Page 42 of Lucifer's Mirror

A resigned expression crosses her face. I’m guessing she’s getting fed up with repeating the story, but she goes through it quickly, finishing up with, “Then four nights ago, you could say I bumped into Khaosti, and so here we are.”

“Khaosti?” His sharp gaze settles on me. “Would that be Khaosti del Aurion?”

I give a curt nod, but I don’t like his tone. Neither does Fury.

“You are not welcome here,” Thanouq says. “None of your kind are.”

His words come as no surprise.

Up until the last three years, I spent my whole life on Astrali. I grew up believing that my people were revered as gods on the other worlds. And maybe they were once, but that was thousands of years ago. Since the great wars, we have stayed away from Earth and Valandria—at my father’s command.

When I finally ventured there in search of Khendril’s girl, it quickly became clear that I was gravely mistaken. On Earth, we are all but forgotten; just remnants of us appear in the myths and legends. On Valandria, they remember us, but not with any reverence. I think the fallen statue of my father is evidence of that.

But I shrug and say the one thing that might prevent him from throwing us out, or worse: “Khendril is my half-brother.”

Thanouq is silent for a while. I get the impression he would like to call me a liar. But the similarities between the two of us are beyond doubt. “Khendril never spoke of his past or his family,” he finally says. “Probably with good reason.”

He doesn’t look happy, but he does wave a hand to the cushions. “Sit.”

Amber sinks down onto the cushion nearest her. Now that we have stopped moving, I can see that she’s exhausted. I follow more slowly, then Thanouq and Zayne. Only Therion remains standing; he’s alert for any threat to his boss.

“Khendril sent me a message three years ago,” Thanouq says. “Telling me that a girl would come in the company of a young man.” He looks at me. “He described you but failed to mention your name. He asked that I help her in any way I could. We don’t get many strangers here and—"

“Actually, I’ve been here before,” I interrupt. Those other times I visited, he could have shown himself. I’m guessing nothing happens in this city that he doesn’t know about. “More than once,” I add.

He gives me a cool look. “Maybe you were of no interest to us without the girl.” Then a smirk. “And maybe you’re of no use now that we have the girl. Maybe you should go back to your father before we decide to rid our world of one more useless Astrali.”

“Your world?” I sneer. “Only as long as my people allow it.” My skin feels tight, as though it will burst at any moment, releasing destruction on us all. “So go ahead and touch me. My father will have you all slaughtered.”

“He could try. I think—”

“Er,” Amber interrupts, turning to glare at Thanouq. “You don’t actually ‘have’ the girl. And if Khaos goes, then I go.”

Fury settles a little at that, and I slump down, taking a deep breath. Much as I’d love for Fury to rip the arrogant asshole’s throat out, I realize we’re outnumbered. If Thanouq decides to kill me and do what he likes with Amber, he has a whole army to ensure that happens. Caution has never been my strong point, but she is changing me. Is that a good thing?

I take a deep breath. “I’m here, like you, at my brother’s bidding,” I say. “Khendril gave me the same message. He told me he was sending me a girl. I was to come here, and you would be able to tell me where to find the Crone.”

Thanouq tugs at his beard as he studies us all. “Khendril saved my life. I owe him, and for that reason, you keep yours.”

And just like that, I’m back on the knife’s edge. “Just try and take it,” I growl.

Amber leans across and elbows me in the gut. “Stop being a complete idiot,” she mutters. “Nobody is taking anybody’s life.”

“You think you would have made it through the city alive if I wanted you dead?” Thanouq asks. “You live only because I allow it. And because I find your companion”—he casts Amber a glance and a smile—“interesting.”

“And you—” Amber points a finger at Thanouq—“stop trying to wind him up. Not that I blame you; he can be really annoying, but it’s not getting us anywhere.” She sighs. “I really can’t take any more fighting at this point. Please, can we just talk like rational human beings?”

I feel I should point out that we aren’t actually human, maybe with the exception of Zayne, and possibly Amber herself. I don’t know what she is.

“Please,” she says again. “Just tell me what’s going on, and then I can go to bed.” She turns to Thanouq. “I get that you’re supposed to help me, but who are you?”

“My name is Thanouq Del Aurion.”

I frown at that.

“Hey, are you two related?” Amber asks.

“No!” we both snap at the same time.