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"If Rancil knows the Saghred’s location, ouldn’t he just sell the infor Ocnus, he probably made the offer," Tam said "But if he’s up to his usual tricks, Nukpana wasn’t the only potential buyer And with the Mal’Salin fa for the family has become even more complicated than it used to be"

Phaelan tossed back the last of his drink "Sounds like he’s holding out for the highest bidder"

"Ocnus is known for playing both sides of the fence, so that wouldn’t surprise me," I said

Tam chuckled "Sarad Nukpana doesn’t like to be played"

"Anything froround?" I asked If Taood idea

"Not a peep"

"Considering who’s after him, Ocnus has every reason to claw his way under the nearest rock," Phaelan noted

I smiled It was a slow smile, and it was borderline malicious

"I think I know just which one to turn over"

Chapter 16

No doubt Ocnus had alanted to be popular Noanted to talk to him So did Sarad Nukpana But somehow, I didn’t think that was the kind of popularity Ocnus had in h Fro his own people Nothing like having a deal go sour to compel you to make yourself scarce When the Goblin District was the last place he wanted to be, Ocnus had three favorite places to drown his sorrows: the Blind Bandit, the Sly Fox, and the Sleeping Giant The Blind Bandit had burnt to the ground last et his hands on Ocnus al Giant Sure enough, Ocnus was in residence at the bar with his two hobgoblin bodyguards in tow

Bodyguard work caed, and yellow-eyed, you don’t need ood at one thing--being big To their credit, they did it very well But speed, either of thought or action, wasn’t a burden either one carried

The Sleeping Giant was a dockside dive located on Cutthroat Alley I knohat it sounds like, but the locals liked the naht civic- it what it really was It told the nonlocal as likely to happen to thenore the warning that was their business, or life

Phaelan aiting for Ocnus with two of his crew and a pair of Guardians in an alley off the aforementioned alley that ran beside the tavern Tam was back at Sirens He had a business to take care of I told hi care ofto let rateful he didn’t take the hardline security solution of locking me up somewhere I was sure he still considered that an option, but since there was no way he could get the Saghred by hiood side And that’s exactly where he was Really close While Eiliesor’s proximity was rather nice, it wasn’t very practical If I needed to draw a blade, I’d have to knock hi his size in relation to mine, I knew that wasn’t physically possible

I’d join Phaelan in a minute, but I wanted to talk to Eiliesor now I had so questions of the life-and-death variety Eiliesor and I were behind some crates around the corner from Cutthroat Alley Phaelan would let me knohen Ocnus put in an appearance I wanted the first hands around Ocnus’s throat to be th away, utterly still, his hands relaxed--and where they could ier Always the Guardian, always on duty, always ready for anything I wondered if he even kne to relax Not that I wanted him to start now, but I did wonder what a playful Mychael Eiliesor would be like

Hehim He looked down at ht

"What are you thinking?" His voice was a husky whisper Raising your voice in this part of the waterfront was never a good idea Maybe he knew that Or maybe it was just for ," I lied

"You were s"

"Was not"

One corner of his mouth turned upward "Yes, you were What is it?"

"I ondering if you’re ever off duty"

"I am"

"Do you ever act like it?"

His blue eyes shone in the half-light "I’ve been known to Is that what pro anything other than a Guardian"

"I don’t knohat you an

"By the book and all business"

The sher level of accountability than some of my predecessors It’s earned me a reputation that has its uses Sometimes it makes my job, and the jobs of my men, a little easier" The smile faded "I take my position--and er because of an object that isyou to help us find"

I shifted unco to help aren’t exactly honorable, you know I’et this thing off of et what you want"