Page 64 of The Tracker's Revenge

“There is.”

“Will you try then?” He seemed to choke a little as if it hurt his pride to ask a human for help. “Will your agency accept the case?”

I had the urge to mess with him, to tell him I’d have to check my calendar, but I managed to act like a proper adult.

Instead, I inclined my head gracefully. “Of course, it is what I do.”

The Prince seemed to exhale a sigh of relief, which made it clear he’d run out of ideas on how to find his cousin and out of excuses to give his aunt and mother. “The fee is not of import, and, as before, I will be in your debt.”

“Well, perhaps not a fee, but... a favor.” I exchanged a glance with Jake.

The Prince seemed to grow tense.

“Since you mentioned you’ll be in Toni’s debt,” Jake said. “It should be no hair off your back to help her with what she needs.”

Gah, that was sonotsubtle! But of course, subtle was not one of Jake’s qualities. And I had to admit that his directness saved a lot of time and saved me from fretting over how to best broach hard subjects.

Kalyll’s dark blue gaze cut in my direction. “Please, tell me how I might begin to repay you for your aid.”

“It’s not a terribly difficult favor,” I said, pulling out the vial from my breast pocket and placing it on the table.

The Prince stared curiously at the insignificant thing that lay in front of him. “What is that?”

“It’s the elixir Damien Ward created to cure his daughter,” Jake answered.

“I fail to see how I can help with this.” Kalyll looked puzzled.

“I would just like to keep it well guarded,” I said. “It’s a life-saving potion, the only one of its kind, and I feel it shouldn’t be wasted on just anyone. Things in St. Louis are precarious right now, and this elixir might become important. I could be wrong about that, but one thing is for sure, since I couldn’t give it to Damien’s daughter, I want to make sure that whoever gets it deserves it. I feel that it’s the least I can do after failing him.” My voice broke at the end, and I had to swallow to force down the lump that rose in my throat before I could continue. “I also haven’t given up hope that it can be duplicated and more than one life might be saved thanks to it.” I opened my mouth to continue, trying to make the Prince understand the elixir’s importance, but Kalyll raised a hand.

“Say no more.” He palmed the elixir and placed it in a pocket inside his tunic. “I will keep it safe for you. I promise that no one will learn of its existence through me, and I’ll deliver it safely to you and no one else whenever you want it back.”

“Thank you,” I managed in a soft voice that revealed how emotional this whole affair made me feel.

“Thank you,” Jake echoed. “I know this is a great relief to Toni, and no small favor in her book.”

“And you were quite right,” the Prince added with a friendly smile, “it isno hair off my backto help her with it.”

“Your mentors taught you well,” Jake said in an amused tone. “You understand our crazy sayings. Maybe one day you can teach us some of yours.”

Kalyll smiled, his expression friendly toward Jake, which surprised me. It seemed the Prince had appreciated Jake’s directness. Strangely so, I had a feeling the two could become friends if given the chance.

“Toni is the best tracker I know,” Jake put in. “If there’s anyone who can find your cousin, it’s her.”

“That is also my understanding,” Kalyll said.

I raised an eyebrow. It seemed he’d been doing his research, and I wasn’t sure how to feel about that.

“Um, normally, there is a contract to sign, but,” I extended my hand, “maybe we just shake on it?” I knew I didn’t actually need a contract with the Fae. If they gave their promise, it was binding since they couldn’t lie. Besides, from what I’d surmised about the Prince, he was honorable.

He wrapped his big hand around mine and gave it a firm squeeze. “I promise to abide by the terms of what we’ve discussed.”

The Prince let go, reached into a pocket of his tunic, and came up with a metal key. The top was intricate, beautifully wrought. The stem was long, and the bit possessed several notches shaped into a flower. He handed it over. It was heavy, substantial.

“It belongs to Gonira. I believe you need something of her to track her.”

I put the key away and nodded.Yep, he’d certainly done his homework.

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