“Yeah, yeah, laugh it up.” She grabbed a small piece of bread from the plate the server had left and quickly chewed. “Well, it was better than the other stuff I tried. I’m beginning to think I just don’t like alcohol.”
Everyone else picked up their own mugs, sipping. Mo’ata himself enjoyed a good foka now and then, and Firik had some of the best. The nuts used to brew it were from trees only found high in the mountains, and when gathered in the cold of winter, they produced that hint of butter. The clans often made their own, but it never had this richness of flavor.
He took another sip and contemplated their next steps. Tomorrow Felix would arrange to take Blue to his contact, and they would go from there. It would be a good opportunity to learn about the recent deaths in the city; he just hoped that Blue, as the daughter of someone from the region, would be able to get the guards and other townspeople to open up. He admitted it was a good idea, using her to help them gather information. People tended to open up to her.
The foka started to do its work, and he relaxed, the tension running out of his shoulders. Their table settled into silence, each of them lost in their own thoughts.
“Can I get some water?” Blue’s voice broke into his musings.
“Of course. I should have thought of it.” Chagrined, he signaled the server. He could not believe he had neglected her care like that. If she would not drink the foka, of course she needed something else. It was a little thing, but the care of a shopa was paramount, and already he was failing.
When the server returned, Blue took the mug from her and thanked her in Common. The woman smiled back at her and nodded. Blue sipped her water, studying the people around her. It was something he’d noticed about her. Unless she got nervous, she didn’t really feel the need to speak.
They took their time, sipping and relaxing, enjoying the respite before having to be back at it again in the morning. Finally, he saw Blue’s eyes droop and knew they needed to get her to bed. Beside her, Forrest wasn’t in much better shape. Mo’ata laughed a bit to himself. The young man was growing on him, becoming like a little brother. It was a good sign; they just may be able to pull off this prida.
“Come on, little shopa, let us get you to bed.” He rose and came around the table. She smiled and nodded, stumbling just a little when she stood and the chair leg caught on the floor. She really was tired. He held her side lightly, more of a precaution than anything. Felix rose and went in search of the innkeeper. He returned shortly with the keys to their rooms. There were only three of them.
“Felix?”
The larger man shrugged. “He only have three rooms.” A frustrated look crossed his face and he switched to Common. “Luckily, two of them have a connecting door. And we only got that because the previous occupants left in a rush earlier today. He didn’t come right out and say it, but I think they were here on business and got wind of the recent deaths. I will see what I can get out of him later, after the rest of you get to bed.”
Mo’ata nodded. “We’ll put Blue in one of the connecting rooms. Forrest and I will take the other. You and Levi can share the third.”
Blue nudged his side. He looked down to see her “tell me what you are talking about” expression, the one she got when she was frustrated at not yet knowing enough Common to keep up with their conversations. “We were only able to get three rooms, but two of them are connecting. You will take one and Forrest and I the other,” he told her, switching to English.
“Like before. Okay.” A large yawn overtook her, and she covered her mouth, shaking just a bit with the force of it.
He guided her up the stairs, following behind Felix. Forrest had her pack and came right behind them, Levi bringing up the rear. Felix stopped outside a door near the end of the upper hall and opened it using one of the keys before handing it to Blue. “This yours.”
Blue nodded, took the key, and entered the room. Forrest entered behind her and placed her pack on the bed, a small, insistent squeak coming from within.
“Oh no.” Blue rushed to the pack and flipped open the compartment she’d made for the little piquet. Garfield poked his head out and let out a loud yowl. “How could I have forgotten to feed them?” Her face held worry and not a little dismay.
Mo’ata moved into the room and scooped up the little pest. He didn’t really think the piquet cub was a pest, but sometimes, like when Blue came to cuddle, he wished Garfield didn’t want to be so involved.
“I will be sure he gets food. You rest.” The cub climbed up his chest, his little claws pricking, and to Mo’ata’s shoulder, perching there and surveying the room. Vivi chose then to let out her own yowl, and Forrest gathered her close, laughing.
