Page 104 of Lucifer's Mirror

“Not to me. Just demanded to see the prince. Arrogant fucker.”

I grin at that. “I’m surprised you let him in.”

“I thought about leaving him out there. But then I decided we might learn something useful from him. I’d love to know what Khronus is up to right now. If he knows his son is with me, he will not be happy. In fact, there’s a good chance he’s shitting his pants.”

“You know Khaosti’s father?”

“Once we knew each other well. But that was a long time ago. Another life.” She sighs and gets to her feet, a closed-off expression falling over her face like a mask. She gets that way sometimes. I know the memories make her sad, and I can’t help but wonder what happened back then. But I know from experience that I won’t get anything further from her.

“Where are Winter and Thanouq?” I ask.

“Winter has gone to the temple, and Thanouq is checking the wards.”

I get to my feet as well. Everyone has something important to do. Except me. All I have to do is remember, and I can’t even do that.

Suddenly I’m restless. “I’m going for a run.”

I run until I’m exhausted, then I head for the stable and Stella. I find her company soothing. A shadow falls across us, and I glance up to see Khaosti standing in the doorway. He’s alone.

“What have you done with your friend?” I ask.

“Murdered him and buried him in the vegetable plot.”

“Good. I don’t like him.”

He grins. “The feeling is mutual. He thinks you’re trouble.”

More than he could possibly imagine—or is that just wishful thinking? “What doyouthink?”

“Iknowyou’re trouble. I just haven’t worked out what sort of trouble yet.”

“Who is he exactly?” I ask.

He shifts a little, as though he knows I’m not going to like his answer. “He’s my liege man. My body servant.”

What does that even mean? “He’s a guardian like Khendril?”

“No, he’s pure blood but from one of the lesser families.”

“Let me get this straight. He’s your servant. Like Brown? Are you really so helpless that you can’t look after yourself?”

“It’s tradition.”

I give Stella a last stroke of her velvet nose and wander over to him. “You know, traditions are just a way of life that develops because of certain conditions. They’re historically interesting but not to be adhered to if those conditions change. You Astrali types need to get a life and move with the times.”

A smile flickers across his face, but it’s gone in moments. He’s still tense. I’m guessing the meeting with Trystan didn’t go too well. “He’s also my friend. He’s been with me all my life. We grew up together, and he has my best interests at heart.”

I don’t argue with that, but I also don’t agree. I sense a darkness in Trystan. A bitterness. Maybe he doesn’t like being a servant. I certainly wouldn’t. “Is he a wolf? Like you?”

“No. He doesn’t have a beast. Some don’t.”

I’m sort of glad about that. The idea of Trystan as a wolf is scary. But I’m guessing it’s one more thing that adds to his bitterness, his feeling of inferiority. “Why is he here?” I ask. “What does he want?”

“He brought a message from my father. He orders me home. And he expects me to bring you with me.”

“And are you going?” I don’t ask if he’s taking me with him because, guess what—that’s not happening. I’m not helpless or alone anymore, and I’m not going near Khaosti’s father.

“I don’t know,” Khaosti replies.