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Damn it, Pet. Not you, too.

—Aye, Maggie. We will feast on the bones of those who’ve wronged us⁠—

Magnus was outnumbered, apparently.

“Ach, alright. Calm yourself. What if he just mists away again?”

Lyriat released the rage with a huff and returned to his lesser form. “If he does, it will be an admission of guilt—one I will use relentlessly against him. However, I believe his curiosity will keep him here, considering I banished him from this realm on paper. Besides, he owes us and he knows it.”

With that, he tossed the marble into the portal and crossed his arms, waiting. Mag’s heart kicked up, the nervousness running like acid through his veins. He was being torn in two, somewhere between complete loyalty to his youngest brother and utter fucking fury over what he’d done.

That latter part was maybe Pet. It was hard to tell.

Thank the Sisters they didn’t have to wait long. Araxis stepped through the portal, took one look around, and released an explosive sigh.

“I’ll admit, I expected your summons much sooner than this.”

His brother looked slightly worse for wear, his shock of black hair mussed and dull compared to the shine of his obsidian fighting leathers. Mag homed in on the jeweled daggers at his waist, unsure which had been used to violate their brother and break an entire lifetime’s worth of unreserved trust.

“You said not to waste it,” Lyriat murmured. “My aims are bigger than your betrayal.”

Araxis pinched the bridge of his nose. “It wasn’t a betrayal.”

“No?” Magnus took a step towards his brother. “What was it then? Because you’ve got us twisted in knots. We deserve a fucking explanation.”

“Perhaps, but I can’t give you one. I am bound by things you do not understand.”

“Aye, of course.” Mag scoffed, shaking his head. “The Blessed Nightmare must keep up his mystery, after all. Wouldn’t want anyone finding out you don’t live up to your dark reputation.”

Araxis’s crystalline eyes flashed with something that seemed an awful lot like hurt. “You don’t know a damned⁠—”

“Enough!” Lyriat’s voice reverberated against the windows, the panes vibrating. “We have more important and time sensitive matters to discuss.”

“What have you called me for, if not an explanation?”

“I believe our previous deal is moot, wouldn’t you agree?”

Magnus practically heard Araxis’s teeth grinding together before he answered. “So be it.”

“Lovely.” Lyriat turned his back on them and strode to the dais, taking his place on the Dominion of Demons. As if to solidify his power and control of the situation, branches rose from the throne and caressed him—a threat. “Let’s make a new one, hmm?”

“I will hear it,” Araxis answered. “I make no promises otherwise.”

“I should think it obvious, but what I’m about to say doesn’t leave this room.” Lyriat waited for Magnus and Araxis to nod their agreement. “Good. Now, I will ignore the fact that you desecrated our friendship for reasons you refuse to disclose, as well as stooped to attempted kidnapping of one of my beloved citizens. Speaking of which, I will no longer try to convince Lunara of anything on your behalf, no matter how this goes. You made your own bed there. Lie in it.”

Lyriat drew Baldrir’s sword from behind the throne. “In return, you, Araxis, will assist me in a delicate matter.”

“Just how delicate are we talking?”

Lyriat raised a brow, then looked at Mag. “I need you to get us into Thodelebor, to a particular spot, without anyone noticing, including my own guards.”

Araxis narrowed his gaze, calculating. “When?”

“Starting right now, and then as many times as I deem necessary afterwards, until I find my cousins.”

“You’re asking me to violate ages-old Imperial decrees and individual realm laws—not once, but many times over—in return for absolutely nothing?”

Lyriat’s laugh was a mirthless rumble, his sharp canines flashing in the golden light shining down through the glass roof. “You’ve got balls big as boulders trying to bring laws and decrees into this. May I remind you that I am within my right to bring Starkeep crashing to the ground for what you did. Your precious floating city wouldn’t stand a chance against my true ire, Araxis. I chose to write a letter. I am, however, more than capable of changing my mind—especially after you tracked Lunara to Argoph and tried to snatch her without so much as a single fucking word.”