“Cut it out!” Kid cried.
“Shut up, faggot,” Treycore barked.
Kid was shocked by Treycore's severity.Why was he being mean to him? Weren't they in this together?
“That's so cute,” Vera said. “I think the mortal’s developing a little crush.”
Treycore stared at her, expressionless.
Her thin lips curled into a smirk. “You seem different, Treycore. You seem…troubled.”
She stepped toward him and knelt until her face was just above his, as if trying to illustrate her superiority through their positions.
“What's wrong?” she asked. “You used to be so open with me. It doesn't matter. You, Kinzer, and Dedrus have failed. We have the mortal woman, and we have the child. Mika, release the mortal. We have no business with him.”
Treycore remained expressionless. Mika grabbed Kid by the back of his collar and forced him to his feet. Keeping his dagger tight against Kid’s neck, he led him to the door.
“No, no!” Kid protested.
Treycore's jaw tensed. “Just get the fuck out of here, Kid.”
“They're gonna kill you!”
“You care for Treycore?” Vera asked.
Kid looked to Treycore. He wasn't sure if he should answer.
“Don't worry. I can tell you do. I apologize if we haven't been previously introduced. I’m Vera. Kid’s your name, right? I’m assuming it’s not just a descriptor. Mika, you can let him go. He won't try anything. Will you?”
Kid shook his head.
“Let him go.”
Mika released him. He tucked his dagger into its sheath and zipped his pants back up.
“You don't know me,” Vera said, “so I can understand why you don't feel that you can trust me. But I'm a fallen that keeps her word. Treycore can vouch for this. Can't you, Treycore?”
“Kid, don't listen to her.”
“Have I ever gone against my word?”
“Kid…”
“As you can see, even Treycore, who in this moment despises me, cannot deny that I'm a fallen of my word.”
“Kid…”
“Shut him up,” Vera said.
Craetis’s hand rushed over Treycore’s mouth.
“Treycore,” she continued, “I'm sorry, but this is between me and Kid.”
Kid's eyes moved uneasily between Treycore and Vera.
“If I told you that you could save Treycore's life, would you be willing to make a deal?”
Treycore muttered behind Craetis's hand, but it was clear that he was saying, “You fucking cunt.”
