Chapter 167

“You ran off again,” I said. “Without me.”

Tansy paced the clearing like a trapped predator. Restless. Agitated. Every movement carried barely restrained violence beneath it.

“I told you,” I continued, “we do this together. As a pack.” My voice hardened. “That means you don’t run off to kill without someone else there.”

“Someone else was there,” she snapped.

I raised an eyebrow in surprise. That was something I’d picked up from others. It seemed appropriate here. “Who?”

Tansy stopped pacing so abruptly dirt scattered beneath her feet. Then, bizarrely, she looked sheepish. The shift was jarring. One moment she was the Tansy I knew - violent, overwhelming, wild.

The next she became this fractured thing she’d slowly turned into over the past weeks - uncertain, hesitant, and fragile.

Her Faith had stabilized some, but she was still at risk - the cracks there beneath the surface.

“Who?” I repeated.

“Anura,” she muttered quietly.

My expression hardened immediately. “The God-King?”

She nodded.

“What did he want?”

Tansy took a small step backward. She refused to meet my eyes. “He said…” Her voice faltered. “He said he’d been watching me. Us.” Another pause. “He said I was beautiful.”

I stared at her. Not because of the words themselves. Because of the look on her face afterward. Shy. Confused. Almost hopeful. It reminded me uncomfortably of Issa.

I felt a low ripple of alarm. Did she want to mate with him?

I’d seen what that instinct did to people. Seen them throw away reason, loyalty, even themselves because of it. Mortals destroyed entire lives over that kind of attachment.

And somehow… Somehow it also seemed to make thren stronger.

I froze.

Thren. Why had I thought of Him that way?

That was the word the others used. The word I’d awkwardly tried during Tib’s birthday celebration because it had clearly pleased Him.

And yes, technically it fit. But I had never truly thought of Him that way before.

I was the pack leader. He was the apex. The one above me. The one we listened to because that was simply how the world should be.

In Brel, thren literally meant ‘one who stands’. A protector. Provider. Stability.

There was no blood requirement for the word. Goblins used it freely for men outside their lineage. But it implied closeness. Trust.

It was not the word for the man who merely gave you meat. It was the word for the man you reached for when you were frightened.

I wasn’t frightened. And He no longer provided for me the way He once had.

Even then, I hadn’t used the word. He had simply been Him. The apex.

“Vel?” Tansy’s timid voice snapped me from my thoughts.

“What?” My attention returned sharply to her.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes,” I replied after a moment. “I was distracted.”

I forced my shoulders to loosen slightly. “We do this as a pack,” I told her again, more quietly this time. “Don’t run off alone anymore.”

I held her gaze firmly. “I mean it.”

* * *

I dumped bags onto Thae’s table - books, weapons, jewelry, face paint, three flimsy containers leaking something called teriyaki chicken, and two hamsters.

Thae stared at the pile. Then she stared at me. “What,” she asked slowly, “is on your face?”

I grinned proudly. “You like it? It’s called makeup. Humans use it to look prettier.” I pointed at my lips. “Do I look pretty?”

“You look ridiculous.” She picked up one of the leaking containers before it soaked through a stack of books. “And why,” she continued flatly, “are you wearing a collar?”

“Because it has SPIKES!” I beamed. “Isn’t it great? I saw paintings of humans wearing these on Earth.” I tugged proudly at my shirt. “And look! It says SLAYER. It’s like it was made for me!”

Thae closed her eyes briefly like she was regretting every decision that had led to this moment. “I asked you to retrieve information on Earth warfare and tactics.”

“I did,” I complained. “I just got a little distracted.”

I grabbed one of the leaking containers of chicken off a pile of magazines to show her the covers. “This one is about Battlefield. And this one is called Gears of War.” I held up another proudly. “This one has helicopters exploding on the cover.”

I started sorting through the mess enthusiastically. “This one’s about hunting. This one compares different guns and says which ones are best. And these-” I held up several smaller books made of resin or lacquer. “-these books are empty, but have shiny plates inside. They’re definitely important. They were locked behind glass.”

Thae pinched the bridge of her nose.

“Earth humans train for war very young,” I explained confidently. “Look.” I snatched up a brightly colored gun. “This is a training weapon for children.”

Before she could respond, I pulled the trigger. A bright orange dart shot out and struck her directly between the eyes.

“I think Nerf means ‘combat’ on Earth.”

Thae put her hand on the weapon and pressed it away from her face slowly.

Very slowly.

