22

With the shadow stone in my mouth, I was all but invisible as I crept behind the three soldiers. The shorter one made a few comments about the size of Zia's breasts, and the other two laughed and then went on about how the tall one had slapped Silvy. Really put her in her place, he said.

"I'm telling you, I know she's involved somehow," the tall soldier said. "Ain't nobody around here do magic except for her, and Grom was killed with magic."

Grom. His name was Grom. I tucked that bit of information away, just in case it might come in handy later, although I couldn't think of how it would matter.

"What makes you say that?" the shorter one asked.