She didn’t have to worry about defending herself or her project when Kalypso stiffened next to her. “And what’s more important than the arts?”
Rosalind had threatened many demons during her time in Heck, mostly consisting of utter financial ruin and social humiliation. But never had her tone suggested that disagreeing would result in literal and immediate evisceration like Kalypso’s voice promised.
Dolgeraus, however, was undeterred, gesturing toward the large woman with his wineglass. “The guard, obviously. The very thingyou’resupposed to be petitioning for. After the uptick in monster attacks and their proximity to Heck, it’s imperative that additional funding be allocated to our warriors. Just yesterday, a human was attacked and our warriors risked their lives stepping off the carved ways, not to mention the damage to armor and weapons that must be replaced.”
Brioni was doing fine, though. And from what Rosalind had gathered of the situation, it was Kalypsowho had cleverly defeated the monster to save the other human, not just the other warriors. That alone deserved respect she guessed Dolgeraus would not extend toward her.
Rosalind suspected she had been dragged into something bigger than budget constraints as the pair exchanged barbs that rivaled the spikes on Ozirax’s body. But try as she might, Rose could not locate the demon so he could provide some sort of buffer. At this point, she would even welcome a physical fight as a distraction.
Instead, Kalypso was being ushered away for a dance and Rosalind was left helpless in Tarzul’s company. She half expected the demon to simply walk away without another word. The other half waited for?—
“Don’t bother with the proposal.”
There it was.
She turned back to him slowly. “Pardon?”
The blue demon set his wine aside and made a show of adjusting his jacket so he wouldn’t have to look at her. “No one takes your silly little department seriously, let alone some human coming in and telling us how to manage our money. We were doing fine before you lot arrived.”
“Except you weren’t.” The words didn’t surprise her, only the fact that she’d spoken them aloud. Perhaps Kalypso really had left an impression on her. Emboldened, Rose continued. “You might have dismissed my comments the other day, but don’t think I didn’t notice that my suggestions were all implemented.”
Some of which she’d done herself, but others had alreadybeen handled by someone in the financial offices. She doubted it was Tarzul himself, but likely under his direction.
“Would you like an award for doing your very basic and worthless job?” the Horn spat, dark blue creeping up his collar as he glared at her. “Will you waste more time and money on a fundraiser where nobles instead choose to donate to the system that will protect them? No one cares about a water feature in a forgotten district.”
“Why are you so against seeing every part of your city thrive? It’s not because I’m human. You were originally the leading opposition for further funding in that space, and that wasn’t even your department.”
Tarzul roughly tugged at his sleeves, tail stiff behind him. “The other councilors will laugh you out of the room if you attempt this proposal. I suggest you give up now and stop putting your weak little nose where it shouldn’t be.”
The Horn of Finance stormed off.
But it was too late, and Rosalind knewexactlywhat final touch she was going to add to her proposal.
She was going to need some help.
17
YES, LOVE IS A REAL INGREDIENT
Lazerath
“Dav, Dav, Dav,” Lazerath panted, using his tail for balance as he propelled himself around the corner and into the kitchen. He smacked into the gray demon who nearly dropped the stack of boxes in his hands.
“Fuck, Laz, slow down,” Davarox warned, tilting his head around his load. “What is it?”
Laz held up a finger, more out of breath than he’d planned after sprinting into the back. “Hold—hold on.”
He bent over, bracing himself on his knees as he tried to get enough air. “I saw—saw Ozirax.”
There was a groan, then Dav set the boxes aside. Moments later, a glass of water was shoved at Lazerath. “Drink.”
He chugged the water, thankful that it eased the burningin his throat. When he glanced back at his friend, Davarox had a tiny smile twitching at the corner of his mouth.
Laz felt a little proud at that gesture considering Dav had been so stressed the last few days—even more than what catering this fundraiser would have produced. Maybe it had something to do with making sure they did a good job so Rosalind would be praised for her work as well.
Laz didn’t quite understand the fear. He was confident in Lovable Loaf, in Dav, and especially in Rose. This night couldn’t have been anywhere close to successful without them. Laz hadn’t even knocked over a table of scones or wine once.
“Were you going to tell me something about Ozirax? He didn’t spike someone again, did he?”
