For it to malfunction? I expected she was right.
She gestured to the doors at the end of the hall. Sounds of the royals within trickled out. “Shall we?”
I lifted a shoulder, then felt her gaze on me as we walked side by side.
“You missed our meeting this morning,” she purred.
What meeting?Oh.“I was recovering.”
She lifted a shoulder in response.Not my problem.
True enough. “Tomorrow morning.” It really was in my interest to learn the ropes of how the royals were handled.
“I can make that work. But you used up another one.” She opened a door.
I frowned. “Another one of what?”
“One of your five favors from me. You have three left.”
We were really doing that? I entered in front of her. “Whatever.”
“And Syera?” Gratia had stopped by a group close to the door.
I grunted.
She smirked. “That trick with the purple was a work of art.”
I was a woman in need of a reminder she was badass tonight. A genuine smile graced my face. “One of my grandmother’s.”
The demon princess’s brows rose. “Your human grandmother?”
I rolled my eyes. “No, Gratia. My magus grandmother.”
“Same thing.” Her red eyes twinkled with humor.
She’d called my portaling into a demon trick a work of art, so I’d forgive her this once.
I set off in the direction of the thrones set in the back row of the stage seating. Huge crimson curtains hid the stage, and most were already in their seats.
My path forward was blocked.
“You killed my cousin,” Tygrio greeted.
I tilted my head. “She wasn’t prepared for battle.”
He was contemplative while searching my face. “How did you make a double of yourself? You fooled everyone. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“Would you like step-by-step instructions, Tygrio?” I asked.
The demon grinned. “Perhaps I don’t expect you to divulge the details.”
I walked forward, and he settled into step beside me.
“I didn’t expect you to still be alive,” I murmured.
“In some ways, neither did I.”
I cocked a brow his way. He was chasing death by taunting Carmine like this. “You may not be alive tomorrow, so I’ll take this chance to thank you for your advice about your cousin’s favorite tactic.”
