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“So we just take his word for it?” Kimi asks casually and tries to dribble the tape ball, which falls to the ground without bouncing.

“We’ve been takingyourword for it for years,” Mal points out with a shamefaced grimace.

That says a lot.

I bump into the fence, and Ben quickly turns to lift me in his arms and leap over it. He lands without issue, which I’m jealous about. I would have fallen. He doesn’t release me as he begins striding to the front door.

Mitri calls out to me as we depart. “I have more questions.”

As if I’m walking away on my own here? I lift my hands up and shrug.

“It’s time for bed, immortal,” Ben yells back.

Mal growls, his wings flaring threateningly.

“Pleasant dreams, Bae!” Kimi sings out mockingly.

Ben flips the bird as he steps past the doorway.

“Bad dog!” Kimi scolds indignantly as the door slams shut behind us.

02. The Other Side

Mal

The smoke creature somehow carries her inside and slams the door behind it. I hear the distinct click of not one but three locks.

The ward over his home is formidable, keeping out even his faery allies as they line up in front of the fence and regard us with distrust. Mitri ignores their glares to pace the fence line and test the ward for weaknesses.

“The Hag’s work,” he says and turns away to go back to his car. I’m not sure if he’s leaving or has another secret plan up his sleeve.

I’m staying here.

Kimi throws himself onto the ground and begins playing with a ball of duct tape with his back feet, utterly oblivious to the bombshells that just got dropped onto our heads.

It’s as if a binding cloth has been removed from my senses, returning me to a state that is familiar and foreign at the same time. I understand this is my usual reaction to stimulus. Still, it’s been so long that I no longer recognize myself.

I don’t bother wondering how long this spell or manipulation has lasted. It doesn’t matter. What matters is how I go on from here.

The vehicle starts, and Mitri drives away as I stand watching Kimi. I got used to his lack of conversation over the years we’ve worked together. I accept and trust that he knows what he is doing and his methods in getting it done. This is not a realm for weakness, and Mitri has none. It is also not a realm for menders, and I feel a vague unease about it.

Our team of agents is made up of individuals who slipped into service to look out for corrupt Delegates and found each other by chance. We’re the perfect people in place to keep her safe from their machinations.

If we can get it together, that is.

Now that I’m fully aware I can see the correlation between King’s experiences with the corrupt and Beatrice’s. I need him back with me to express my concerns.

If he even wants to come back to me anymore.

This attack on us. Have they figured out that none of us are as we seem?

The only way to know is to keep steady on my course.

My senses are sharp enough to make out a faint conversation between the two inside the house before they go to bed. The words are unintelligible but the sound of her, more relaxed and comfortable, soothes me.

The scent of her lingers in the air. I inhale deeply. Sharp citrus with hints of the thing’s vetiver, and light caramel cream notes blended together to make one person.

Beatrice. A female who healed me without hesitation, even though I attacked her not long ago. The fact shames and humbles me in equal measure.