“I also got these things that let you see really far away,” I continued, completely undeterred. “And some actual guns. And knives. And weird bows. Oh! And these tubes are full of foamy liquid that make you battle ready - like a bull!”

Thae narrowed her eyes. “How,” she asked carefully, “is a bull battle ready?”

“I don’t know.” I rolled my eyes dramatically. “But try it. The bubbles give you strength and energy!”

She looked profoundly unconvinced despite the fact I had brought her everything she requested and considerably more.

“At least try the chicken,” I insisted. “It’s incredible.”

Thae speared a piece with one claw and placed it into her mouth. She chewed slowly. Her brow furrowed slightly. “Why is it sweet?”

“I don’t know,” I admitted. “But it’s amazing, right?”

She stabbed another piece and chewed with the same unsettling level of concentration. “And salty.” She swallowed. “And smoked.”

Then, without another word, she picked up the entire container and placed it carefully on another table behind her. She turned back toward me with deadly seriousness.

“Clo.”

I straightened instinctively.

She snapped her fingers twice in front of my face to ensure she had my full attention. “Listen to me very carefully.”

“…Okay?”

“Do not,” she said gravely, “under any circumstances, tell Moss about this.”

I nodded vigorously.

Moss would absolutely love teriyaki chicken.

* * *

I arranged to meet Amberleigh in a town called Grimward. According to his message, I was to meet him in a blue barn on the north side of town.

That seemed excessively dramatic for someone like Amberleigh.

I’d known him for nearly five years now. I knew he served as High Council to the queen of Arvellia. I knew he almost certainly had ties to the kingdom’s intelligence networks. But meeting that far outside town? In an unnamed barn in the middle of nowhere?

Either he’d uncovered something exceptionally dangerous-

-or he was luring me into a trap.

I wasn’t sure which possibility I disliked more.

Before leaving, I stopped in to see Serah.

It was technically her turn to watch Naevira, though by this point the arrangement felt almost ceremonial. Naevira had been calm, gentle, and stable since arriving at the keep. They’d even begun allowing her to spend time with Briva and Morien, albeit under supervision.

I found Serah seated near the castle wall in the morning light, working quietly on her needlepoint while Naevira peppered her with questions about the world.

Serah was uniquely suited for that sort of thing. While she hadn’t traveled extensively herself, she was every bit as educated as Elise. Her knowledge simply centered more around people - their histories, customs, politics, and beliefs.

Pyraeth had ensured his daughter’s tutors were second to none. He had groomed her to rule. Not in his stead, but as an extension of his will.

To that end, Serah had become instrumental in educating our children as well. She handled history, economics, etiquette, and social sciences. Mirri taught healing, practical magic, gardening, cooking, and household skills. Ashlara covered survival, hunting, combat, and physical training. And Elise taught magical theory, mathematics, logic, and astronomy.

Honestly, our children were probably receiving a better education than most royalty.

“Good morning, Princess,” I said with a smile as I approached.

Serah looked up immediately, warmth softening her regal composure. “Good morning, my mate.”

I leaned down and kissed the top of her head before turning my attention toward the gallowborn. “Good morning, Naevira.”

“Saelae veyra, Seth,” she replied automatically.

Though her trade tongue had improved considerably, she still slipped back into Elithae whenever she grew comfortable or distracted.

“I’m heading to meet Amberleigh this afternoon,” I told them. “Apparently I’m supposed to find him in a blue barn north of Grimward.” I sighed. “Hopefully he’s not planning to assassinate me.”

Naevira looked immediately alarmed. “Then you should not go,” she said seriously. “That sounds very dangerous.”

I smiled softly at her concern. “I don’t think Amberleigh actually intends to kill me,” I assured her. “He’s just being cautious. More cautious than I’ve ever seen him.”

Which worried me considerably more than I wanted to admit. “I trust him,” I continued. “He’s intelligent, capable, and knows what he’s doing.”

“Please be careful nonetheless,” Serah said quietly. “Even if Amberleigh himself is trustworthy, this level of secrecy suggests there may be other dangers involved.”

I nodded. “I’ll be careful,” I promised. “I mainly wanted to stop by and make sure neither of you needed anything before I left.”

“We’ll be fine,” Serah said.

Naevira nodded beside her with solemn agreement.

I leaned down and kissed Serah properly this time. When we parted, I rested my forehead gently against hers. “I’ll see you soon.”

* * *

I found Elise in the library, exactly where I expected her to be.

Nim, however, caught me by surprise.

The massive bloodchild sat on one of the benches meant for three people, his broad shoulders curled inward as he read a tome that looked like a cheap paperback in his enormous hands.

