Read Online Melissa McShane by Melissa Proffitt - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Melissa Proffitt
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in this time of greater madness, it’s almost impossible to know the truth. The outpouring of support for our temple is certainly a heartening sign.”
“I saw the noonday ritual,” Zerafine said, “though I regret I was too far away to observe closely. I imagine worshippers have also been very generous to the temple.”
Genedirou nodded sharply. “Money is of little consequence to us; you’ve seen how we live.
But Sukman’s work is always aided by...financial support.” He clasped his hands so tightly that his knuckles showed white against his olive skin.
“I understand,” she said with sweet, false sincerity. “Sirrah, I thank you for your time.
You’ve certainly cleared up a lot of my questions.”
Genedirou rose when she did, and saluted her perfunctorily. “I hope your visit here won’t be entirely wasted on our problems,” he said. “And that your...investigation...will be swiftly concluded.”
“Oh, we’ve decided to stay here for a few weeks anyway,” Zerafine said cheerily, and was
rewarded with Genedirou’s tightening all his facial muscles at once. “We’ve been traveling for so many months, I think we’ve earned some rest, even if it is during the height of the summer heat. I find Ailausor to be so draining , don’t you?”
They exchanged a few more inconsequentialities, then Zerafine took her leave. The three
were silent as they crossed the sanctuary, still full of people, but Zerafine took a moment to salute Rovalt, who nodded in return. Back on the street, they walked for a while in silence, Nacalia running ahead, until Zerafine said, “Well?”
“He’s milking this thing for all he can get out of it,” Gerrard said. “He was definitely not happy that you were meddling in what he thinks of as his affairs.”
“Agreed. I would bet he has no idea what these apparitions really are.”
“And yet he has some way of making them disappear and stay disappeared.”
“So it might still have something to do with Sukman.”
Gerrard scratched his beard. “Possibly. My impression is that Genedirou really believes
Sukman is behind it all, but he’s sort of flailing around and has happened upon something that works.”
Zerafine sighed. “If it’s true that Sukman is responsible, then that makes it none of our business, except that the Marathelos gave me the responsibility, which makes it my business again. And the Council wants me to be part of the solution, whatever Genedirou says. So it’s my business twice over.”
“I’ll be happy when this is all over. Almost nobody involved really wants us here. Even the Council wishes we weren’t necessary.” Gerrard stopped. “Where are we?”
“I don’t know. Where is Nacalia ?”
They had been following her without thinking, and now found themselves in a warren of
tiny streets and tall apartment houses of lath and stone. Nacalia had vanished. Gerrard cursed. “I knew I should have been paying closer attention to her.”
“She wouldn’t have run off and left us.”
“No, but she might have gotten too far ahead. She’s sort of flighty sometimes.”
They moved to the side of the road and watched the traffic for sign of their little guide. After about five minutes, Nacalia ran up to them from a completely unexpected direction. She was wide-eyed and harried.
“Where did you run off to?” Gerrard thundered.
“Don’t growl,” Zerafine said. She crouched down to Nacalia’s eye level. “The girl is
terrified.”
“Can’t imagine her being afraid of anything on these streets,” Gerrard muttered.
“Madama thelis , sentare , I...I got lost!” Nacalia exclaimed, and burst into tears.
“Oh, little one, that’s not so bad—”
“It is , thelis , it is !” Nacalia was beside herself. “I ha’nt never been lost on these streets, not once my whole life long, and I turned a corner along the way to your place and I swear it wa’nt there, and when I turn around the road I come down was the wrong road. Took
“I saw the noonday ritual,” Zerafine said, “though I regret I was too far away to observe closely. I imagine worshippers have also been very generous to the temple.”
Genedirou nodded sharply. “Money is of little consequence to us; you’ve seen how we live.
But Sukman’s work is always aided by...financial support.” He clasped his hands so tightly that his knuckles showed white against his olive skin.
“I understand,” she said with sweet, false sincerity. “Sirrah, I thank you for your time.
You’ve certainly cleared up a lot of my questions.”
Genedirou rose when she did, and saluted her perfunctorily. “I hope your visit here won’t be entirely wasted on our problems,” he said. “And that your...investigation...will be swiftly concluded.”
“Oh, we’ve decided to stay here for a few weeks anyway,” Zerafine said cheerily, and was
rewarded with Genedirou’s tightening all his facial muscles at once. “We’ve been traveling for so many months, I think we’ve earned some rest, even if it is during the height of the summer heat. I find Ailausor to be so draining , don’t you?”
They exchanged a few more inconsequentialities, then Zerafine took her leave. The three
were silent as they crossed the sanctuary, still full of people, but Zerafine took a moment to salute Rovalt, who nodded in return. Back on the street, they walked for a while in silence, Nacalia running ahead, until Zerafine said, “Well?”
“He’s milking this thing for all he can get out of it,” Gerrard said. “He was definitely not happy that you were meddling in what he thinks of as his affairs.”
“Agreed. I would bet he has no idea what these apparitions really are.”
“And yet he has some way of making them disappear and stay disappeared.”
“So it might still have something to do with Sukman.”
Gerrard scratched his beard. “Possibly. My impression is that Genedirou really believes
Sukman is behind it all, but he’s sort of flailing around and has happened upon something that works.”
Zerafine sighed. “If it’s true that Sukman is responsible, then that makes it none of our business, except that the Marathelos gave me the responsibility, which makes it my business again. And the Council wants me to be part of the solution, whatever Genedirou says. So it’s my business twice over.”
“I’ll be happy when this is all over. Almost nobody involved really wants us here. Even the Council wishes we weren’t necessary.” Gerrard stopped. “Where are we?”
“I don’t know. Where is Nacalia ?”
They had been following her without thinking, and now found themselves in a warren of
tiny streets and tall apartment houses of lath and stone. Nacalia had vanished. Gerrard cursed. “I knew I should have been paying closer attention to her.”
“She wouldn’t have run off and left us.”
“No, but she might have gotten too far ahead. She’s sort of flighty sometimes.”
They moved to the side of the road and watched the traffic for sign of their little guide. After about five minutes, Nacalia ran up to them from a completely unexpected direction. She was wide-eyed and harried.
“Where did you run off to?” Gerrard thundered.
“Don’t growl,” Zerafine said. She crouched down to Nacalia’s eye level. “The girl is
terrified.”
“Can’t imagine her being afraid of anything on these streets,” Gerrard muttered.
“Madama thelis , sentare , I...I got lost!” Nacalia exclaimed, and burst into tears.
“Oh, little one, that’s not so bad—”
“It is , thelis , it is !” Nacalia was beside herself. “I ha’nt never been lost on these streets, not once my whole life long, and I turned a corner along the way to your place and I swear it wa’nt there, and when I turn around the road I come down was the wrong road. Took
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