“Thank you. And don’t call me ‘mate,’ please.”
“Yes, Alpha.”
Right.
Naeemah chuckled from her cage. I sighed and went inside.
I unlocked the door and handed her the spear. “It’s not as funny when you’re on the receiving end of it.”
Naeemah took two steps out of the cage and sat back down. I joined her.
“I let you out, and I’m due some answers. Who hired you?”
“Hugh d’Ambray.”
Knock me over with a feather.
It made sense in a twisted way. Hugh had seen me shatter the sword. He was either actively gathering information about me or planning to gather it, and he put a bodyguard in place to make sure nothing happened to me meanwhile. With my history, he ran the risk of standing on Roland’s carpet explaining that he had found his long-lost daughter, but she got herself killed before he could gather enough evidence to prove her identity. That would fly.
She’d pronounced Hugh’s name with distaste. I wondered why. “What’s your relationship to Hugh?”
“Some years ago, when my children were young, he killed a man one of my sons protected and captured my son. We bargained for my son’s life and I traded one favor of Hugh’s choosing.”
No love lost. Good for me, bad for Hugh. “Where is Hugh now?”
Naeemah’s smile turned predatory. “I don’t know. I’m not his keeper.”
I tried a different plan of attack. “What are the precise terms of your arrangement with Hugh?”
Naeemah chuckled again. “He ordered me to watch you and keep you safe from those who are a danger to you. I wasn’t to interfere or reveal myself unless your life was in grave peril.”
Curiouser and curiouser. “For how long?”
“He didn’t specify.”
I had a hunch I’d just found a loophole big enough to drive a cart through. “Is Hugh excluded from those who are a danger to me?”
Naeemah’s smile grew wider. “He didn’t specify.”
“Hugh isn’t as clever as he thinks he is.”
“That is a truth.”
“What if I told you that Hugh is the second biggest threat to me, second only to Erra?”
“I would say I already know this.”
“How?”
Naeemah leaned forward. The gaze of her black eyes fastened on me. “You shouldn’t have conversations by the window, when the wall of your house is easy to climb.”
She’d heard me and Andrea talking about Hugh. Probably every word.
“What will you do if Hugh attacks me?”
“I will protect you. My debt must be repaid.”
Score. “And how long will you continue to guard me?”
“That would depend on you.”
She had me there.
Naeemah drew herself straight. “I’ve protected people of power and people of wealth. Many, many people. I’ve judged you worthy. Don’t disappoint me.”
That was all I needed. Apparently, the Universe had decided that my life would be that much richer with a judgmental crocodile bodyguard in it. “I’ll keep it in mind. I’m going to fight Erra tonight. If you attempt to ‘rescue’ me again, I will kill you.”
“I’ll keep it in mind.”
I rose and Naeemah stood up with me. I had to do something with her and I had a feeling that getting her to work with the rest of the guards wouldn’t go over so well. She’d need her own space. “Come with me, please. We need to get you a room.”
She followed me out. The blond shapeshifter gaped at her, as if Naeemah were a cobra with her hood spread. Naeemah ignored her.
I headed back to Curran’s quarters, my two babysitters in tow.
Jim would just love this. If I wasn’t careful, I’d give him an aneurysm before my first month here was up.