Free Night of the Eye by Mary Kirchoff Page B

around Guerrand’s waist.
    “Kirah?” he demanded. “In the name of Habbakuk, what are you doing here?”
    For once in her young life, Kirah didn’t know how to answer. She’d never heard Guerrand sound so angry. “I—I’m sorry, Rand. I didn’t mean to startle you,” she said as meekly as she was capable. “I was worried about you and was simply trying to find out what
you’re
doing.”
    “Don’t use that innocent, little-lost-girl tone on me,” Guerrand snarled. “You have no idea what you may have done by interrupting me.”
    “Then why don’t you just tell me. Where are you going? Why the invisibility spell?”
    “I should dump you off here,” Guerrand muttered, ignoring her questions. He shifted in the saddle. “In fact I think I’ll do just that. It would serve you right.”
    “If you do, I’ll tell the entire keep you turned yourself invisible and ran off into the night!”
    “You wouldn’t dare!” Guerrand gasped. He thought it unlikely Kirah would betray him, and yet she
was
willful enough to suggest the blackmail. Guerrand twisted around painfully to look in the direction of her voice, though he couldn’t see her, either. “Someone should have spanked you years ago, Kirah.”
    “They tried. It didn’t help.” Kirah’s voice had regained its normal lilt, edged with smugness. “So, are you going to tell me what you’re up to or not?”
    Frustration burned behind his eyes. He’d slipped away without telling Zagarus of his plans, because he knew the bird would somehow let them slip to Kirah. And here he still had to deal with his wayward sister. He loved Kirah too well to just dump her, unprotected, in the dark and run, though he was annoyed enough with her to do just that. She deserved worse. The snoopy little scamp deserved to be dipped in honey and tied to a tree. She had no idea how she was wasting precious time and fouling up his plans. Yet, she could be reasoned with. Perhaps if she knew what she was ruining, she’d see the wisdom of returning quietly.
    “Please, Kirah, don’t ask any more questions,” he pleaded softly. “For once, just do as I ask and go home.”
    “You’re up to something strange, Guerrand DiThon, and I intend to know what it is.” Kirah locked her spindly arms more tightly around his waist.
    Guerrand laughed, despite himself. “I wish I could stay angry with you. You give me ample opportunity.” He fell serious. “I want to get away from the castle before anyone else overhears us. I’ll tell you then.” With that, Guerrand spurred his roan out of the stable and into the moonlit night, holding fast to the reins.
    Kirah clutched her brother’s waist and snuggled her face into the soft fabric of the tunic on his back. She was delighted with herself, thrilled with the adventure of the moment. Solinari was nearly full, but hidden behind thin clouds that glowed a ghostly blue-black where the bright orb tried to shine through them. The crashing sea and the horse’s hooves created a thrilling rhythm as they galloped away from the darkened castle and across the damp, earthy moor.
    Guerrand abruptly pulled the horse to a dead stopand without preamble announced, “I’m going to find the men who killed Quinn.”
    Kirah gasped. “How?”
    Guerrand reached into the cuff of his gauntlet and a small fragment of mirror simply appeared before him, as if suspended in air.
    “What’s that?” she breathed.
    “Someone in the village gave me this mirror. It can reveal the location of Quinn’s slayers,” he explained vaguely.
    “Someone?” she repeated with a squeal. “Who in Thonvil would have anything magical, let alone a mirror that knows the whereabouts of Quinn’s killers? That just doesn’t make sense, Rand.”
    Guerrand sighed heavily. Obviously Kirah wasn’t going to let him off easily. “He was a mage, a stranger here, but he seemed genuine. His spells were incredible—” Guerrand quieted abruptly. Belize had warned him to tell no one of