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It was just another mission. I could handle it.

Lord stood and left me alone without another word. I placed the sheathed weapon—Venom—under my pillow, scarfed down the rest of the bread and apple, and drifted into a deep, deep sleep.

Chapter

Three

The pain that screamed in my back had dulled to a constant yet manageable burn as Rummy and I made our way through Midgrave. We walked the same route every week around this time; just as the sun was setting and the beautiful rays of gold and orange flickered over the fallen ruins of our town.

Normally, Rummy and I would talk over each other, explaining every detail of our lives since we last spoke.

This time, though, we walked in silence.

I shoved my hands into my black jacket, my boots crunching over the dirt and rocks as we listened to the sounds of surrounding life: the constant thud from Midgrave’s only metal welder in the distance, cries from a screaming baby, the cheerful voices coming from the half-crumbled but still functioning bakery.

And, of course, the half-drunk fae who grew louder and louder with every glass of golden ale they consumed at the tavern.

That’s where Rummy and I were headed—the local watering hole.

Like most of the establishments in Midgrave, there was no longer a door. Just an opening in the grey stone that we quickly ducked into before being greeted with a usual cheer from the other fae inside.

“There you are!” the barmaid, Sophia, yelled as soon as we made our way to our usual table near the back. A cloth hung over her shoulder as she set two ales down for the men at the bar, quickly flashed that perfect smile, and made her way in our direction. “I was starting to think you both forgot about me.”

“Please,” Rummy scoffed. “If we ever forget about you, that means the entirety of Midgrave has crumbled, and you can find our bones with the ashes.”

Sophia rolled her eyes, quickly busying herself with pouring our ales. Rummy made herself comfortable across from me, slipping off her black leather jacket and leaning forward with both elbows on the small wooden table.

“First round is on me,” she said as she returned, placing the large mugs in front of us. Her bright gaze lingered on me. “You look like you need this.”

I said nothing as I picked up the mug and took two large gulps. I felt their eyes on me, but I didn’t care. They had both seen me in much, much worse condition. A few bruises and a stiff back were nothing.

I set the mug back on the table with a clank. “I’m feeling better already,” I said with a wink.

Sophia pulled the cloth from her shoulder as she spun around, her icy hair trailing behind her as she got back to work.

Rummy, however, eyed me for a second longer. My sarcasm wasn’t nearly as effective on her. She knew me too well. “What’s going on with you?” she asked. Her bright green eyes scanned my face, piercing my soul. “Was Lord’s punishment that bad?”

My foot tapped against the bottom of the table. I was thrilled that Lord wanted me to go to The Golden City, even more so that he trusted me to complete whatever this mission entailed.

But leaving Rummy?

She had no one else. Like most of the fae who used to live in Midgrave before it turned to…well, this crumbling, pathetic excuse for a home, her parents were killed by vampyres years ago during the last large attack. Her and I had a lot in common, actually. We both had nobody.

Nobody except each other.

But the train to the academy would leave in days, and I had to tell her, eventually.

“I’m leaving,” I said, fighting to keep my voice steady.

Rummy’s dark brows drew together. “Okay…”

I leaned in, matching her posture with both elbows on the table, and I lowered my voice. “I’m going to The Golden City.”

It took a few moments for my words to register. She quietly picked up her mug, taking the first sip of ale since we arrived. The rest of the tavern seemed to disappear entirely as I watched her, waiting for her response.

She set her mug down and met my gaze. “I’m waiting for more of an explanation here,” she started, “because there is no way in all hells that you randomly decided to get into that place. You do know that most fae don’t even get in, right?”

Another few heavy seconds passed. I tapped my fingers against my mug. “Lord is sending me on a mission there.”