“And do what, exactly?” I asked, not getting it.

Gluttony’s eyes narrowed at me, as though I were dense on purpose.

I was an idiot, and frequently on purpose, but not this time.

“He wants us to fuck her to spread the power,” Envy deadpanned.

Oh.Oh.

“Poor us.” It slipped out before I could help it.

“Idiots,” G grit out. “Move it.”

“Gladly,” I trilled.

Nothing beats having a mission, after all.

Chapter

Twenty-Nine

WRATH

"This is ridiculous," I muttered, flexing my fingers to release small tendrils of energy that danced between them like lightning. The display only made my frustration grow. I needed...something. Distraction. Information. Anything to help me understand what was happening.

The men who’d hurt Kiva were still out there.

Yep, that would do it.

Decision made, I slipped out of my room and into the hushed corridors of Gluttony's manor. The house seemed to breathe around me, ancient and aware in ways I was still adjusting to. Moonlight streamed through tall windows, casting elongated shadows across intricate rugs and gleaming wood floors.

I let instinct guide me, following the soft glow of lamplight until I found myself outside what could be the library. The massive double doors stood partially open, warm light and the comforting scent of old books spilling into the hallway.

Peering in, I saw Pride reclining in a high-backed leather chair, a massive tome open on his lap. Across from him, Slothsprawled on a plush velvet chaise, one arm draped dramatically over his eyes while he somehow managed to hold a book aloft with his other hand.

Just sneak away.

I turned, proud of how soundless it.

“Where are you going?”

I flinched and stumbled forward, caught by a pair of strong arms.

“Pride, I–”

"Can’t sleep?” Sloth asked lazily, book closed in his hands.

"It's more like I can't...settle," I admitted, sinking into an armchair near them but not too close. "My skin feels like it's too small. Like there's too much..." I gestured vaguely, golden light flickering between my fingers as if to illustrate my point.

Pride's eyes tracked the movement with sharp interest. "Magickal overflow," he said, marking his place in his book and setting it aside. "It's to be expected, given the circumstances."

Sloth snorted. "What he means is, 'Sorry we triggered a cosmic magickal bond that's now making you feel like you're going to vibrate out of your skin.'"

I couldn't help but laugh at his bluntness. The sound felt good, releasing some of the tension I'd been carrying.

“I’m going to hunt down the men who hurt Kiva,” I announced.

Damn that felt good. Right, even.