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“Sterling.” Lily hardened her voice to keep him serious. He looked to her, crossed his arms, then leaned on the counter, waving his hand for her to begin. “I’ve promised Aarin access to Zaitrerin in exchange for his help in Gridian.”

Sterling didn’t miss a beat. “I had a feeling that might be requested.”

“I’m demanding it,” Lily clarified. “Tack it onto my debts if you need to, but he will have sanctuary in Zaitrerin with the girl. They both—”

“I don’t need a speech. Access granted.”

“Oh…” Lily’s stature fell a hair. She righted herself and folded her arms. “Good.”

Sterling placed a hand on his chest. “I’ll even sweeten it for you. I’ll sponsor him myself. No need to bog yourself down with more responsibility.”

“That’s, um… perfect. Thank you.”

Sterling’s grin returned. “How can I ignore a kindred spirit going out of his way to help our young Wraith.” He turned his back to grab an apple, and Lily glanced at Aarin who returned her look with a pointed one. “I can provide him with the same amenities as Gwyneth in the center of the city so long as he finds work.”

“Actually, Sterling.” Lily bit her lip. “That girl isn’t Gwyneth.”

She told him what happened—what led up to it and the aftermath. While she spoke, Sterling’s slate blue eyes widened as she tried to graze over how she managed to save Aarin’s life. When she finished with her story, he tilted his head. “Pretty lucky he was able to walk out of there with a gunshot wound that severe. Praise the sun for that.”

“Praise the sun,” Lily echoed quietly. Luckily, Aarin kept his mouth shut.

She kept that part of the recount vague for a reason. Sterling wasn’t stupid. He understood—and had probably seen—what resulted from a wound like that. It wasn’t something anyone could stave off without a surgeon on standby or some kind of godly intervention.

So of course that was the part of her tale he was going to cling to—making sure Lily was using the Wraith within the strict guidelines implemented by Amalia and Minerva. That meant not diverting the path of an established aura and letting the Wraith’s influence serve its purpose for Eizreth.

If they had it their way, she would’ve killed him like she did Gwyneth. She would’ve given him no choice but to die there.

Sterling brought a finger to his chin. Thankfully, he spared her further questions about it in front of an audience. “I can get her back to Zaitrerin, but that’s all I can do.”

“Where will she go?”

“Where all refugees start.”

“Near the cove?” Sterling nodded, and Lily shook her head. “That’s where she was trafficked from. She needs somewhere safer. More… restricted.”

“Does she have any family? Friends?”

“I don’t know. She never told me.”

“Hm. I can look, but I can’t promise anything. Without any ties to Zaitrerin or a sponsor, she’ll return like any other refugee.”

Though the news was good, Lily was still frustrated. The very least she could do after dragging her to hell and back was give her a comfortable life in Tyrsia. “She deserves something better. Somewhere it’s not so easy to sell her out.”

“I can keep an eye on her,” Aarin said.

“See? It’ll be different this time.” Sterling came to her side to move her away from Aarin, speaking quietly, but sincerely. “You can’t give everyone everything. Don’t forget your attention needs to go to Luka. He’s the priority, isn’t he?”

She dropped her gaze low and nodded.

“It’ll take time, but she has a chance. You did your part, and you have to move on. Now, let me divert your attention elsewhere. Also unpleasant but a different topic.”

Sterling attempted to lead Lily back to the sitting room, but Lily slowed, glancing over her shoulder to Aarin. “I’ll be right there.”

Sterling assessed her for a moment but nodded and left. Lily turned back to Aarin and sat in the stool across from him

“What’s with the sudden generosity?” Lily hissed under her breath. “You had every opportunity to drag me across glass just now.”

“Sudden? Think I’ve been mighty fuckin’ generous since your snake pinned me in that alley.”