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She bowed her head. “I did. I can’t say I’m not relieved that you left him back at home.”

“I wouldn’t risk lives like that,” I rushed out. “The danger is too great.”

She nodded, not needing to press me further on what those risks where. She understood. “Then I imagine you are here for a reason, as my summons also suggests. Although Robin, do you need reminding that my services are no longer available for hire? Or did you simply want me to come for a catch-up, two friends chatting about life in the new world?”

I scoffed at that, eyeing up the half-drunk goblet of wine. “What good is the new world, if it’s all some big lie?”

Seraphine didn’t tell me I was wrong. “Friend.” She laid a hand on my knee, offering me some comfort. “You didn’t need to come all this way to accept my offer. A letter would’ve done–”

“That isnotwhy I’m here,” I snapped, before realising my mistake. The mere suggestion of what Seraphine had offered the last time I saw her, sent a bout of sickness across my gut.

She leaned back, lifting arms in surrender. “I didn’t mean to upset you, only remind you if you needed it.”

“No reminder required.” I shook my head, before burying my face in my hands. “Sorry. It’s been a long day. Fuck, it’s been a long few weeks. The days all blend into one at this point.”

One last squeeze of my knee and then Seraphine withdrew. “I understand. Go on then, you got me all the way here, what is it you want from me?”

“If I said friendly company, would you believe me?”

“No, I wouldn’t.” She rocked back, took my goblet of wine and finished it in a single gulp. “So, what is it?”

“A snake may shed its skin, but beneath, youarestill a snake,” I said, looking through my lashes at her.

“Ouch.” Seraphine’s face pinched into a scowl of disgust, confirming she knew exactly what topic I was dancing around.

“You know what I mean,” I added.

“Once an Asp, always an Asp. Is that what you’re trying to suggest?”

“Not exactly suggest,” I replied. “Hope, maybe.”

Seraphine sighed, as if she already expected this. “There is only one life I’m willing to take without payment, and you know whose that is.”

Duncan’s life. That had been her offer after what happened. She would kill Duncan, because I was far too weak to do it. My answer now, as it had been that day, was still the same. No. “I’m not that desperate.”

“Yet,” Seraphine added, as though I missed the word.

I took a deep breath in. “I need help finding someone, not killing them. Do you have it in you to come out of retirement for a task like that?”

She ran a gloved hand over her chin, mocking contemplation. “And the payment? Don’t think about offering me another place to live either, Robin. It seems your idea of home has weak foundations.”

She wasn’t wrong. I gave her and her Asps Imeria as a home, and it had come crumbling down on them. “Is saving the world sufficient compensation for your assistance?”

Dark horror flashed behind her eyes. I don’t think she realised she did it, but Seraphine lifted a hand and ran it down the side of her opposing arm. The last time I’d seen her, that very arm had been bandaged after the skin was flayed by Duncan’s lightning.

Lightning meant for me. If anything, I owed Seraphine so much more. She’d left Imeria, harbouring my secrets, with the ability to bring the wrath of the human and fey realms down upon me. Which I deserved. I’d led death to Seraphine’s new doorstep and killed the men and women she’d called family.

And being the sole survivor of a family was a hard burden to bear. I would know. Perhaps that was why we bonded so quickly. Seraphine and I recognised kinship in one another. Two lonely souls bound by secrets, forever cursed to wonder the world alone, even with people surrounding us.

“And who do you want me to find for you?” Seraphine asked after a moment of silence.

I took her ignoring my previous answer as an acceptance of my request. “Rafaela.”

There was no ignoring the furrow of Seraphine’s brow. “The Nephilim?”

I nodded. “She’s why I made the journey here. I need to speak to her.”

“And here I was thinking you came to celebrate your closest friend’s wedding.”