Heat Between the Lines

Wyll had gone into his tent, brooding and quiet. The echo of Mizora’s departure still sizzled in the air like burnt incense. The rest of us stood in the firelight, bowls mostly forgotten, the evening suddenly heavier.

Karlach stomped near the firepit, her internal engine matching the heat from the campfire. She was trying hard not to punch anything.

"That smug, glowing-eyed, stupid sexy hellbitch," she snarled. "I should’ve caved in her skull when I had the chance. Gods. Always so... slithery.”

I glanced at her, still holding my bowl. "You okay?"

She slowed down, just a touch. Her jaw worked side to side before she answered.

"Mizora and I go way back," she said, "We were both in Zariel’s inner circle—her by choice, me by ****. In the grand scheme of things, I was just background noise. Inconsequential. But she—Zariel—treated me like some twisted kind of pet. Kept me close. Mizora hated that. Hated me. Envied every second I got near Zariel’s favor. I’m sure she was thrilled when she got the order to hunt me down. Probably danced in hellfire."

She turned to me then, something softer flickering behind the rage. _“And Wyll… he actually did it. Gave himself up to spare me. That moron. Sweet, heroic, completely reckless moron. Might be the best of us—but _also the dumbest."

She laughed bitterly. And just like that, another small crack. Barely missed it. The way she said it—he might be the best of us—wasn’t proud. It was annoyed. More wicked heat than honor in her tone.

Shadowheart joined us, arms folded, hair catching the light. Lae’zel followed a step behind, face unreadable but clearly listening.

Shadowheart's voice was calm but pointed. "So.. What did Mizora mean by 'excellent company'?" Her gaze narrowed slightly.

Lae’zel followed, face hard as always, arms folded across her chest. “We have fought, bled, and eaten together with you. And yet, we know little of your origin. That she-devil knew of you. Explain it.”

Karlach gave me a side glance, her voice flat with suspicion. "You’re not, like, secretly one of them—right? Like Evil evil?"

I raised both hands with a smile, as non-threatening as I could manage. "As you know by now, I’m a warlock. My patron is... mysterious. Forgotten. Not evil. Not in the way you’re thinking. And not big on giving me powers at the moment"

Shadowheart tilted her head. "What did you give up? Patrons always want something."

I looked at her earnestly. "My past."

Her face softened.

Lae’zel rolled her eyes. "T'schk! Again with the vagueness. You hide truths like a rogue hides coin."

"I believe him," Shadowheart said with a small smile "Besides... what’s wrong with a bit of mystery?" She finished with a wink.

Karlach still seemed uneasy. "Just promise me one thing, soldier. You're not in league with Zariel. I couldn’t bear that. Not from you"

I shook my head, solemn. "I’m not. He—my patron—knows her. Hates her."

Karlach stared at the flames for a second, pondering, “Okay. Okay, so infernal in origin. And you’re too brainy for him to be a regular demon. Hmm... Mephistopheles? You got that whole arcane knowledge thing, but no magic. Asmodeus? Nah, he loves Zariel. Dispater—”

I groaned. “First off, Rude! It’s personal, not a guessing game.”

She laughed and waved it off. “Alright, alright. You helped me with those bastard paladins, so I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt.”

Shadowheart shrugged. “You want to destroy the goblins, so you're not all bad.”

Lae’zel nodded once. “You keep us alive. That is what matters.”

Karlach exhaled. “Yeah. That too, I guess.”

The fire snapped, throwing sparks into the dark. There was a long pause, until Shadowheart’s voice broke the quiet.

“Speaking of priorities...” She looked toward the others. “Do either of you mind if I... take more of his time tonight?”

Lae’zel shot me a glance—hard, direct. “I care not for time. Only results. If he can perform, he may perform.”

Karlach laughed, her mood lightening for the first time since Mizora’s arrival. “Straight to the point, Lae’zel.” She looked to me “Teasing’s half the fun~ But I can be done quick.. It's up to you, really.”

Shadowheart flushed, but her smile was pleased. “Thank you for your understanding.”

She turned to me, all silk and slow confidence. “You have work to do, Tav. Meet me by my tent.”

She pivoted with a sway in her hips and glided into the shadows.

Karlach smirked as she turned toward the river path. “Don’t keep her waiting. Or me.”

Lae’zel gave a curt nod. “Come find me soon.”

The three of them disappeared into their respective corners of camp, the air humming with unspoken tension.

I exhaled, and then remembered.

Wyll.

Still alone in his tent, still stewing in the aftermath.

Work first. Then pleasure.