“I take.” Felix reached out for her. “You stay with Blue. No alone.” He indicated the connecting door with his head, hands full with the cub, who was now wiggling, trying to get to his shoulder as well. With a huge sigh and small smile, he plopped her on his left shoulder, his armor protecting his skin from her claws.
Mo’ata started to turn away but stopped. He was forgetting something.
He turned back to Blue and leaned down, one hand steadying the cub on his shoulder, the other under her chin, tipping her head up to him. He leaned down and gave her a small, lingering kiss. There, that was better. “Sleep well, shopa. I will see you in the morning.”
The slightly dazed look in her eyes was satisfying. “Knocking,” she mumbled, and he smiled, remembering another morning when she had walked in on him.
“It’s okay if you do not,” he teased, sending her a wink and eliciting a smile.
Forrest gave a little cough from behind her and mumbled something that sounded like “in my dreams.”
Yes, Mo’ata agreed. There had been dreams. After a last caress of her cheek, he left to get the cubs fed, Felix close behind him. They made a brief stop at the last room, across from Blue’s, to let Levi drop off his own things, then the three of them returned to the dining area. As they entered, a hush fell, all eyes on the cubs.
The innkeeper hurried to them, careful to stop a few feet away, his eyes bouncing between Vivi and Garfield. That the man recognized them as a worse threat than the clansman or mercenary showed his good sense. He knew what these were.
“How may I help you?” the innkeeper finally got out after a couple of false starts.
Mo’ata remained silent, letting Felix take the lead. “We require food for the little ones. Milk is fine for now, but if you have some small portions of meat available, we would not turn it down.”
Mo’ata almost smiled at hearing the larger man speak so eloquently. He held his stern expression, though, letting Felix play his little game.
The innkeeper almost bowed. “Of course, sir, of course. Shall I have it brought to your rooms?” His licked his lips, eyes never straying from the cubs, who had started to make their small squeaking cries, the ones that said “feed me.”
“No.” Felix’s voice was sharp, causing the innkeeper to jump. “We will feed them here. Our shopa has had a hard journey, and we do not want to disturb her.”
The poor innkeeper’s eyes widened at his words—whether from the mercenary calling Blue his shopa a clan term, or from the knowledge that the cubs would be in the common room while they ate, Mo’ata wasn’t sure, but it was amusing. The mercenary had a wicked sense of humor sometimes.
“Your…your shopa?”
“Yes. Her father was originally from this area. We are searching for any family she may have left. Otherwise…” he trailed off, his gaze running over the room, a slight disdain on his features. Mo’ata swallowed and pursed his lips, suppressing a laugh. “The food?” Felix continued, one brow raised.
“Of course, of course. Please sit. We will bring it out.” He gestured to the table they had been at earlier, still empty. A server rushed off for the milk after a glare from the innkeeper. “Do you know her family name? Maybe I could be of assistance? I know many of the families in the area.”
Mo’ata studied the man. It
seemed safe enough. “Faust.” At his words the older man stilled and his eyes widened, swinging to Mo’ata. “I see. Well, I wish you luck with the search. Your food will be here shortly.” He hurried away and out of sight, into the back where the kitchens were.
“Anyone else think he just ran away to avoid answering questions?” Felix sat, reaching up to remove Vivi from his shoulder and set her on the table.
“Oh yes. Although I was surprised he asked in the first place, from what you have said about the people of this region.” The Prizzoli reached out to stroke Vivi’s head, and she swatted at his fingers, though her claws remained sheathed.
“He’s known to be a little friendlier than others. If I remember correctly, his mother was originally from the Torman clan. It was a great surprise to all when she chose to leave her clan and come to Filiri with a man she met on a trading trip to the capital.” Mo’ata shifted, impatient. He wanted to question the man.
“I’ll see what I can get out of him tomorrow,” Felix said, and Mo’ata relaxed.
