Page 118

“The other kids on the streets?”

“Yes. A lot of the other kids are very mean. They’re monsters.”

“Could you show me to these underground tunnels?” Calli asked her.

“All right. But if I help you, you’ll owe me much more than a meal at the Jolly Joint.”

“How do you figure?”

“This gig of yours…finding missing children,” young Leda said. “That has to be worth at least ten thousand dollars.”

“Twenty thousand. The sheriff wants this sorted quickly, so the Legion doesn’t come into town.”

“The Legion of Angels.” Young Leda’s voice was full of awe—and something else.

“Right.”

“The angels are pretty, but there’s something weird about them,” the young girl observed.

“Oh?”

“The angels always follow the rules,” young Leda said. “Even when it’s the wrong thing to do. People should always do the right thing. Otherwise, what’s the point of life?”

“You are wise beyond your years,” Calli told her.

Young Leda looked her over. “So are you.”

Calli laughed.

“Leda.” She pointed at herself. “That’s my name.”

“Nice to meet you, Leda. I’m Calli.” She extended her hand to young Leda, and the girl shook it. “So, Leda, how about you show me to those underground tunnels?”

“I will. After we agree on my reward.”

“Ah, so you haven’t forgotten about that.”

Young Leda gave her a stern look. “You hoped that I would.”

“No. I’m glad that you’re as shrewd of a businesswoman as I am.”

Young Leda stood a bit taller.

“What happened to your family?” Calli asked her.

“Dead. All of them.”

Calli set a comforting hand on the girl’s shoulder. “I’m sorry.”

Young Leda shook her head and cleared her throat. “It happened a long time ago.”

“I was wrong,” Calli said. “You need more than a hot meal. You need a new family.”

“You want me to come live with you?” Young Leda didn’t look too opposed to the idea actually.

“It wouldn’t be the first time I took in a child in need,” Calli told her.

“How many children have you taken in?”