“Oh my gods. Maybe!”
Riven stares at them, then at me. A warped band rolls over his face.
“You should know you’re housing a pair of addicts,” I say. “They want coffee.”
I can’t be sure, but I think his lips curl before he turns away. He points at an oscillating pitcher to his right. “It’s not a perfect match, but it’s not bad either.”
Luca doesn’t ask for permission or details. He jostles Ciprian out of the way, grabs a cup from the open-faced shelves, then pours the dark liquid with shaky hands. Steam curls up from his cup, filling the air with a rich, bitter scent. It’s not the same as coffee, but it’s close enough that I feel a flicker of hope that I’ll be able to get rid of the headache I’ve had for weeks.
“Is it caffeinated?” I ask. The taste of coffee isn’t something I crave, but I’m a big fan of its active ingredient.
“I’m not entirely sure,” Riven says. “It comes from the forest, and it provides an energy boost. I wouldn’t drink too?—”
Luca moans. The sound is filthy. With both hands wrapped around his mug, he drinks in slow, deep gulps, his Adam’s apple bobbing with each swallow.
“Indecent,” Ali says, taking the pitcher from Luca and pouring three more cups before turning to Malach. “Any for you?”
He shakes his head. “Not unless it tastes like Frosted Flakes.”
Ciprian grins. “That’s milk, man.”
Malach frowns. “Milk is the vehicle. The magic is in the?—”
“Sugar.” I bump my hip against his. “Malach’s always had a sweet tooth.”
He wraps one wing around me, and I lean my head against his shoulder. He’s been quiet, almost out of it since last night. I need to check on him, but I know Malach would rather talk without an audience. Privacy has become a luxury we can’t afford.
I’ll have to get creative.
A small, scaly bird flies in front of the window. It lands on an even smaller rock shelf, balancing on long, twig-thin legs. A yellow stripe runs down its back. The color is as vivid as a ripe banana and balloons into an orange starburst on the sides.
I smile as the bird lifts one leg and rubs it against the other, then wince when the sound of a woman screaming pierces the thick glass wall. “How did something so small make a sound that loud?”
Riven glances out the window. “That’s a reesh. Their legs are covered in hair-thin spikes.” He points at the bird, and now that he’s mentioned it, I notice light passing through the wispy spikes. “They rub their legs together to scare predators away.”
A louder roar echoes off the mountain’s face. It’s deep and hollow, and my hair stands on end. The reesh flies away, and Malach’s wing quivers against my upper arm.
“They’re searching for you,” Riven says quietly.
“Where?” I roll my shoulders back, determined to stay calm no matter what.
River returns his attention to the bowl of batter and sighs. “Everywhere.”
TWENTY-NINE
Monster Realm Survival Tip #24:
Staying out of the way is the easiest way to live another day.
RIVEN
The pancakes are cold and rubbery before Celine’s fork makes a single trip to her mouth. Her brown eyes are far away, focused on nothing as her mind transports her somewhere else. Somewhere far away from this realm and far away from me.
“They won’t find us here,” I say.
She glances at me. “Celestial magic operates on a different frequency than witch magic. Your wards won’t work against angelic runes.”
That’s what she’s worried about.I lift my chin. “Magic or no magic, my home isn’t accessible by normal means. And it’s invisible.”
