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Silence.

“Cori.” But he had a sinking feeling he knew the answer. “It’s me, isn’t it?”

She whirled, walking backward. “Just a conversation.”

“Oh, great,” he hissed. “That’ssoreassuring.”

Regret festered. Of course, she’d brought him here for this. Of course, she hadn’t warned him. That was the worst part—he wasn’t even surprised.

Why did he keep doing this to himself? Always following, never askingnearlyenough questions.

Maybe hewasa masochist…

“Look,” Cori sighed. “If there were another way, I would’ve taken it. We’re at a critical juncture in the Primary Timeline. I should not be taking you out of it. But I can’t kill him, and he’s outsmarted me every time I’ve tried to just take it.”

“Oh, well, now Ihaveto meet him,” Skye said dryly. “Here I thoughtyouwere the smartest person in the universe.”

That might’ve gotten him a glare with Taly, but Cori took it in stride. “He has to give it to me of his own free will, and that Shard-sucker is refusing because I’m the only person he’s spoken to ineons,and he doesn’t want me to stop visiting.”

“So promise you’ll visit!”

Her hand smacked her forehead. “Why didn’t I think of that?” Then she rolled her eyes. “This guy is a shadow mage—he can smell deceit like it’s cologne. And while, yes, I could tell him that I really value our friendship and the time we’ve spent together and that,yeah,we should really do this again sometime, what he’s going to hear is that as soon as that key is in my hand, I’m never stepping foot in that horror show of a tower ever again. Bloodcrafters are so…freaky.”

How did she do that? How did she take regret and turn it back into curiosity in an instant?

Skye had never actually met a bloodcrafter. Those who survived the Purge were all imprisoned at Gloomrend Gaol—for their safety as well as that of everyone else. They were all wholly mad.

They turned down another hallway. The temperature suddenly dropped like they’d passed some sort of threshold.

“Why me specifically?” His teeth were chattering, and he hugged his body for warmth. “Why did this…keeperwant to speak to me?”

“Well, you see, sometimes the threads of destiny weave themselves in fascinating ways, bringing together individuals at unique moments—”

“You’re not going to tell me. Got it. Is there some kind of rule that time mages can’t give straight answers?”

“Answers given freely may not always be what they seem.”

“Wow, you are justfullof bullshit.”

“I’ve had time to practice. Besides, we’re here. He can tell you himself.”

Cori stopped in front of a doorway that looked identical to every other they’d passed. There was nothing to tell it apart besides a bloody handprint streaked beneath it. As if someone had been dragged.

“Cheery.” But Skye’s voice fell flat in the stillness. Nothing moved, absolutely nothing, no matter how far his senses fanned out—it was unnerving.

“I’m going to keep this short,” Cori said. “Tell him the truth. Don’t lie. If shit goes south, Calcifer is going to pull you out.”

“Are you sure you can trust that thing?” Skye asked. The monkey, who had wriggled out from inside her coat to perch on her shoulder, gave him the stink eye. “This would be an easy way to get rid of me, just saying…”

Cori looked him in the eye. “You are a part of my past that cannot be altered. If Calcifer gets rid of you now, he gets rid of me. You don’t trust him with your life. That’s fine, smart even. But I trust him with mine, which means that in this instance I also trust him with yours. Can you accept that?”

Skye nodded. He could. As much as he disapproved of the monster’s choice of diet, at this point, he couldn’t doubt its loyalty.

“Is everyone ready?” Cori asked.

No, but Skye nodded anyway. As did the monkey.

“Great. Let’s get this the hell over with.” Then Cori pushed open the door.