Of course, all of it’s for naught if the information Lilith shares is utterly useless. Without a contract, I can’t ensure it won’t be.
Sighing, Lilith folds her arms on the table.
“Lilith, I’d like to remind you, contract or not, you’re considering bartering with a demon,” Eve says, her tone edging on patronizing.
“Half demon,” Lilith corrects, lifting a pointed finger. “Let’s not forget she’s half fae.”
Eve shoots her a flat, unamused glare. “Because that makes it better.”
Ignoring her Lilith says, “If youpromiseto read through this,” she givesThe Joininga couple quick taps with a finger, “I’ll answer all your questions regarding the council and the Sovereign Kings.”
Eve sighs the mother of all sighs as she lets her head fall against the back of the chair, turning her stare to the ceiling. Like me, she sees it. She sees Lilith’s terms are less than explicit.
Without giving Lilith time to reconsider, I say, “Consider the deal struck.”
I’m a demon who’s good for her word.
Snatching a leather-bound notebook I co-opted from Ryc’s study weeks ago from the far corner of the table behind me, I turn back to Lilith, snagging a pen from beside her as I fall back into my seat. Her brows raise as I flip through the first half of the book, pages of thoughts and notes on what little I’ve found on Celesta scribbled inside. They’re all in Malbolge of course. Writing in common tongue takes longer.
“Notes?” Lilith asks, sounding both surprised and insulted. “You’re willing to take notes now?”
I level a particularly flat glare in her direction as I curl a leg over the other, pitching the notebook against my thigh—ready to write.
“I’m quite studious on topics of interest, Lilith,” I counter and she shakes her head with a small laugh.
Eve, with a smirk, says, “Not interested in fae culture, but interested in fae gossip.”
She earns the same flat stare and her smirk broadens into a grin.
“Start with Ganus,” I say, choosing to ignore her as I set pen to page. “Sovereign King of Battalia, mindreading innate… mated?”
“Yes,” Lilith answers. “Her name is Sophira.”
“How do I distinguish Ganus in a crowd?” I ask. “Hair color, eye color? Any notable physical qualities like scars?”
While I’ve met all the Sovereign Kings before, recalling the appearance of each is rather muddied in my mind. At the time, I felt it a waste to focus on committing each to memory. It didn’t serve me to care.
Now… I have reason.
“Well, it’s been some time since I’ve seen him, but dark haired, violet eyes. Nothing otherwise notable.” Her brows crease before they shoot high. “Oh, he’ll likely be wearing violet, the Lightblossom family color.”
As I finish writing the last of the line, I lift my chin, meeting Lilith’s stare. “And personality, temperament? Anything I can exploit?”
She blinks a few times as astonishment crosses her features and she scoffs a soft laugh.
“I admit, openly discussing things toexploitis somewhat unnerving,” she says, muting the bewilderment in her tone. “I’m afraid to see how the hells’ court functions.”
“Worse than you can imagine,” I retort, tapping the end of the pen against the corner of the book. “Is he quick to anger?”
“No.”
“Know of any vices?”
“No.”
Perhaps I’m getting the sore end of our agreement after all.
“He’s unafraid of confrontation,” Lilith offers, likely to appeasethe scowl I surely wear. “He and Thalion often argued. Thalion thrived in gray, Ganus adheres to black and white.”
