Fair enough.
“You did the right thing,” she says. “Getting mixed up with a vampire who takes holiday in the hells isn’t something you need.”
I laugh, nodding.
“You’re right,” I say with a smile and she grins. “But I hope these archives have what I’m looking for. I don’t know how else to reach Ylara if not.”
“Do you think she’s in league with Vaelyn?”
I pause.
And heave a sigh as I shrug.
“I want to say no,” I answer, mulling the question in my head. “But if she isn’t, that leaves her Unhoused. And this is a less than ideal time to be Unhoused.”
“Because of the Dark Hunt?” Eve asks.
I nod. “She and Vaelyn rarely agree upon anything and she made it clear in the days before my escape, she wanted the same.”
“Another demon in the living realm?” she laughs, surprised. “Not sure we could handle that.”
A soft smile curls my lips as I turn back to the fire. “Ylara’s more suited for the living realm than I am. She wouldn’t need lessons—she already knows all about the histories, practices, psychology. She’s always had interest in mortals—people.” I correct myself.
No, were Ylara ever to escape the hells, her transition into this realm would be seamless—as long as she can keep her demonic urges under control. She’d make a home in the shadows, watching, learning, vanishing before anyone knew she was ever there.
“Eve…” I trail off, my eyes narrowing as I stare blankly at the fire, recalling yesterday. Again. “I realize things were chaotic, but did I see youferry?”
A small string of stammers stem from the fae beside me.
“Cyran teach you?” I ask, interpreting the noise as her answer.
She silences herself, forcing me to turn and meet her stare once again.
“No,” she answers. “Your fae did.”
“Ryc?” The surprise in my voice is abundant.
She nods. “He taught me how to ferry, I taught him m—” she stops herself, shaking her head, “Told him about my time with Tiarsus.”
My eyes narrow once again as I hold her gaze. EvenIdon’t know much about her time with the Guild of Night. It’s not something I’ve ever asked her to share. I figured she would when she wanted to.
“Should I be worried?” I ask,choosingto ignore the sinking feeling she’s not being honest. “First compliments. ThenRyc—you’re calling him by his name. Now bartering? Are you spending too much time with a demon?”
A gentle knock upon the door causes Eve’s jaw to clamp shut. Her witty retort at the ready, silenced.
Cyran enters as Eve peers over her shoulder.
“Morn, Lady Ves,” he says with a small dip of his head, closing the door. “Lady Eve.”
“Despite yesterday’s tragedy, I’m still upset with you Captain Stargarden,” Eve replies, turning back to me.
Cyran cracks a tiny smile as he approaches. “If this is about your hair, may I propose cutting the rest of it to match?”
I reel back as Eve’s head whips around, narrowly avoiding her swinging braids.
“Thereisa personality under all that armor,” she shoots back, laughing. “I’ll be damned.”
“You being damned has nothing to do with my personality. Perceived or otherwise.”
