Page 14 of A Tempest of Intrigue (Tempest of Shadows #4)

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Ryker

I laughed at his revelation. “That’s not possible.”

Gaius’s eyes narrowed on me; he didn’t like that I found this humorous. Nothing was a joke to this man. He couldn’t know it, but it wasn’t a joke to me either.

“That’s what we all believed,” Samael said, “but according to everyone who witnessed the freeing of the rebels, a female lightning bearer helped them.”

“They must have imagined it. I’m sure a lot was going on at the time.”

I doubted I could change anyone’s mind about what they’d seen, and I knew exactly what that was, but I could try.

“I’m sure there was too, but all the guards, recaptured prisoners, and townsfolk who witnessed what happened swear a female lightning bearer stood on that roof—” Samael thrust a finger at the roof where Ellery was last night “—and unleashed lightning on Ivan’s followers.”

The image of Ellery doing exactly that was emblazoned on my mind. I could live another ten thousand years and still vividly recall what happened here last night. I was sure all who’d witnessed, and survived it, would say the same.

“How do they know it was a woman?” I asked.

“She was naked from the waist up,” Samael said.

“They must be mistaken. Female lightning bearers don’t exist.”

“Apparently, they do.”

“They say she flew,” Gaius said.

It was more like levitated, but it wouldn’t astound me if Ellery somehow figured out a way to do so. She was full of surprises.

Their eyes bore into me as I laughed again. “Well, that would also be a first because I’ve never flown before, and I know I’m a lightning bearer.”

“Believe me, if her breasts weren’t on full display, Ivan would be hunting you,” Samael said.

I was certain of that, which was why Ellery had exposed herself to everyone. As much as I hated they’d all seen her, she’d ensured they knew there was no way I was on the roof.

“They say they were lovely breasts too,” Gaius said.

I resisted punching him in his too-arrogant face. “Who are you again?”

When his nostrils flared and his hands flexed, I knew my question irritated him more than any blow would have.

“I am Gaius Gisborne. The sheriff’s right-hand man.”

I glanced over at him before turning dismissively away. “Sounds like a lot was happening at the time; maybe they saw things wrong,” I told Samael.

“All of them swore up and down they saw a woman,” Samael said. “Even the ones under duress didn’t change their stories.”

I could only imagine how awful that duress was after everything I’d seen Ivan do lately.

“If there’s another lightning bearer in the realm, why wouldn’t they come forward?” I asked. “My ability is highly esteemed in Tempest. The first woman to possess it would be sought after and revered.”

I knew exactly why Ellery’s parents had hidden her, and I agreed with their decision. She would have been pursued, but not for reasons that benefited her. She would have been used, abused, possibly locked away, and treated like an object by most of the nobles.

They most likely would have forced her to have the babies of whatever aristocrat took possession of her. Her life would have been one of misery.

No sane woman would have come forward. I suspected these two knew it too, but they’d never voice it.

“Your guess is as good as mine,” Samael said.

“How does Ivan plan to find this woman?”

Samael looked back at the charred bodies decorating the green. “Right now, he has roadblocks in place. He’s having his men interrogate anyone who tries to cross them before sending them back to Nottingshire. He doesn’t expect much to come from it, but you never know. I’m assuming you arrived by portal.”

“I did. I came for some drinks, but this isn’t exactly the mood I was searching for,” I told him.

“Some will leave by portal, even though they’ve been commanded not to.”

“These fuckers don’t listen,” Gaius muttered.

And I didn’t blame them. “How long does Ivan plan to keep Nottingshire cut off from the roads?”

“I don’t know. I imagine it won’t be too long as trade has to happen, and I doubt he expects to find any answers from anyone here, other than the ones he already has, but it’s making them nervous. And nervous amsirah make mistakes.”

“True,” I murmured.

“He’s going to find her. There’s nothing he won’t do to make sure it happens.”

And I would do whatever it took to make sure it never happened.