“Hey, big guy,” I said, patting his shoulder as I passed. “Whatcha reading?”

Nim lifted his head slowly, dark mane rustling softly around his face. Then he held up the cover for me to see.

The Persistence of Crowns, by Scholar-Provost Elid Vorr.

“Wow,” I said. “What’s it about?”

“Leaders who guided their people through catastrophe,” he replied in his usual deep, measured voice.

I nodded thoughtfully. “Sounds interesting. Maybe I’ll borrow it when you’re done.”

He gave a small nod and immediately returned to reading. Somehow, despite his size, Nim had mastered the art of becoming quiet.

“Good morning, Beautiful,” I said as I approached Elise.

Briva and Morien sat at one of the nearby desks drawing with soft pastels. Their tiny fingers were stained with color as they focused intensely on their masterpieces. Both immediately looked up and grinned when they heard my voice.

Elise turned toward me and blushed softly. “Good morning, beloved.”

I leaned down and kissed her gently. “I’m meeting Amberleigh this afternoon,” I told her. “I just wanted to check in with everyone before I leave. He’s being unusually secretive about whatever he found.” I sighed. “It worries me a little.”

“I informed Serah where I’m going,” I added with a faint smile. “I don’t expect problems, but it would be irresponsible not to tell all of you.”

“Please be careful,” Elise said quietly.

“I will. I promise.”

A loud clatter interrupted us from behind.

I turned. And stared.

Clo stood near Nim. Or at least I thought it was Clo.

She wore a black SLAYER shirt stretched tight across her torso, along with tight leather pants that accentuated her runner’s legs and ass. A spiked collar wrapped around her throat, matched by thick leather cuffs studded with metal spikes around each wrist.

But none of that compared to her face.

I was too stunned to laugh.

Black lipstick had somehow ended up smeared from her lips halfway across her right cheek, as though she’d applied it and immediately wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. Her eyeliner was so thick she resembled either a raccoon or a failed masked vigilante. The blush across her already sunburnt skin was dark enough to look almost wine-red.

And glitter. So much glitter. It covered her left cheek entirely and sparkled throughout her hair every time she moved.

“I got what you asked for,” she announced proudly to Nim as she dumped the contents of a pink backpack onto the table.

A half-burned family photo album. A portable CD player. An old wallet stuffed with CDs. What looked disturbingly like a teenage girl’s diary. A stuffed rabbit. A psychology textbook. A birdwatching guide. A book on hospice care. A bag of beef jerky. Glowsticks. And a wolf hoodie so small it wouldn’t fit over Nim’s bicep.

Nim quietly examined each item one at a time. Then gave Clo a solemn nod.

“Clo,” I said carefully once my brain restarted. “Where did you get all of that?”

“Oh!” She straightened immediately. “Um. I found it.”

I narrowed my eyes.

“In the woods,” she added.

My stare sharpened further.

“Under a car.”

I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose.

“You went back to Earth, didn’t you?”

“Noooo…” she answered slowly.

I glared at her.

“Maaaaybeee…”

“Clo.”

“Okay, yes, I went back to Earth,” she blurted out. “But I was fast and nobody saw me.” The words tumbled from her mouth faster and faster. “And I had to go. Softbite looked so sad.” She proudly held up the stuffed rabbit.

I stared at it for a long moment. Then sighed. “And where,” I asked carefully, “did you get the money to buy all this?”

“I didn’t need money,” she replied brightly. “People just left it lying around because they didn’t want it anymore.”

“Uh huh.” My eyes drifted toward the makeup disaster coating her face.

“And the makeup?”

Her face lit up instantly. “You noticed?” She beamed. “Do I look pretty? The pictures on Earth said makeup makes humans prettier.” She pointed proudly at her eyes. “I think the dark paint makes humans look more dangerous and sexually competitive.”

“More sexually-” I stopped myself and cleared my throat. “You look very pretty,” I told her, fighting the smile threatening to betray me. “You should show Mirri.”

Clo puffed up proudly.

“But,” I continued firmly, “I don’t want you going back to Earth. It’s dangerous. And somebody probably misses at least some of this stuff.” I glanced at the pile. “Well… maybe not the photo album. But the rest belonged to someone. You can’t just take things because nobody is nearby.”

Clo made puppydog eyes. “Should I take it back?”

I exhaled slowly through my nose. “No,” I said. “Because that would require you going back to Earth again.” I pointed at her sternly. “Leave it here. And no more trips to Earth. I mean it.”

“Ooookay,” she huffed dramatically.