Daris eyed the god for a few seconds, debating.
As if sensing his indecision, Hermes’s lips curled into a sneer.
“Do not think to deceive me, Daris. You will not like my response.”
“That’s not my intention,” Daris bit out, walking a fine line between angering one god and protecting another. Hermes’s reaction to Ren’s visit made his hackles rise and his battle instincts kicked in.
Flexing his right hand, Daris said, “But I want to know why her being here would anger you so.”
Hermes canted his head. “Where. Is. She?”
Daris felt the color rise in his neck and muttered, “She’s in Ermanel.”
Hermes clapped him on his shoulder before pivoting toward the doors. He called back over his shoulder. “Come! We ride for Ermanel!”
CORVO, ERMANEL
Terena gasped, grabbing hold of her chest as she blinked away the bright light that nearly blinded her. Hand lifting to shield her eyes, she yelped when her pants fell to her hips. She hastily grabbed them to hold them in place. Squinting, Terena barely saw the buildings along the quiet street.
Her heart in her throat, she shivered in her meager clothing as she turned in a circle, finding herself standing outside of a building in a rundown part of Corvo, Ermanel. Daris and his warmth were long gone.
Stopping in front of a familiar building, Terena recalled it was where they’d gone last night to find the seer. Running her hands up and down her arms, Terena took a step toward the building when the doors opened. Surrounded by the dark, the slightly unkempt blonde witch, Cassandra, emerged. Hands still on the doors, her tattooed lips stretched in a slow grin.
“You’re back,” she said in a throaty voice.
“Did you do that to me?” Terena snapped, taking a huge step toward the woman.
Cassandra threw back her head and laughed. “No, goddess.Youdid that. But I did see it in my vision before you walked into my gambling den last night. Come,” she stepped back, gesturing with a languid wave toward the interior. “Your friends await.”
Terena stood rooted in place for a moment before striding after the blonde woman. Her hips swished in a way that made Terena scowl, as if she was purposely mocking her.
Cassandra whistled and Croak thundered forward out of a darkened back corner, his eyes blinking owlishly at the blonde. When he turned his gaze and spotted Terena, his mouth dropped open and he reached for her, grabbing her up and swinging her before she could react. He set her back down, and she saw a tear escape his eye before he ducked his head.
“Hey,” she said soothingly, cupping his face in her hands. She twisted her head to meet his glazed eyes. “Croak, I’m all right. I’m fine.”
He shook his head and swallowed. Someone thumped her on the back and she swung around only to find herself wrapped up in another fierce embrace, this time the arms like iron bands and filled with more muscle than Croak would see in his lifetime.
“Where the fuck did you go?” Gabriol asked gruffly, releasing his hold. Rydon ambled behind him, reaching out to pull her close, and kissed the top of her head. Terena felt the heat rise in her face and chest, warmed by the love she felt for these three.
“You won’t believe me if I told you,” she laughed, her voice shaky as she looked at each of them. Vassori came up behind her and laid a hand on her shoulder, moving past her to stand beside Gabriol.
Terena’s gaze swung to Cassandra, who stood idly by, arms crossed in front of her with her finger lazily twirling a lock of her hair as she watched them.
“Cassandra said you ported somewhere,” Croak said, his voice stronger now as he frowned down at her. “I didn’t know you could do that.”
Terena scoffed. “That makes two of us, Croak.” She narrowed her eyes at Cassandra. “But you did.”
The woman shrugged with a coy smile. “I saw it. Long before I met you.”
Terena waved a hand at her. “I think it’s time for you to tell us all you know.”
Cassandra laughed. “All I know? Hardly. But I will tell you what you need to know.”
Rydon grunted. “Today, witch.”
Cassandra clicked her tongue, wagging a finger at him. “Alas, Eudaemon, I am no witch. More’s the pity. But I can see the future.”
“Will I end up married to a gorgeous woman?” Croak asked. “What am I talking about? Of course I will.”