The server returned then with the milk and meat they had ordered, and the cubs fell to it. Yes, tomorrow is going to be a busy day.
Chapter 7
BLUE
Blue was nervous. She hadn’t expected to be, but the idea of finding more, new family had her stomach twisting in a mixture of fear and anticipation.
A trim, dark-haired woman sat across from her, the low table between them spread with papers, cups, and other debris. A screen perched to one side with a flat pad in front of it. Maybe their version of a computer?
When they’d come to the guards’ office that morning, she hadn’t known what to expect. She had envisioned something similar to what the Ministry had, with the reception desk and individual interview rooms. Well, this had the reception, but the offices here were open, like in the cop shows her mom enjoyed. There were tables and desks scattered around and people calling out and rushing back and forth, the general chaos and clutter almost comforting.
Felix’s friend, he’d introduced her as Sora, had met them at the entrance. Blue had been surprised to learn the woman spoke English. She’d thought only clansmen and some Ministry spoke it as part of their jobs. It made Blue wonder just who she was.
After the introductions she’d led them all back to where they now sat. Just as people had on the streets, everyone they passed openly stared, some glaring, others stepping back out of fear when the piquet cubs made themselves known. Sora had been the rare exception, simply smiling as she led them back to what passed for her desk.
“So,” she said now. “Felix tells me that you are looking for your family.” The woman eyed her, not unfriendly, more speculative.
“Yes.” Blue knew she was supposed to tell her story, but for some reason she was reluctant to share with this stranger.
“He also tells me he has entered into a trial period with your prida.”
The skepticism in her voice caused Blue to fidget, and she had to consciously still her fingers. “Yes, well, it’s more like dating. Maybe that’s the same thing. I don’t know. We’re… getting to know each other.” Blue glanced at Felix where he sat beside her, his large frame barely fitting in the chair. “He helped me out a lot a ye—couple months ago. He’s a good man,” she said, turning back to Sora.
Blue felt a light touch on her hair. “Please stop petting me. I will bite you.” Her voice came out as threatening as she could make it, but the mercenary just laughed.
Sora watched this interplay closely, then nodded, coming to some sort of decision. “I will do what I can to help you find your family. Now, tell me what you know.”
Blue launched into her story, not stopping or letting herself think, only leaving out the parts having to do with the crystal and what had happened to Phillip. She really hadn’t talked about this much; most everyone she could talk to had lived through it themselves. It was hard to run through it all, but Sora turned out to be a good listener and saved her questions for the end.
“You say your father’s name was David Faust? I know of some Fausts, but there is no guarantee you are related. I never heard of one of their family running off to a closed world. A tale like that would definitely be gossiped about. We may not look it, but we Filiri do love our gossip.” Blue wasn’t sure she believed the woman. As soon as she’d mentioned her father’s name, Sora’s expression had become guarded. She’d recovered her air of mild interest quickly, but a hint of wariness remained.
“You can search for him, though, right? Or any connections?” She didn’t have to fake the eagerness in her voice, or the nervousness.
“She search. She say would,” Felix broke in, sending a frown to his friend when she hesitated.
Sora glanced at him, one of her brows raised. “You are learning English?” There was an odd note in her voice that Blue couldn’t quite place.
“Yes.” Felix didn’t say anything else, just stared at her until Sora turned to the screen and, after pushing a few papers out of the way, tapped the pad a few times, then the screen itself. Lettering and characters Blue didn’t know scrolled by, and she realized that, in addition to learning a new spoken language, she was going to need to learn a whole new written language as well. Why it hadn’t occurred to her before, she didn’t know, but she wasn’t looking forward to it. She heard a groan, looked over to see Forrest watching the screen, and knew the same thing had occurred to him.
He looked over at her. “Think we can skip it?”
“No. Unfortunately.”
Sora cleared her throat, pulling their attention back to her. She frowned, looking between Blue and the screen, where a picture of her father was displayed. “Is this your father?”
