She was seated at the writing desk near her window, wearing the blue silk she seemed to favor. She'd removed the outer layer and rolled up her sleeves, revealing forearms marked with scars from her thief days. Papers were spread before her. Court records she'd requested. She'd been studying protocols and power structures, making notes about hierarchies and precedents.
"Working late?" he asked.
"Working early." She glanced toward the window where eternaltwilight cast its usual ambiguous light. "I'm not sure I'll ever get used to the lack of sunrise here."
"Few mortals do." He stopped a distance away, maintaining the space he always kept between himself and others. His shadows curled restlessly at his feet, and he forced them still. "I need you to attend a meeting with me today."
Her eyebrows rose. "What kind of meeting?"
"The emergency council Caelum requested."
She set down her pen and turned to face him fully. The movement drew his attention to the hollow of her throat, where her pulse beat steadily—no fear response. After days in his domain, she still showed no terror.
"And you want me there because...?"
"Because the tools responded to you in ways they shouldn't have,” he said, shadows shifting against his will.
"Where's the meeting?"
"The Bone Temple. Neutral ground."
"I see." She was quiet for a moment, her expression thoughtful. "What should I expect from the other Death Lords?"
The question was practical. She was already thinking like someone who belonged in his world rather than someone trapped in it.
"Caelum will appear reasonable and concerned. He usually is." Dante's voice flattened. "His domain values peace and comfort above all else. Don't trust the compassion. It serves his interests first."
She nodded, filing away the warning.
"Seraphina values strength. She'll respect you if you show spine." His shadows darkened. "But she'll eat you alive if she smells weakness."
"And the other two?"
"Vex sees everything through obsession and desire. He'll try to read what you want most and use it against you." Dante's jaw tightened. "Don't let him get close enough to touch you."
His shadows shifted restlessly at the thought.
"Thessa knows things," he continued, forcing his voice level. "Things that haven't happened yet, things that should be forgotten. Don't trust anything she tells you, but don't dismiss it either."
Her expression sharpened as she absorbed each warning.
"Any particular reason they might see me as a threat?"
"You're mortal in a realm of immortals. You've survived days in my domain when most tributes don't last one." He paused, considering how much to reveal. "And you're under my protection. That alone will make them curious."
"Curious how?"
"The Reaper doesn't protect people." His voice went cold. "The Reaper kills them. My reputation doesn't include mercy."
She studied his face with that unflinching stare that made his shadows restless. "But you do show mercy. I'm still alive."
"You're still alive because you're useful."
The words came out harsher than intended, but he didn't soften them. Better she understand the terms clearly.
She was quiet for a moment, then nodded once. "I understand."
"Be ready in twenty minutes," he said, then turned and left before his shadows could betray anything else.
