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And I was starting to think he did.

Ivan tugged at my hand, hissing at me to stop. I glanced down at him, and for a moment, the bravado faded. He looked scared. Not of Zhenjun—of me. Of losing me.

I knew he wanted me around. I knew Angel would be lost without me. But I was done being yanked around by the strings of my own existence—by Erlik, by the changeling, and now by Zhenjun.

I’d rather fade on my own terms than dance for someone else’s.

Beau rose and stepped around the table, planting himself between me and the Marshal. His smile was tight, but his voice was steel wrapped in silk, the pair of them a picture of the old biblical story of David and Goliath. “The decision is his.”

Okay, I liked this guy. Maybe he would be good for my little brother.

Zhenjun’s gaze flicked to him, dismissive. “Your interference is not required, Root-keeper.”

“He made a choice.” Beau didn’t move. “You don’t get to override it just because you don’t like the answer.”

“He doesn’t have the authority⁠—”

“He does.” Beau’s voice cut through. “As all mortals do. As you once did. Just because you feel you made the wrong choice ages ago, doesn’t mean you get to decide for him.”

I blinked. Okay, maybe I liked him a lot.

I crossed my arms over my chest. “What he said. I’m not a tool. You don’t get to pick me up and put me down whenever it’s convenient.” I met Zhenjun’s glare with my own. “You want my help? Then I need specifics. Training. And honestly? A benefits package wouldn’t hurt.” I paused. “But more than that, I need you to see me as a person. Not a tool. Not a weapon. A person. Can you do that?”

Zhenjun glared at me, but a subtle set in his jaw told me he agreed. Resigned. Like he was already preparing for the day I’d be lost too.

Kevin chittered from his corner. For once, it sounded like agreement. Even Nox poked his nose out to growl at the Marshal.

25

JUDE

Zhenjun’s eyes narrowed to slits, silently glaring at the dirt-smudged witch.

I waited for him to smite me. He loomed instead.

Wait. Root-keeper, Zhenjun had called him. Beau had called himself that, hadn’t he? What was that about?

“Sit.” Beau’s voice cut through the tension. “I’ll bring food. We’ll discuss real solutions rather than standing around raging about the chaos unmaking reality.” His gaze swept the room, pinning me with a pointed stare, then returning to Zhenjun. “That means everyone.”

Silence weighed heavy for a long heartbeat. I gave a nod and sat down beside my brother, turning my back on Zhenjun.

Zhenjun acknowledged Beau with a sharp nod, his jaw tight enough that I was certain he was grinding his molars to dust. Beau picked up the empty tray and headed into the kitchen.

I had to admit my interest was piqued. If Beau could make someone like Zhenjun hesitate, he could teach Ivan to protect himself. But that also meant he was trouble, right?

Probably.

Kevin retreated to Beau’s empty cushion, eyes tracking Zhenjun’s movements with wary alertness. Nox glared at the raccoon, caught somewhere between curiosity and horror. I wondered what Angel would think of all this, and I missed having him at my side right that minute.

I shoved the thought aside. Sadness was a luxury I couldn’t afford right now. Nox nuzzled my cheek, a reminder he was still here. I remembered how I’d woven his fate to mine and Angel’s. Did that mean he’d survive when I finally vanished into the ether? Tethered to the worlds by his bond to Angel? Maybe it could save them both. Or maybe I was just trying to play god again. Because apparently, I never learned.

I sighed and picked up a pastry, passing it to Nox instead of eating it myself.

“Can you find your way back to Angel? Let him know we’re okay?” I asked Nox. The last thing I needed was Angel tearing through our careful patchwork of relationships and magic to find me in this strange place between.

The cottage itself felt more solid, more alive, than even Zhenjun’s stone citadel. I had questions. Lots of them. But I also needed to set boundaries if I hoped to last through whatever remained of my existence.

I stared at my little brother, hoping that for whatever time I had left, I could show him what it looked like to be the “adultier” adult.