“Gods forbid I try to thank you for giving a shit that I was about to die.”
Beatriz pulled a hat out of her coat pocket and slammed it over Elysia’s head, pulling it down so far she could barely see. “Shut up, Elysia. We’ve got business.”
And with that, she stuck her arm through Elysia’s elbow and glared at anyone who came within five feet as she marched them through the late-night fog-ridden streets. Soon enough, they were clomping onto Spirit Street, both flinching at the smell.
“At least no one will care if they do see me over here.”
Beatriz grunted in agreement, but still slapped at Elysia’s hat, forcing her face down. “No one likes a narc, but keep your head down, will you? Stop being so stupid all the time.”
Elysia’s gaze flicked dangerously to her sister’s. Taking a breath, she reminded herself that wrestling Beatriz in the middle of the street wouldn’t help with not being noticed. Silently, she stuck out a foot, smiling as Beatriz almost ate shit on the vomit- and piss-scented street.
“Oops.”
Beatriz righted herself with a glare. “Be nice to me or I’ll slip something in your drink, and you’ll wish you had stayed in the death realm.”
Elysia drew back, sniffing. “You wouldn’t.”
Beatriz threw open the door to the Salty Rim,sauntering in like it was a palace instead of the shittiest dive bar you could find this side of Relaclave. Slamming the door shut with a backward kick of her booted foot, Triz turned to Elysia. “The woman does realize that the name of her bar is disgusting, right?”
Elysia’s brow quirked as she looked around the empty bar. Must have been near closing time. Beatriz just cocked her head and waited for it to click.
“Oh my gods. You aredisgusting.Don’t you dare say that to Jessa.”
“Say what to Jessa, dead girl?”
Elysia’s gaze shot over to the owner of the Salty Rim, who stood staunchly behind the bar. A rugged beauty with a bite like a snake, Jessa wasn’t someone Elysia enjoyed pissing off.
“Donotcall me that. I called Aidan ‘dead boy,’” she grumbled.
Beatriz plonked onto a bar stool and grabbed the drink that was clearly Jessa’s. Swallowing a mouthful of gin, she considered the nickname. “Dead girl. Death’s bitch. There’s potential there.”
Elysia took a seat while staring daggers at them both. Why in all the realms did she come to see these two? She was likely to be fed to whatever demons Aidan kept for defying his orders, and what did she get out of it? These two idiots.
Jessa stared at the dog pawing at Elysia’s leg. “I’ve told the prince and I’ll tell you—there are noanimalsallowed in this godsdamned bar.”
Elysia threw up her hands. “She’s Aidan’s. If you can get rid of her, then be my guest. Also, how is Larky?” Guilt rose in her. She wished she could take her cat to the death realm, but that wasn’t fair. It was better for Larkspur to live with Jessa now.
“Good. He’s gotten fatter. Sits in the window all day and cops an attitude like you wouldn’t believe about his breakfast.”
Beatriz grabbed the bottle of Sap and poured out three healthy glasses. “You really are this death god’s bitch. Babysitting his dog and everything.”
Elysia rubbed her temples, but Beatriz pressed an icy cold finger to her lips to shush her. “You almost gotyour head chopped off, cracked out into thin air, and now you’re here, right as rain and on dog duty. Explain.”
She choked down a little gin, knowing it was going to hurt to say aloud. Telling these two would be the grimmest form of reality check. Gripping her drink, she forced it out. “I met with the priestesses of the Bone Temple in Ryspur tonight. There were some unmentioned details to the deal.”
Her mouth thinned as she paused, and Beatriz motioned for her to elaborate.
“Historically, the god of the dead is required to have a mortal co-ruler…who becomes immortal. There’s thisdeath voyagewhere you earn the talisman. I guess the fates are involved.”
She took a much larger swallow of gin, carefully watching their faces to see if they thought she was insane yet.
Jessa surprised her, laughing so hard she snorted and choked. “Oh, that’s amazing. At least you thought he was hot, right?”
Glaring, Elysia bit down on the inside of her cheek. “It’s not funny.”
Beatriz whipped out a handkerchief, rolled it up, and tied it off in a circle. Dropping it onto Elysia’s head with a flourish, she dipped her chin mockingly. “Once a throne hunter, always a throne hunter.”
Throwing the handkerchief aside, Elysia shoved a hand into her hair, frustration hardening her words. “I’m in over my head. I have no idea how toearnor find the talisman, and I don’t want to be agod.”
