Ramsey made to pull on his coat, but Beatriz leaned across the table.
“Any word?”
Pity lowered his voice. “No, ma’am. We’ve got everyone we can spare keeping their eyes and ears out all over the kingdom. There was a tip a couple hours away in Valka, so maybe that’s something. There are rumors too… About people crossing the borders and getting their magic back. Probably bullshit, but you never know.”
Beatriz’s jaw tightened, worry and stress sharpening her features. She leaned back, sliding down to the seat. “Right. Thanks, Ramsey.”
A quick handshake and both parties departed. The man headed to the front door and Beatriz cut over to a back exit. Elysia trailed behind her, no longer bothering to hide her steps.
Her sister leaned against the soot-covered plaster wall outside with her arms crossed, singing to the shadows. “Come out, come out, whoever you are.”
Elysia shook her head and bit back a grin. Her sister was the dumbest person alive. Pulling out her dagger, she twirled it as she stepped into the warm glow of the streetlamps. With a flick of her wrist, the dagger flew, slicing through the edge of her sister’s long wool coat.
Beatriz yelped and dove in the opposite direction, tumbling along the nasty cobblestones.
Elysia cocked her head innocently. “Beatriz! What are you doing on the ground?”
Scowling, Beatriz appeared murderous. “This was expensive!”
Elysia backtracked. “Oh, I’m sorry, is it MadamNightshadenow? Or is that just your drug market? I’m a little confused on the details.”
“You’re a fucking little shit, Elysia. Almost dying then disappearing.” Beatriz kicked a cloud of rocky soot in Elysia’s general direction. “I should kick your ass.”
Elysia held out a hand to her sister. “Missed you too, and I’d love to see you try.”
As if on cue, Crusher waltzed into the alley. All five pounds and some fur of her.
Elysia closed her eyes. “Fuckme,today is the worst. I thought I got rid of you.”
Crusher curled up by her feet, eyes moving between the sisters with interest.
She held up a palm before Triz could squawk her mouth. “Don’t. Just don’t.”
“It was a raccoon before, right? Was I high that day? I swear it was a fucking raccoon.” The skin between Beatriz’s brows creased as she evaluated her memories.
Elysia frowned. “Beatriz, you met the damn raccoon. Its name was Lina, remember? This is adog.Have you completely melted your brain?”
Triz stared at the dog, still unconvinced. Brushing off her hands, she gestured at the street. “Come on, let’s get you out of sight before we’re both beheaded in front of dear old Mother. It’d make Father far too happy to get rid of us both at once.”
Elysia grimaced and rubbed her neck.
“Too soon?”
“Way too soon.”
“You’re very precious about near-death experiences for someone who makes such stupid decisions all the time.”
Elysia looked at Beatriz incredulously. “As if you’re any better.”
“What are you even wearing right now?” Beatriz plucked at the heavy black robe draped around Elysia and tapped at the bones in her hair. “Are younakedunder there?”
“I am,” Elysia admitted, her mouth twitching. She really did look ridiculous.
They both smiled a little.
“I saw you try to get to the stage.”
Beatriz pulled up the collar of her coat, hunching her shoulders. “Don’t be gross.”
