully? You don’t. I’m not sure there’s anything I could tell you that you could believe or prove. You didn’t know him. But Rue, he knew you. Your father watched you for a long time. He was a good elf even though he had to stay away from you. He always sought information about you.”
“If he was so good, why have I never met him, and if you had been with him, how come you’re, oh what should I say...evil?”
There was a long pause and then Gage finally spoke. “I can’t answer that.”
Of course he couldn’t. For all Rue knew he lied out his ass but she couldn’t prove it one-way or the other. Part of her wanted to stop asking questions. To leave things as they were. Gage was not a nice person. Rue was sure he’d say anything to get her to go where he wanted, and not knowing where troubled her. But then, deep inside, down at the bottom longing of her soul, she wanted to believe that she’d finally come across someone, evil or not, who had known her father. Hope would win, it always won, and Rue’s curiosity encouraged it.
Chapter Three
Rue didn’t bother lighting the lanterns as she made her way through her home. She knew everything by heart and if Gage was somehow here with her or anyone who wanted to harm her, well fists came in handy at her job, so they’d be in for a surprise. Besides, knowing where everything is by heart means that she would be more likely to take her attacker by surprise with the lights out, if he had sent anyone after her. She grabbed the dragon and made for the door.
“What are you wearing?” Gage’s voice came out low, demanding, and far too appealing for a bad guy.
Rue skipped a step and ran into her table. A pain shot up her thigh as the corner slammed into her leg. She bit her lip. That would leave an elfing bruise. She took a deep breath and said, “None of your business. You’re a menace. Don’t try to get deeper involved with me.” She shook off the pain and limped a little as she continued past her kitchen and finally out the door into the starlit night.
“Spoiled sport.”
“Hey! I’m not the one forcing a stranger to do his bidding by torturing some poor guy.”
“And you just keep reminding yourself of that torture...you don’t want to hear any more of his pain,” his voice came out icy. She could feel the chill even though he wasn’t there.
“I won’t soon forget.” How could he sound so good one second and flip it like a switch? It didn’t matter, it shouldn’t matter. She needed to concentrate more on the task in front of her. Gage wasn’t going anywhere, and by the end of it, she’d see his dues paid for what he’d done. If she could keep him from hurting another, then that’s what she intended to do. How could her father have worked with him? Too many questions plagued Rue.
“Good girl.”
Rue ignored him. She had to. He was baiting her on purpose and they both knew it. She squeezed the dragon tighter in her hand as she marched through the tall grass. The city lay just beyond the meadow and the East Tavern at the far end of the city. So a couple hours max was all she’d be in for. If she were lucky, she might make it home in time to sleep a full seven hours. She looked forward to a good night’s sleep. “Do you snore?” she asked.
“Would it matter?”
“I suppose not, but at least I could try to be prepared. It’s the least you could do for me. It’s not like I’m getting anything out of all this.”
; “I don’t snore. Do you?”
“I have no idea, honestly. No one’s told me. I guess not.” Mostly she didn’t let guys sleep over, and the only other person she ever stayed in the same place with who might have told her was her mother, and she had never said anything.
“You aren’t thinking about taking a little nap before you see the Elder are you?”
Anger strummed at her nerves. Suddenly she hoped she did snore. “Not with torture on the line. Though I do have every intention of a good night’s rest as soon as the exchange is made.” As though he had any right to question what she would do. It shouldn’t matter as long as she met the deadline.
“What if you get more time sensitive information?”
“Seriously? What the hell do you expect me to do, go all day and night without sleeping or eating? You know, the basic needs of every soul in order to actually keep going?”
Silence.
“It’s not gonna happen. Torture or not. I’m no good to anyone half starved and sleep deprived.”
More silence.
“And if you try to keep me awake I will find a way to blare you out. Music would do it. Then at least your voice would blend with the other voices.”
“Do whatever you must. But remember rules are rules rest or not.”
“You’re an ass.”
“But I’m the ass in charge.”
“When I finally find you”—Rue ground her teeth— “I have every intention of punching you in the face before I see you off to the authorities.”
“I look forward to it.” Gage laughed. A deep bellowing sound.
She hated him. Her soul seethed inside, twisting her gut, contorting her emotions until she was barely able to control her words. It wouldn’t matter what she said to this snail slime. He had something over Rue, and no amount of words, anger, or good retorts would change that. But she would hit him, hard, right in his arrogant mouth. She scowled into the darkness as she moved forward. The city lights just beyond.
***
Rue flung open the door to the East Tavern. It hit the wall and came back toward her. She stepped forward, out of the way, as it slammed shut. Some elves turned to look at her, eyes glazed over with drink. They didn’t care about her any more than she cared about them. They knew who she was. Everyone knew who Rue was. She scanned the bar area. Outside of a few couples and the town drunks, Rue didn’t see an Elder. She walked further in, taking her time, letting her gaze wander over those seated at the few tables in the tavern. All familiar. None the Elder. Craptastic.
She reached an empty wooden stool at the bar and settled on it. Figuring the Elder would be someone she didn’t know, all she needed to do was sit here and wait for that someone to appear. Not too difficult. The tavern was a bit run down, nowhere near fancy and it worked for locals. Though elves didn’t drop by and stay if they passed through, generally it didn’t take them long to get going again.
“Can I buys yous a drink?” A young, very drunk, elf asked. He must have just barely grown into his ears. Way too young for Rue. His boyish features attempting to look seductive with half-lidded red eyes and a crooked grin.
“Thanks. I’m not drinking tonight though. Maybe another time.”
“I knows yous. You’re that... that weird private investigator lady. You want to privatlies instigates me?” He gave her a sloppy grin.
Didn’t they know how to come up with something a bit more unique? “Not interested.” She turned toward the other side, hoping the young man would take the hint.
