Lupi 09 - Mortal Ties

that
     looked like silk and would probably hit her knees when she stood. It was belted at
     her waist with a narrow leather band that held a sheath. The hiltof a knife protruded from that sheath. Her legs and feet were bare.
    At the table, Lily pulled out a chair at the place that was obviously meant for her.
     The elf who’d walked behind her went to stand behind the halfling woman. He had long
     hair the color of a Creamsicle and wore jeans and a T-shirt, which looked strange
     as hell on an elf. He was armed with a SIG Sauer, not a knife. He held the weapon
     in his hand, not pointing it at Lily, but ready to.
    A drift of white mist hovered over the table. Lily’s gaze flicked up to it once, then
     away. It was surprisingly reassuring to know Drummond was here. He couldn’t do anything,
     but he was here, and on her side.
    She believed that, she realized with a small jolt. Her gut did, anyway. Seeing his
     ghostly self nearby settled her stomach.
    “You may call me Alycithin,” the halfling said politely. She pronounced it much as
     Sean had, accent on the second syllable, only with more lilt. “I’m unsure of your
     preferences, and we have no servitors here, so I must ask you to serve yourself.”
     Her eyes were a bright, clear green. Like a cat’s.
    “I’m used to serving myself.” The table was set with plates for her and the halfling.
     Cloth napkins, but no silverware, Lily noted. No fork or butter knife to stab her
     hostess with. The food was all finger food—bacon, fruit someone had cut and arranged
     attractively on a platter, and a second platter with slices of bread. No butter, but
     it smelled good, like it wasn’t long out of the oven.
    There were also pitchers of water and what looked like orange juice with glasses for
     both. Also a delicate china cup and saucer at each place. And a teapot. No coffee.
     Lily grieved briefly, then took a slice of bacon and some strawberries. “Does your
     culture encourage or allow business to be discussed during a meal?”
    “It is thoughtful of you to ask. Normally we do not, but it is possible to make an
     exception to usual practice, if we both wish this.”
    “I wish it.” Tea was not, in Lily’s opinion, a substitute for coffee, but it was better
     than nothing. “Do you think the tea has finished steeping?”
    “I believe so.” Alycithin poured herself some water, smiled, and drank deeply before
     setting her glass down. Letting Lily know it wasn’t drugged—though a substance that
     affected Lily might not do a thing to one of the sidhe. “Would you care for some water?”
    “Thank you, yes.” No point in continuing to refuse to drink. If they wanted to drug
     her again, they would.
    The halfling poured for her. Lily drank thirstily, then poured herself a cup of tea.
     She was doing her best to channel Grandmother. Grandmother absolutely killed at the
     polite game when she wanted to—which, admittedly, wasn’t often, but she’d had three
     centuries to practice. Lily took a sip of tea. Not up to Grandmother’s standards,
     but it wasn’t bad. “Very nice. May I pour a cup for you?”
    “That would be kind.”
    Lily did so in the manner Grandmother had taught her. “Are we agreed that we can skip
     to some of the business we need to discuss?”
    “It is always a shame to curtail the more pleasant aspects of conversation, but you
     have a saying—‘needs must when the devil drives.’ I agree to this.”
    “I have two points of immediate concern. The first is the other two hostages. Sean
     Friar believes you are going to free him, unharmed.”
    “I have given him my word that I will do so, or, if I should die, my people are in
     turn bound to see it done.”
    “I hope you will forgive a question asked out of ignorance. Under what circumstances
     would you consider breaking your word?”
    “None.”
    Lily lifted her eyebrows. “None whatsoever? Not to save your life, your world, a roomful
     of tiny babies?”
    “I suppose if I were tortured long and artfully enough that my mind broke, the creature
     who remained might do any number of things I would not.” She picked up her cupand sipped. “A piquant aroma. Short of a death, which destroys the person if not the
     body, I honor my word.”
    “I’m happy to hear that. Did you give your word about Adam King, also?”
    “Adam King is held by Benessarai, not me, but he will act according to the code. What
     was your other concern?”
    “I must ask you to return my