Blue stared. It really was him. Younger, with none of the smile lines he’d always had, but it was him. Her throat tightened. “Yes.” The word came out garbled, and she swallowed. “Wow, that was fast.” Her heart pounded, and anticipation coursed through her.
Sora’s lips thinned, and a frown marred her brow.
“What is it?” Blue’s enthusiasm took a dive seeing the other woman’s expression.
Sora still hesitated. “Tell.” Felix’s voice was hard, and she flinched.
“It appears he did have some family, distant cousins of some kind, and they live in the area. Brendan and Dorani Faust.” Her voice was guarded, and her eyes wouldn’t meet Blue’s. “I don’t know that I would approach them, though.”
“Why not?” Blue was frustrated. She understood that these people didn’t like to share, but she had just found out that she had family she’d never known about, that she had a chance to learn more about the father she’d apparently not really known. Plus, she really hated cryptic, useless hints.
“There was a recent death. Their daughter.”
Shame washed over her at Sora’s words but Blue pushed it aside. Now was not the time to dwell on that. She also didn’t fail to notice the new note of tension in Sora’s voice.
“What happened?” Apparently Mo’ata didn’t miss it either, and his voice came out sharp.
Sora crossed her arms and leaned back her chair, face completely closed. Everything about her posture said she was done helping.
Felix sat forward and spoke quickly in Common, pulling Sora’s attention back to him. As he continued, her expression softened. Shooting one last glare at Mo’ata, who had kept silent through this, she sat forward again and rubbed her brow.
“Please?” Blue softened her voice. “I know I don’t know them yet, but they are my family.” She had a feeling that whatever the guard was reluctant to tell them was important.
“I don’t like telling you this, for various reasons, but I guess you should know. None of this is something you couldn’t find out by visiting the records,” Sora finally relented. “There have been attacks through the city. We found the first body about four weeks ago. Most have been isolated to a particular warehouse district, workers and a few homeless. Two weeks ago, Gabriella Faust’s body was found in an alley in one of the bet
ter shopping districts.”
“What—” Blue swallowed. “What happened to her?” This must be the deaths tied to Phillip and the crystal. Though she was glad to find information and a connection they could follow up on so quickly, she regretted it had affected her father’s family.
“I cannot discuss that with you.” Sora’s expression softened, but her voice was firm. “I will tell you to avoid the area around the outer warehouses. There is no reason you should need to go there, but just be safe.”
“Thank you.” Blue hesitated, unsure if she should push for more. “Could you tell me where I can find them? My father’s family, I mean. I… don’t want to intrude, but I’ve come so far. Maybe I can offer them some comfort?”
Sora nodded and turned back to the screen. “I have sent the location of their residence to Felix.” Her tone was a clear dismissal, and Blue rose, Felix a bare second behind her. The others gathered their various packs and turned, making their way through the desks scattered through the room. They were almost to the door leading to the entrance when Sora called out.
“Blue, one moment please. Alone.”
Blue turned back to where the woman now stood in front of her desk. She took a few steps back in her direction, but the others followed. “Guys, she said alone. I don’t think she’ll hurt me, and I’ll be in clear view.” Everyone in the room had quieted when Sora called out, curious expressions on their faces. She hadn’t been kidding when she said the Filiri loved their gossip.
Mo’ata and Felix grumbled but relented, staying where they were as Blue made her way back to Sora. She had a curious expression on her face, a mix of speculation, curiosity, and wariness.
“Felix seems to like you.”
Was that what this was about? Did she want Felix herself, or was she just being protective of her friend? Blue wasn’t sure whether to laugh or growl with frustration. They did not need to be talking about this; they needed to get out there and track down Phillip. “I guess. We’re still getting to know each other. Like I told you, he’s helped me out a lot. He’s a nice guy, too.”
Beyond Blue Frontiers (The Adventures of Blue Faust Book 3) Page 10
