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Keir’s features softened. “I do not deserve such faithful friends.”

“Do not say such idiotic things. No one deserves them more.” I shifted forward, gaze once more focused on the eggs. “Now, we need to act soon. I understand your desire for caution and even agree with it. However, we do know about the eggs now, and keeping them away from their kind any longer than necessary escalates the danger.”

“Agreed.” Keir stood and walked to a nearby side table. Grabbing an electronic tablet, he settled back into his chair. His head snapped up, eyes full of apology. “Forgive me. I didn’t offer you any tea.”

My heart truly ached for Keir. “It’s fine. I’m perfectly capable of fetching my own cup. Now, what have you found?”

With a quiet nod, Keir woke up his device, pressed a few buttons and then passed the device to me. “I’ve narrowed it down to two options.”

The names staring back at me meant nothing. “Lazarus Azure and Verona Perez.” I cocked my head to the side and asked, “Any particular reason you’ve settled on these names?”

Keir’s complexion held a touch of green. “No other reason than both currently live in the Americas. Verona lives in Central America and Lazarus about two hundred miles north of us. Other than that, I can find little to no information on either one beyond the fact that both are obscenely wealthy and have a great deal of power and influence. You would think that would make finding information on them easier. I assure you, it does not.”

I handed the tablet back. “Wyvern are notoriously private individuals. They aren’t like social pixies. They do not crave the limelight and steer clear of social media.”

“True enough.”

“Do you have a gut reaction toward either one?” Sometimes, when there wasn’t a lot for our brains to latch onto, our gut was all we had.

“Not in so many words. Most likely I will reach out to Mr. Azure if only because he is closer.” Keir rubbed his forehead, a frown tugging his lips. “In other unpleasant phone call news…I reached out to Peaches.”

“And what did Helios’s current master have to say?”

“Surprisingly, he was already aware and was on the verge of contacting the council when I called him. It seems Helios told on himself.” Keir’s eyebrows drifted upward. “I’m not certain that’s the correct phrasing because I don’t think Helios necessarily believes what he did was wrong per se…but he doubted his actions enough to inquire about them. We have Grayson’s quick thinking and actions to thank for that kindness.”

My chest warmed at hearing Grayson’s name, that little piece of his magic I held flipping wildly at the sound of such praise. “Not going to lie, his actions frightened me. I…” I wasn’t sure how to end that sentence.

Keir’s lips tilted up in a hint of a smile. “They frightened me too, although I suspicion for entirely different reasons.” Thankfully, Keir ignored my flushed cheeks. “Peaches was very apologetic and repeatedly informed me he’d spoken with Helios. Evidently, Aurelia did as well, although I got the impression that conversation was a bit…different than the one Peaches had with him. I also got the impression we’re not done with the djinn.”

A deep chasm opened inside my core. “What does that mean?”

Keir’s sigh was long and full of regret. “It means that Helios is even more curious about us—Jima in particular—than before. I do not believe there will be a repeat of what happened yesterday, at least not the way it happened. It seems Grayson’s comment regarding treasure having more meaning when it is earned than stolen has become stuck in Helios’s mind. I imagine that has both good and bad connotations.”

Morally, I didn’t like where my thoughts wandered. I hated the question they brought even more. “Could you… I mean, technically, Peaches is Helios’s master.” I swallowed hard, the ache in my throat migrating to my chest. “Gaia, I can’t believe I’m asking this, but could Peaches wish Helios not to come here, or at least leave Jima alone?” Shame filled me and I couldn’t meet Keir’s gaze, let alone hold it.

The ensuing silence felt like censure. I should have known Keir better than that. “You’re not as alone as you believe regarding your thinking,” Keir answered, tone soft.

“No, but I’m probably the only one who said it.”

“Actually, you’re not.” My head jerked up. Keir scoffed. “Don’t look so surprised. It’s always difficult to hold onto one’s morals when truly challenged. And make no mistake, this situation is definitely challenging.” Keir sank lower into his chair. “Peaches and I discussed it. To be fair, it was more me discussing it than Peaches. I never knew nature pixies could be so stubborn.” Keir’s words were tempered by the warm smile tilting his lips. “Frost told me Peaches was formidable. I should have listened.” With a deep inhale, Keir’s eyelids slid closed before opening to half-mast. “Peaches refused, and although I’m still very concerned, I have to admit I agree with his reasoning.”

“Which was?”

“Djinn are sentient creatures and deserve the right to make their own decisions.”

My limbs vibrated with uncertainty. “That’s all well and good, but they’re not benign entities.”

“Neither are you or me.”

I scoffed, nearly pushing out of my seat. “You’re comparing a stick of dynamite to an atomic bomb.” In my case, maybe a single bullet.

The lines around Keir’s eyes softened. “A fair comparison, except those are mindless objects. Although ancient, djinn are akin to children. In many ways, they’ve been kept sheltered within their objects of attachment. None of us know what kind of individuals they were before they were hollowed out and packed full of magic, their souls stripped and holding them captive. Some would say that what Helios attempted to do to Jima was unforgivable. In the end, it will be up to Jima and no one else to determine whether that is true or not. I will not judge Jima either way. Thankfully, Helios listened to reason. He was able to understand Grayson’s argument. Peaches is right. The djinn deserve a chance, and continuing to treat them as if they are little more than magical slaves will only breed more anger and contempt.”

“And if, when given a choice, the djinn chooses violence?”

Keir inhaled deeply. “Then we will be forced to make a different decision. Let us hope it does not come to that.”

I stared at my hands, surprised they were humanoid and not tipped in branches and leaves. “Is Necromancer Boone aware of what happened?” To my knowledge, Erasmus Boone was the only individual alive that could potentially defeat a djinn.