Free Promise of Wrath (The Hellequin Chronicles Book 6) by Steve McHugh Page B

dragon?”
    “I’ve heard it a few times. Also a demon, the devil, and a few others. The stories are always bigger than the truth. No dragons, I’m afraid.”
    “Shame. I’ve never seen one.”
    “If you two are quite done, Siris, can you tell us where Isabel is?’ Nanshe’s voice held only a hint of reproach.
    “She’s on the roof. Don’t worry; she’s unable to fly, so getting off there would be quite the trick. I’ve discovered that people are more likely to talk if you allow them a little freedom. I wanted to know if she knew more than she was letting on.”
    The three of us continued up to the roof, where Isabel greeted Siris and Nanshe while watching me with caution.
    “This is Hellequin,” Nanshe told her.
    As I was introduced to Isabel, I wondered for a moment if maybe there was something more between her and Mordred. Back when we were friends, Mordred had been with several different women, usually more than one at a time, and usually each relationship had burned brightly until it had extinguished itself and he’d moved on.
    “Mordred sent me here,” I told her.
    “Where is he?” Isabel asked Nanshe, ignoring me completely.
    “Safe. He’s a dangerous criminal,” she assured her.
    “He was never dangerous to me, just kind.”
    “He told me you helped save him after he was attacked.”
    Isabel appeared confused for a moment. “Yes, of course,” she said, and I wondered if that was a lie. “He’s my patient, so I would like to see him.”
    “That’s not going to happen,” I told her. “Not now, not ever. He’s a murderer and all-round vicious bastard. You’re lucky he didn’t cut you into tiny chunks and feed them to the sharks.”
    “You have no idea what you’re talking about!” Isabel snapped. “Kindly leave.”
    “What’s the connection between Mordred and yourself?” I asked. “Friends? Something more?”
    Anger lit up Isabel’s face. “How dare you imply anything! You know nothing about me.”
    “I’m not implying anything at all,” I explained. “I’m asking a question.”
    I knew Nanshe wouldn’t be impressed with my question, but while it was her job to help lead the Mesopotamian deities, it was mine to ensure that Avalon was safe. And that meant sometimes having to annoy people I might not want to annoy.
    “No, we are not lovers. We are friends: something I imagine you’ve been told several times given that I’ve been asked that question a dozen times over since becoming involved in this situation.”
    “I’m not here to make you comfortable,” I explained. “I’m here to find answers, and try to make sure no one dies. So if you’re unhappy with any questions I might have, then I’ll just have to accept that irritation and move on regardless.”
    Isabel stared at me for several seconds before her obvious anger drained from her. “I helped him, and that kindness was repaid by being locked away. They say I’m no prisoner, but then they have guards follow me everywhere. Feels like a prison to me. It makes me less than inclined to continue helping.”
    “I thank you for your aid in this matter,” I assured her. “I promise it’ll be over for you soon.”
    “I want to see Mordred.”
    “I wish I could take you, but I can’t. Mordred asked me to get you out of the city, so we need to leave.”
    “I’ll not go. My friends and life are here. He would not ask such a thing of me.”
    “How long have you known him?” I asked, feeling the warmth of anger inside me. “A week? Two?”
    “Three years, on and off. Although I don’t see what business that is of yours.”
    Apparently we were going back to being uncooperative again. “I’m surprised to hear that Mordred has been here for so long, even on and off.” I was more surprised that he’d managed to live here without trying to kill a lot of people. Normally, he arrived somewhere, caused mayhem and destruction, and left.
    “I’m being held in this building, whether you call it a prison or