I sighed and got out of the car. The griffin waited patiently, his gaze on Hannah. By the time he was out of the car, huge and majestic on the sidewalk, Hannah’s mouth had dropped open.
She gazed at the teeth, the wings, the patient, amused eyes.
“That can’t be what I think it is.”
I smiled, pleased to shock the witch. The griffin nudged my hand with his and I stroked him on his soft head.
“You can’t take a griffin as a pet, halfling.”
I frowned at her. “He’s not a pet. He’s my friend.”
The griffin let out a sound like a purr and Kyla gave me a look that said she remembered exactly how pleased I’d been when the griffin followed us through the portal.
Hannah threw up her hands as if she was tired of my shit, and turned to stalk down the path and into her house. We caught up to her within a couple of steps.
Kyla glanced around, wide-eyed, as she took in Hannah’s crowded home. The griffin somehow managed to delicately pick his way between the antique furniture. The witch had added to her collection since I’d been here last, all of it smelling of the oil she’d recently used to polish it. We followed her through the dining room and into the living room, where she gestured for us to sit on the sofa.
Her eyes rolled back in her head and she was silent for a long moment. Then she blinked. “You,” she said, pointing to Kyla. “You will lose everything one day.”
Kyla scowled at her. “You sure you’re not looking at my past?”
Hannah gave her a slow smile. “No. When you are ready, you will come here and allow me to feed on your misery, and I will give you the advice you will need. Eventually, if you’re not an idiot, you may find happiness in the place you least expected it.”
Kyla’s scowl deepened. “I don’t need your advice.”
Hannah opened her mouth, likely to scold her, but I shot her a look. The wolf had been through one hell of a day, and the interaction with her brother had been the cherry on her shit sundae.
Hannah merely shook her head, the hint of a smile dancing around her mouth. “He won’t even see you coming,” she murmured. “Oh, how I hope I live to see you turn his world upside down.”
Kyla bared her teeth, and I winced. If it were up to her, Hannah wouldn’t live to see her next sunrise. I cleared my throat.
“It’s been a long day. What is it that you wanted to tell me, Hannah?”
She sat back in her chair, and her eyes went cloudy as she gazed at me.
“I had a vision. You will attempt to visit the merfolk.”
“Yes. Can you tell me anything that will help?”
“The dagger on your hip will be useful. You will be tempted to leave it behind. A little saltwater will do it no harm, and you will need it for what you face in the dark depths.”
I shuddered at the thought of those dark depths. But if Misty could help me stay alive, I’d take it. The griffin nudged my hand, a silent show of support.
Hannah smiled, inhaling my fear.
I ignored her. “I need you to look for someone for me. I’ll pay you.”
“You wish to know where Samael’s black witch is.”
I nodded. “Is she alive?”
“Yes. In order to find her location, I will need to search the veils.”
She shuffled away, returning a moment later with several crimson candles. Kyla stiffened a second before Hannah lit them with a wave of her hand, and I nodded at her. Yup, that was blood she scented.
Hannah murmured an incantation and closed her eyes, beginning to slowly rock.
From the look on Kyla’s face, she’d be comparing notes with Vas when she got back to her territory.
