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The cockatrice from Temple Prime stood there.

Lune noted he was still clothed in dull, dark grays. He still wore his metallic helmet, with the visor of curved, lemon-colored glass shielding his face. And yes, the glowing compass was still hanging on his belt.

But why? Why was he here?

Lune knew he shouldn’t be staring through that magical glass shield for any prolonged period.

But the once cultured way of how the man carried himself at Temple, had cracked.

A haggard aura battled with the norm of grace and propriety.

The shadow of a beard clung to his jaw, and there were bags under his eyes.

Lune grabbed Narsus’s wrist before his mate lunged forward into a confrontation. “He was at Temple Prime,” Lune wheezed out. “He’s one of us.”

Narsus halted his advance. His wings flared out, blocking Lune from view. Lune merely grabbed a handful of green feathers and parted them to peek out.

Narsus snapped his wing to block the view again. “Keep your eyes closed, Husband,” came the curt, strangled command. “He is a cockatrice. ”

Clandestinely, Lune disobeyed. If this stranger wanted to harm them, the face shield would already be raised.

The cockatrice studied his compass, then bowed his head. He backed out of the room. “My apologies. Again, I have been misdirected. You may call me Tryce. I—will wait for an audience upon the beach. I have questions.”

Then the intruder was gone, with only the clack of the screen door to bump them out of their surprise.

“I know him,” Narsus announced into the shocked silence. “I met him once when I was very small—when I lived with the Grim. Long before my compass ever manifested. He hasn’t changed at all.”

“So he was already an adult when you knew him. Who is he?” Lune asked.

“A distant cousin, I’m pretty sure. Related through my Verdigris bloodline.”

“That’d make sense. What’re you going to do?”

Narsus shrugged. “Talk to him. Find out why he’s here.”

“That compass has been leading him all around two islands, all this time,” Lune mused. “And both times Brightside and I were in his path. I don’t envy the adventure he’s been through.”

Narsus sighed and rubbed a hand across his face. “I…I hope this isn’t another Compass-glitch. Not with you.”

Narsus startled when Lune grasped his shoulder. “I don’t think so. After all, we did just uncover Bree’s.”

Narsus jerked in surprise. That important piece of information had slipped his mind, given the immediate circumstances. “You mean—?”

“Well, this Tryce did reject attempts at conversation. Twice. So he knows he and I aren’t a match. That leaves only one other person. Brightside.”

Narsus gave a little huff of hope. “Please let it be.”

Lune reached for his trousers, working to stuff his tails through the pant legs while slowly morphing back to his human-self. He smacked himself in the thigh, trying to hurry up the change. “I’m going with you.”

“I’m—not sure that’ll be a good idea, Songbird.”

“Why?”

“If there’s an accident, I at least have some immunity to his gaze, being a poison phoenix, and our races are related.” Narsus was up, dressed, and heading outside.

“Still going with you.” Lune jumped in front of him, his legs morphing fully back into legs.

Lune tried to lead the way up the beach, but Narsus waved at him to walk behind. With eyes downcast as a safety measure. Lune didn’t argue and after a second to mull that over, was in complete agreement.

Tryce loitered several yards away, where the tide lapped against the sand. He’d taken off his shoes and seemed to be entranced with the draw of the ocean, stepping a little further into the wet sand when the water withdrew. Their uninvited guest savored the next rush of the waves against his toes.

Perspiration gathered at Narsus’s armpits. Tryce appeared to enjoy the essence of the current.

Lune was of the current, the ocean.

Before Narsus could say anything, Tryce faced him .

“Greetings, son of the Grim. Greetings to your mate. Congratulations to you both.”

Narsus was taken aback. Lune and Tryce crossed paths at Temple Prime’s Compass office, yet Tryce didn’t know Lune’s name? It was a clue that Tryce really wasn’t here for Lune.

Still, Narsus was cautious. “You remember me.”

Tryce nodded. “Your sire praises you often.”

Hearing that made him proud. “So, what brings you to visit out in the middle of nowhere?” Narsus got straight to the point. He couldn’t take the mystery any longer, and he was glad Lune was letting him handle this.

Tryce lifted his compass, holding it between two fingers. To Narsus’s relief, it was no longer glowing. “It’s been leading me on a wild chase.”

“I see that.”

“Which has me inquiring. Any of your Compass-companions recently depart?”

Narsus nodded. “They both just left for Temple Prime.”

The disappointment that subtly overtook Tryce’s body language had Narsus feeling a little guilty at trying to get rid of him so quickly.

“What are their names? Who’s compass was it that glowed?”

“Brightside’s,” Narsus answered.

“Brightside.” The name repeated softly on Tryce’s lips. Then he frowned. “Brightside. That was the elf who escorted your mate on the road from Temple. He too, loitered within the walls of the temple.”

“Yes,” Narsus clarified. “He was my proxy to Lune.”

Tryce’s frown deepened, his deadly eyes lowered in thought. “I was in close proximity with both Brightside, and Lune. Neither seemed to properly match.” He lifted a weary hand to toy with the fit of his helmet. “Blast this chaotic Compass-magic. ”

“If you hurry, your flight might catch up with them.”

“I didn’t fly here. I can’t.” He tapped at the visor shielding his eyes.

“Right,” Narsus replied, somewhat embarrassed.

“Might I still get a boat back to Staritti’s Island? Tonight?”

Narsus shook his head. “Not at this hour, I’m afraid. You’ll have to wait until tomorrow. We do have a spare room, if you’d like to stay. You can get an early start.”

Tryce didn’t answer. Then, “I should not.”

“Please,” Narsus insisted. “I know how much of a burden that helmet is. You’ll have your privacy.”

There was a defeated sigh. As if Tryce was holding onto the last thread of both his mental, and physical strength.

“You do know what this portable prison is like, don’t you?

Yes, you very much do. I will take you up on your offer.

Thank you, son of the Grim. Thank you, too, Lune, for this opportunity to catch my breath.

This confusing marathon-chase has taken a toll.

I promise to be gone before dawn breaks. ”