“This is the best bakery in Aravell,” Reeve said, repeating Viri’s earlier words almost mockingly. “I’ve been coming here for years.”
“I thought I was being haunted by the ghost of his father,” Betty said with a tender look at Reeve. “Jude Ashton was always a sweetheart, so it’s no surprise that his son is, too.”
A sweetheart?Reeve?Clearly Betty was turning senile in her old age.
“Gracious, look at me, yabbering away.” Betty flapped her hands, sending flour everywhere. “Come in, come in. I’ve just made a fresh batch of custard tarts.” She beamed at Reeve. “Your favorite.”
“You’re an angel,” Reeve said, returning her smile. “You wouldn’t believe how bland prison food is. I’ve been hungry for a week.”
Viri’s eyes widened at what he’d just revealed, but Betty barely reacted.
“We can’t have that,” the old womantsked as she turned and hobbled back into her shop, gesturing for them to follow. “You’re a growing boy.”
Boywas hardly the word Viri would have used. Despite Reeve being only eighteen, there was nothing boyish about him—notthe way he looked, not the way he acted. And certainly not the way he killed innocents for his own gain.
The reminder sent a cold rush of reality over Viri, and she stomped into the bakery, jerking on her fillium to drag Reeve after her. There were plenty of wooden tables for them to choose from, all decorated with flowers and candles and doilies, making the inside of the store look almost as good as it smelled. But Viri didn’t appreciate it as much as she usually did, her focus narrowed on getting what she needed, then sending Reeve back where he belonged.
“Take a seat anywhere, honeybuns,” Betty invited as she shuffled behind the counter and toward the kitchen. “I’ll be right back with your treats.”
Viri dragged Reeve to the farthest corner of the room and sat opposite him, sliding the decorations aside so the only thing between them was her fillium extending across the table.
“Time for some answers,” she said without preamble. “I gave you what you wanted. Now it’s your turn.”
10
Reeve made himself comfortable, stretching his legs beneath the table and ignoring Viri’s kick when he encroached upon her space. “A deal’s a deal, Little Shadow. Where would you like to begin?”
“You can start by not calling me that,” Viri said. “Then continue by telling me what I’ve already asked countless times: Where’s the Reaper Priest?”
“Why don’t you ever use his real name?”
Viri’s vision turned red. “Because when he became the Reaper Priest, he forfeited his humanity, and therefore his right to have one.” She leaned forward and hissed, “And this isn’t your time for questions—it’s mine. So answer, or I’ll take you straight back to the Underlock.”
Reeve huffed out a laugh. “As if you’re not planning to do that anyway.”
Viri stilled, then forced the tension from her body. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“To be fair,” he continued, as if she hadn’t spoken, “I’d be disappointed if youdidn’thave some kind of double-cross in mind.You’ve earned a reputation for being a ruthless hunter, Viridia Solace. It’d be a shame to find out it wasn’t true.”
Before Viri could think of a response—or come up with a believable lie—Betty reappeared from the kitchen and placed a tray in front of them, loaded with enough cupcakes and cookies and custard tarts to feed a city. She left again, only to return moments later with a steaming teapot and two mugs painted with gold hearts, setting them down on the table with a flourish.
“A romantic feast for my two favorite people,” Betty said. “You cuties enjoy your date.” She sighed wistfully. “Oh, to be young and in love.”
Viri made a strangled sound. “No—That’s not—We’renot—”
But Betty was already hobbling away, disappearing into the kitchen once more.
“We’ll be sure to invite her to the wedding,” Reeve said, lips twitching as he poured their tea. “If we ask nicely, maybe she’ll make the cake.”
Viri scowled. “Stop laughing. This isn’t funny.”
“I’m not laughing.”
“Your eyes are.”
“Myeyes?”
“Just—ugh! Never mind.” She snatched up one of the custard tarts and bit angrily into it, but her pique dissolved instantly as a rush of sweetened vanilla flooded her senses.
