Page 94 of A Flash of Golden Fire

“She’s a mynah bird. They are excellent mimics.”

“My name is Esmeraalda. My name is Esmeraaaaaalda!” said in the woman’s voice.

“All right, Essie. We all know your name now.”

“Rude-assed cunt!” The bird echoed Domingo again.

Domingo laughed, a lovely sound. But I was off center about the bird who spoke in tones so reminiscent of a person. Esmaralda’s talent was eerie and strange and almost unbelievable, but I was there to witness her skill.

“She was a gift from a friend who had to leave us,” Domingo said, looking somber. “And I don’t know that I quite realized what I was taking on. But at least I still get to hear Claire’s voice every day.”

Captain Martin smiled. “I take it Claire was also a…person in your line of work?”

“Of course. So the bird doesn’t have fancy manners.” Domingo shrugged. “Well, neither do I, so we get along well.”

The room was not that big, but it had a large window with velvet curtains pulled to keep out the night, and was lit by a few pretty oil lamps in sconces. Incense burned on a side table, a wisp of smoke trailing upward and filling the room with the scent of orange and spices.

Domingo lay on a large bed that was positioned against one wall and covered with silks and pillows. He lounged on his back with one knee bent, his feet bare, and a chartreuse silk robe—the only thing he wore—sliding off one shoulder and belted loosely at his waist. The bright colour popped against his olive skin and gave him the air of a French courtesan.

He was as expensive as one, to be sure.

In one corner, I noticed a large wooden cage with perches placed at varying heights. The hinged gate was open as the bird had free run at the moment.

“Hello, Simon,” Domingo purred.

I turned to face him.

“Is your belly quite full now?” he asked in his sultry baritone.

“Hello, Domingo. It’s full of hock and potato. But there’s room for more.”

Domingo’s eyes went wide at that, and he flashed a look at the captain.

“Oh, I like him already. And he’s so very beautiful and small. Where did you find him, Dinesh?”

“Oh, he found me, actually. Begged to come aboard theArrowand said he’d take any job I offered him.”

“I see,” Domingo said with a laugh. “And has he fulfilled that promise?”

Esmaralda chirped and then mimicked Domingo’s melodic laugh with incredible accuracy.

Chapter Fourteen

Respite

Dinesh ignored Esmaralda and turned to me.

“In spades. Rooster has been absolutely invaluable to me and to theArrow, both.”

“Rooster?” Domingo asked. “Is your nickname Rooster because of your big—”

“Put it in! Put it in!” the bird shouted.

“Dear God,” Captain Martin muttered. “Won’t that bird shut up?”

Domingo regarded Captain Martin with much fondness and amusement.

“Only if I put her in her cage.”