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The spirit’s smile was unnerving. Up close, Oleander saw that each of her pointed teeth was as large as his own head. A glowing white eye blinked in the centre of her forehead, appearing as if it had been hidden until now. He found himself holding onto Zila again to calm his nerves.

“But what do you want?” she shouted at the spirit.

The spirit tilted her head as if considering the question. “There was a time when demonkind and I walked hand in hand. I made them. They were my creations, and I loved them. But when they reached for immortality, I knew it would corrupt them. It would twist them, drive them to madness until they tore themselves apart. But I let them. Because as much as I loved them, I also loved the chaos they created. It entertained me.” The spirit’s eyes narrowed with the memory. “But when the Devil bound my power... that was different. They trapped guests that I invited into my realm into forced servitude, made slaves of them. That I will not forgive.”

Perine’s voice trembled as she shouted again, “So you want to punish us?”

The Lady of the Lake paused, tipping her head thoughtfully before she finally said, “In a way.”

She groaned in exasperation. “Before we bargain, I need to know if you can break the magic of this rune on my back and help me hide from the Holy Circle.”

The spirit’s grin widened, sly and knowing. “I can do everything you ask and more.”

She hesitated. “And I’ll be safe from the Holy Circle? And the Grand Dukes?”

The spirit let out a booming cackle, the sound sizzling through the air like the fire that surrounded them. “On my power, on my bones, on my beating heart and soul, this I vow.”

Turning away from them, the spirit whispered gently to the flames she’d stepped from, as though they were sentient beings themselves. Perhaps they were.

She turned back to Oleander. “This bargain makes me nervous.”

He rubbed the back of his neck. “Just remember to word it exactly how we discussed and you’ll be fine.”

She turned towards the Lady of the Lake. “I’ve thought over your offer and... I’d like this: Break the rune on me. Help me hide from the Holy Circle, but let me stay as I am now—healthy and whole.”

The spirit nodded, her expression amiable. “I agree to your terms. But to be clear, you will likely never see your family again after this.”

Perine paused, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. “What do you want from me in return?”

The deity’s laugh was rich with secrets. “That is for me alone to know. But I vow to honour the bargain as you have made it—if you should accept.”

Perine pulled him to her, whispering in his ear, “Is there anything I forgot? I’ve been warned by you, Brennessel, the gorgons, Bonegrunde—even Namble!—to word this bargain precisely. Is there anything I should add?”

She bit her bottom lip, but before he could respond, Zila’s head snapped up. Perine’s eyes widened in alarm. “Somebody found our scent. The real one. ”

They gazed at each other as reality crashed over them, merciless and undeniable, leaving nowhere to hide from the fact that their reprieve was coming swiftly to an end.

“Wilder,” he said, voice catching in his throat. It felt to him as if her name held all of his favourite things, and he wished to always have it on the tip of his tongue.

She was looking at him so open, so tender, that he almost lost his nerve.

“Bind yourself to me?” His voice came out rough but earnest. “That way, no matter where you go, I can find you.”

She searched his face, saying nothing, as even as doubt, fear and then longing flickered across her own expressions. Even as well as he now knew her, his heart was thundering out of control—unsure what her answer would be.

“You want us to be bound together?”

Oleander reached out, brushing a curl from her face. “If I were ever to bind myself to someone, I think it’s inevitable it’d be you. The temporary soul bond was actually pleasant.”

Perine’s hand hovered over his bare chest, the heat from his skin warm under her touch. “If you bind your soul to me,” she whispered. “Then you’re bound to me forever.”

“Yes, that’s generally how the soul binding works.”

“No.” Her voice dropped, thick with emotion. “I mean, this could ruin your life.”

He pressed his forehead gently to hers. “Oh, it was ruined when we became research partners.”

Her breath caught, a sharp scoff escaping her lips. “Damn it, Brightmore. You can’t possibly want this.”