Tempest’s Legacy by Nicole Peeler Page A

surrounded a dead computer. I frowned at his retreating back, wondering what he would have said had he the chance. It was enough to keep me musing for the next few hours.
    By the time everyone was finished collecting evidence, it was already six o’clock and I, for one, was ready for dinner. And so was my stomach, as it made clear with a very loud, very angry roar followed by a series of petulant gurgles. Of course it waited until the room was almost cleared out, and everyone remaining was quietly packing up their things. I stared down at my belly, vowing revenge, as everyone turned to stare.
    No doubt wondering where I’ve hidden the rabid Tasmanian devil
, I thought, blushing at the attention and cursing my prodigious appetite.
    “Hungry?” Ryu called from the other side of the room.
    I gave an apologetic shrug, resisting the urge to shout, “No shit, Sherlock.” After all, Anyan and Ryu should have known by now that only two things could be depended upon in this investigation: Jarl was the culprit and Jane was hungry.
    Ryu excused himself and walked toward me. When he came closer, I could smell balsam with that very faint, delicious undertone of musky cumin.
    He may be a dick, but he’s still hot,
my libido whispered regretfully. That said, my body didn’t stir at Ryu’s approach.
    We’re done
, I suddenly realized.
Ryu and I are over, at least for me
. At that thought, I felt an uncomfortable combination of relief and sadness sweep through me. Not least because, from the look in Ryu’s eyes, he hadn’t come anywhere near that conclusion.
    “We should get you something to eat, Jane. Maybe I can take you to dinner? Whatever you want… We can talk.”
    “I don’t think so, Ryu. Besides, I think I have to do that thing with Anyan and Julian…”
    Ryu frowned. “I’m really not thrilled with the idea of you going off alone into Borealis. Who knows what those people want—”
    “ ‘Those people’ are our hosts, and they’re letting you participate in this investigation against their better judgment,” growled Anyan’s rough voice as he put in his own two cents from where he was standing. Then he joined our little huddle, forcing Ryu to take a step away from me.
    Anyan’s leather jacket smelled like lemon wax, and underneath that was the smell of cardamom I’d come to associate with the barghest.
    “I know you trust these people, but I’m not comfortable allowing Jane to meet them by herself. Who knows what they want from her? Either you leave her with me or you take me with you.”
    That sent Anyan off on a tirade about how “those people” only wanted to meet me and Julian, and I wasn’t Ryu’s to control, and Ryu was here only as a courtesy to begin with. Ryu replied by telling the barghest that if he thought representing the king and queen was a courtesy, Ryu would be happy to pass that message on to Orin and Morrigan. It all went downhill from there.
    I listened to the two men argue, feeling more and more irritated. Part of it was simply because, truth be told, I hated conflict. I hated being around people who were arguing; I hated being around people who were stressed out. Why couldn’t we all just get along?
    The scents of lemon wax and balsam, cumin and cardamom washed over me and my stomach rumbled again. I suddenly fancied a curry, and I was tired of, quite literally, being argued over. The two men were giving me a crick in the neck as I peered up at them while they fought.
    “Anyan, Ryu, shut it!” I snapped. “I’m hungry, and this is pointless. Ryu, you just want to come along so you can spy. Anyan, why are you arguing? You know that’s what he wants, and you already know that despite what Ryu says, both Julian and I are going with you to this meeting.”
    Both men stared down at me for a moment, surprised. Finally, Anyan nodded. “Sorry, Jane. Let’s get you something to eat. Julian?” He called to the other halfling, jerking his head to the door to tell Julian it was time