The Inquisitives [2] Night of Long Shadows by Paul Crilley Read Free Book Online Page B

had even heard they gave out awards these days.
    The familiar noises of the streets washed over him in waves. Not gentle waves, but storm-tossed, violent waves, beautiful yet dangerous, alluring yet life-threatening. It was the cacophony of all things at once: the hoarse cry of stall merchants, the seductive calls of courtesans, the cries of fear or pain as someone became a nightly statistic. It was all here. Every aspect of city life in all its brutality and beauty.
    Wren loved it.
    “Stop grinning like an idiot,” said Torin.
    “Come now, Torin. It’s a beautiful night. The stars are shining—”
    “How would you know? You can’t see the stars from here.”
    “It’s stopped raining, at least.”
    “It’ll start up again soon. And anyway, it’s misty.”
    “Torin! Always the pessimist! Look how the mist reflects the lights! Nature and craft, joining together, creating something that couldn’t exist one without the other.”
    Torin shook his head in disgust. “You’re so full of it, you know that?”
    “Of course I do. And therein lies my charm.”
    A loud roar erupted from somewhere up ahead, and then three goblins smashed through a glass window and skidded across the road. A second later, a huge minotaur stepped through the opening. It stomped across the street to where the first of the goblins was trying to rise. It pushed the smaller creature back to the ground, then lifted its huge foot and brought it down on the goblin’s head with a savage bellow of anger. The minotaurdid the same to the other goblins, staring down at them with satisfaction before turning and walking into the mist.
    “We shouldn’t be down here, anyway,” said Torin nervously. “The nights of Long Shadows aren’t for normal people.”
    “Rubbish. It’s just a festival like any other.”
    “Yes, but it’s a festival where minotaurs and bugbears creep out of their holes and do nasty things to people like us.”
    Wren indicated the dead goblins. “How do you know that was anything to do with the Shadow? The goblins could have cheated the minotaur at cards. Or tried to steal from him. This is Lower Menthis, Torin. You don’t need a religious festival for the crazies to come out of the woodwork.”
    “Exactly! Which begs the question—what are we doing here?”
    “Visiting a friend,” said Wren. “One who may be able to help us.” He glanced down at Torin. “What do you think of all this, anyway?”
    “Not sure yet,” said Torin thoughtfully. “Not enough information. The killer wanted something from the professor. That’s a given, judging by his broken fingers.”
    “You noticed that, did you?”
    “Of course I did. This girl you mentioned. Either she was in on it, or she witnessed it. Either way, I think she’s the key.” “My thoughts exactly.”
    They reached the end of the road and turned into a closed-off street. At its end was a huge building with an understated sign glowing above the double doorway. The sign spelled out the owner’s name as well as the name of the establishment.
    “Savia’s?” said Torin. “What are we doing here?”
    “I told you—she’s a friend who may be able to help.”
    A hulking bugbear stood by the doors. He stared at them, then evidently decided they posed no threat and opened the doorfor them. Wren and Torin stepped into a small greeting area, a quiet room with tasteful paintings on the walls and ornately carved furniture situated around small glass tabletops that floated in the air. Violin music wafted from somewhere. Wren made a mental note to ask Savia how she accomplished this. He would love to have music playing throughout his apartments. What a wonderful idea.
    A young woman in a low-cut white dress with blue leaves embroidered around the hems approached the two of them, a charming smile playing about her exotic features. Her skin was dark, her hair black as a raven’s wings. Wren bowed extravagantly.
    “My lady,” he said.
    “My lord,” she replied. She smiled