“You made it,” she said.
“Yeah, no fucking thanks to you.”
A hint of regret crossed her face. “I apologize for the effect of the drug. I was… unaware of human biology. The drug should have done nothing more than open you to your basest self.”
“I don’t want to hear it. Where’s Kyla?”
The door to Ilis’s kitchen opened and Kyla stepped out. My shoulders slumped.
Ilis was examining my face.
“You believed I would harm the wolf.”
“You drugged me and left me vulnerable in your hellish swamp. Why wouldn’t I believe that?”
I looked past her, waiting impatiently for Kyla to make her way down the stairs. All I wanted to do was get the hell out of here.
“Don’t you wish to learn about the sword?” Ilis asked.
She was taunting me now? I glowered at her. “I failed your little task.”
She smiled. “A true warrior is merciful. They are compassionate. They do not slay innocents for their own benefit.”
A muscle next to my eye twitched. Twice.
I slapped my palm over it and moved my hand away from the hilt of my Mark II before I was tempted to do something I’d regret.
“Let me get this straight. You sent me into a swamp, instructed me to kill a mythical creature, drugged me, and now you’re telling me it was all some kind ofmoralitytest?”
Ilis nodded. “Compassion is one of the most ignored, yet most important, traits. If you were the kind of person who would slay the griffin for your own gain, I would not want the sword to fall into your hands. You would save your demon, and then one day, the power you gained would corrupt your soul.”
“You drugged me. I almost died.”
“The drug was only supposed to allow you to make the decision of your heart.”
I shook my head at that. I didn’t want to hear her excuses.
“Fine. Where can I find the people I’m looking for?”
Her gaze moved over my shoulder and surprise darted across her face. “The griffin has followed you.”
I ground my teeth. Of course he wouldn’t stay put, because that would be too easy. Although, since Ilis had told me Iwasn’tsupposed to kill him, at least I knew he wasn’t in any danger around here.
Kyla stepped gingerly across the spongy ground and stared at the griffin. “What, exactly, is that?”
“Your replacement. I didn’t know if you’d still be alive when I got back.”
She narrowed her eyes at me. “Hilarious.”
Kyla didn’t look any worse for wear, and I decided not to mention the drug in front of her while we were still here. You’re welcome, Ilis.
“Where’s Misty?”
Ilis handed the dagger to me and some of the tension drained from me as I slipped it back in its sheath.
“Who has the sword?”
“The queen of the merfolk.”
