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“What the fuck is a portal key?” Cyrus asked, rubbing at his temples. He really was not in the mood for a history lesson.

“They are similar to the mirror gates in a way. They can create portals between the worlds. Deimas had one. It was how he got here,” Mordecai explained. “I do not know all the details of what happened. Only Alaric’s version of the events. But from what I can gather, Eliné and Henna became suspicious of their sister before her betrayal was fully revealed. They somehow stole the portal key and Esmeray’s ring and took them to the then High Witch. She used an enchantment to split the key into three pieces, hiding them within the rings. Divided, the power of the stone is diminished, but he was able to use the ring to turn any mirror into a mirror gate to communicate with Achaz.”

“And if the three rings were reunited, say by a powerful Sorceress…” Cyrus gritted out, piecing together exactly why Gehenna wanted her spell book and this ring so badly.

“The portal key could be restored with the right enchantment. But to fully destroy the portal key, the pieces must be reunited as well. It is why it could not be destroyed with the Fellowship, even with starfire,” Mordecai answered.

“So what you are essentially saying is we need to get all three rings,” Cassius said.

Nuri shrugged. “That’s what I would do.”

“The other two rings that Alaric already possesses,” Cyrus deadpanned.

“Yes. He only held all three for a brief period of time,” Nuri replied, fidgeting in her seat. “He had planned to have the Sorceress restore the portal key when he freed her, but Scarlett set the world on fire before he could fulfill that part of his plan. It is why he searched the rubble so adamantly for weeks.”

“Anything else we should know?” Cassius asked.

“No,” Nuri said. “Now leave so I can eat.”

As she said it, she slid into Mordecai’s lap, straddling him and brushing aside his shoulder-length hair. He was already tipping his head to the side, his hands landing on her waist.

“You can’t drink from a glass?” Cassius said dryly, getting to his feet.

“Night Children only drink from the throat if they are lost to bloodlust or they are drinking from a lover. I don’t think bloodlust is the case here,” Cyrus murmured, tugging Cass to the window they’d entered through. He often forgot how little Cassius actually knew of the various bloodlines.

They were back on the rooftop before Cassius said, “That was unexpected.”

“Which part?” Cyrus muttered, scanning the street below for a tavern that was open at this time of the night. He also needed to eat if he was going to refill Cass’s reserves anytime soon. Holding those shields against ashwood arrows had been draining.

“All of it, I guess,” Cass answered.

“We’ll eat, sleep, and then go see the High Witch,” Cyrus said.

Cass nodded. He was quiet the rest of the night.

Chapter39

Callan

Callan took the hit he saw coming. He knew it was going to hurt. The Earth Prince was as brutal as Eliza was when it came to training and sparring. Then again, so was Arantxa when the Witch joined them.

So he took the blow to his ribs, leaning into the hit and doubling over.

To grab the knife from his boot.

He sucked in one quick breath before he snapped back up and threw the knife straight at Azrael. The prince’s eyes widened slightly. It was the only surprise he let show as he managed to twist to the side at the last second, the knife grazing along his shoulder and drawing blood.

“Good,” was all the Earth Prince said as he swiped at the blood before wiping it on his pants. The cut would heal in an hour or two.

The bruise on Callan’s ribs would not.

But he’d long since learned he would never be stronger than the Fae. He would never be faster. He would always be outmatched, so he had to be smarter. Use distractions and technique to his advantage.

They were about to start another round of sparring when a sharp whistle sounded that had them both turning to the trees. A moment later, Mordecai and Nuri appeared. The seraph was in fighting leathers, and Death’s Shadow was in her hunting attire.

“We don’t have much time,” Mordecai said by way of greeting.

Nuri stood beside him, still as the death she looked like she was about to bestow. Her hood was up, mask in place. Only her eyes were visible as she scanned the surroundings.