“Shifting into women is more precarious. Most times, inexperienced Infi get it wrong.” A deep breath entered the Infi’s lungs, and his gaze lifted to Dorian’s.
Dorian resisted the urge to reach for his dagger and instead lifted his chin, head slightly tilting as he kept his eyes on the creature.
"You may call me Aja," the Infi said.
The name caught Dorian off guard. “I wasn't aware Infi had names," he said.
"Most do not," Aja replied. "Those chosen by our Kings do."
Dorian's eyes narrowed at the statement, but he decided not to press it. Too wary of any lies the Infi might tell him. He glanced around him again, noting the darkened mountains in the distance, the fast moving clouds over them that seemed to be thinning. Snow thunder rumbled a few peaks over.
It all made him uneasy, and yet he was sure his heart had never been calmer.
"Aja, we are here—“
"We know where your sister is," Aja cut him off. "Both of them."
Dorian's insides froze.
"He's lying," Corbin said behind him.
But Dorian ignored him.
The mere mention of his family sidetracked everything he'd come up there to do.
Aja knew it.
And Dorian wasn't sure he cared to hide it.
"What are you talking about?" he demanded to know.
Aja's lips quirked just noticeably, and his hands stretched over the sharp glass. Black blood dripped from the ends as it cut his skin.
"That's what you came here for, isn't it?" Aja asked. "The way to undo what happened to your family. Bring both your sisters back to safety."
Nausea turned Dorian's stomach. He nearly stumbled.
Both his sisters back.
He couldn't breathe.
Nyssa.
"What do you mean both?"
Aja pushed out of his seat. He glanced back at the great chair at the edge of the pillar as he strode slowly towards them, and then he met Dorian's gaze once more.
"It is a great throne," he said. "Sitting at the highest point of Haerland."
"Stop deflecting," Dorian interjected. "Tell me what you meant by both my sisters."
"Dorian, your older is dead," Corbin said behind him.
"Are you sure about that?" Aja asked.
Dorian had to force himself to stay on one spot. His heart jumped in his throat. But he knew better than to think the Infi would be offering him any information without something in exchange.
"What do you want?" Dorian asked.