“A little crush have we?” Gage said in her ear.
“Shut up,” Rue said.
The drunken elf grabbed Rue’s shoulder and pulled her back toward him. “What yous say to me?”
Irritation scratched along her skin. Males. “I wasn’t speaking to you. Please let me go before you end up flat on your elfing little face.” Rue regretted the words as they spilled out. They would cause a fight for sure, but perhaps that’s what she needed. Something to take the edge off the stress.
“You did not just start a fight with some idiot,” Gage chastised.
Rue didn’t have time to comment as the drunken elf pushed her over and she fell into the bar. Folks spread out away from the fight, but continued to watch their antics. Rue turned around swinging, her right fist just high enough to clock his jaw. It connected swiftly, and with a crunch, the drunk fell to the floor. “I told you.” A pain shot up her hand and she shook it off saddling back up on the barstool. She hoped the guy wasn’t dumb enough to come at her again.
Murmurs settled in the background. Elves talking behind her back inevitably happened every time she came to the bar. She couldn’t have a peaceful drink anywhere without a fight breaking out. Some tough elf thinking he could put her in her place. Rue wouldn’t have it. She learned self-defense for a damn good reason, and in her profession, it had come in handy more times than some guy coming to her rescue. She didn’t need a male, a mate, no one.
“I’ll take it you won,” Gage said. Amusement snaked into his voice.
“Course I did. Poor sap. Just a taste of what’s coming for you, Gage.” She let her mouth curl up into a smile, satisfied with her comment and hoping he took it to heart. There was a tap on her shoulder. Rue groaned. “Seriously dude. Stay down. Go play with—” A tall man with white hair wearing a black robe towered over her. He definitely wasn’t from around here.
“I don’t suppose you have a dragon?” He smiled and half his front teeth were missing.
“Are you the Elder?” Rue almost whispered the words.
“The one and only. The dragon?” His eyes seemed eager and his body tensed, waiting.
Why did he want the knick-knack so bad? Rue pulled out the dragon. It had been in her home for as long as she could remember. Just like that cat, a small piece of her family. And here she was leaving the pieces in waterfalls and handing them to strange old guys. And for what? So some unknown person won’t be harmed. It would be easy to tell him, “no.” To run off. Even having Gage in her ear, even hearing the man’s screams. She could find a way to get the earpiece out, couldn’t she? It’s not like she had any real magic of her own and those who did have magic Rue had no intention of owing favors to. So give away her family possessions it was. “Whoever this guy is he better be grateful,” Rue said between clenched teeth.
“I’m certain he will be, Rue,” Gage replied.
“Stop calling me by my first name.” She looked down at the dragon and gave a half-hearted smile to the Elder hoping he hadn’t really paid attention to her talking to herself, or at least that’s what he would think.
“All right, Doll. As you wish.” He chuckled.
Fuming, she said, “Not that either.”
Gage was silent on the other end.
“Lady, how about my dragon?” the Elder asked.
“Oh, right. Now you’ll have something for me in return correct?”
“You mean the next part of your quest? Yes I have it.” His hand outstretched shaking, waiting for her to drop the dragon in it.
“What are you going to do with it?” Rue eyed the man. He was so anxious to have it she second guessed whether or not she should part with it.
“Does it matter? Want the next piece? Give. Me. The. Dragon.” His voice came out strained. As if he was losing control.
“Give it to him. Or do you need to hear more screams?” Gage piped in.
Reluctantly Rue handed over the dragon. It slowly came to life, the hard encasing melting away like thick runny chocolate the moment it touched his hand. The dragon’s wings expanded and shook themselves out. Rue jumped back. What magic was this? Had her father trapped a real live dragon in that knick-knack? Rue was immediately glad she never once dropped the thing. It was beautiful. Sleek black skin, shuffling wings expanding and closing several times, stretching its limbs.
“I have you again, all to myself.” The Elder looked at Rue. “And now for the exchange.” He snapped his finger and a letter appeared out of thin air and d
rifted, feather-like, into her hands. “It’s from your father.” The Elder chuckled.
“You knew my father too? What was he like?” Here was another living soul besides the evil elf in her ear who had known her father. She needed to know if he had the same thoughts about her dad. Okay maybe not needed, but a strong urge at the very least.
“Depends on who you ask. Personally, I found him arrogant. Plus he took my dragon. He made me keep that note, kidnapping my most precious being and forcing me to do his bidding. What do you think he was like?” The Elder scowled at Rue.
“I...I didn’t know him.”
“Probably for the best.” The Elder turned and began a slow lazy walk toward the door and with each step he took further away, his form became hazy until there was no one there anymore.
“Don’t listen to him about your father. The Elder is lost.”
“Wouldn’t you be if someone took something that precious from you?”
Gage was silent. Of course he was. Anytime it came down to something serious, he shut up. “Coward,” she said under her breath.
“You wish.”
“I know, or you’d be out here doing this instead of hiding in my ear, nothing but a whisper.”
Chapter Four
Rue had procured a room above the tavern for the night, as she just wasn’t up to walking all the way home when it was well after the witching hour. Exhaustion took over. Her legs felt heavy; hell, her whole body felt heavy. So much had happened in just a few hours and it wasn’t about to end any time soon. Rue wished she would have known the dragon had been real sooner. She’d have taken better care of it, or maybe found a way to break whatever little spell had been cast upon it. The poor thing, locked up for all those years and the Elder, lost without it. A sad story. Had he been cursed to be confined until someone found the note that led her to him? What a horrible fate. Rue hoped they could be happy now.
“What does the next letter say?” Gage sounded tired too but she refused to feel sorry for him.
A Whisper of Rue (The Trouble With Elves Book 5) Page 2