Ignore her.

That was a tall order.

One did not tend to ignore the predator in the room.

But Little Water mustered her courage and did everything she could to put the purple woman out of her mind. It wasn’t just fear that made it difficult. A terrible curiosity also gnawed at her, a dozen questions pushing at her tightly closed lips.

Who was the woman? Was her strange appearance because of the Outsider’s influence? Had he influenced her directly or through Lou? Did they plan to make more agents? Was there a plan?

All good questions with potentially catastrophic answers.

“You needed something from me, Scales?”

Little Water didn’t understand the reason behind calling her by one of her features. The estrazi didn’t understand nicknames. Their names were akin to human titles, recognition of their ability and authority. Names with weight and importance. The brood didn’t have use for sentiment. Or humor. Yet, she didn’t deny Lou her amusement. “I want to see my human.”

The noblewoman sighed. Better than many other reactions but not ideal. “Ah, yes. My future brother-in-law. You’ve got to believe me when I tell you he’s safe. We just can’t afford to deal with his problems. Maybe after we cut ties with the city. We’ve got plenty of time.”

“What if I had something to trade?”

Lou’s relaxed expression tightened as she leaned forward. “Well, first, I’d be sad you’re keeping secrets from me.” Little Water fought her aversion to search the violet gaze for anger but didn’t see any signs of temper. “Then I’d ask what you found.”

“Will you give me my human?”

“Why are you so eager to wake him up? He’s got nothing to offer until we unscramble his brains. Even if I were inclined to let you take him away, what would the two of you do? Neither of you are welcome in the north.”

“We would prepare.” There was much to be done if the estrazi and the humans were to forge an alliance. Both sides needed to prove themselves to one another. Her human had suggested that simply forming a union with him, a member of the revered James family, would be enough to, if not convince the people of Victory, give her a chance to sway their minds. However, she had to impress his family.

At first, he’d fervently denied any chance that his father would come around to their partnership but, as his affection and determination grew, he threw away his doubts and thought hard about it. His mother was the one Khan worried about the least. He had a strong suspicion that she would think it was funny having never bought into the superiority of the James’ blood or the Victorians’ generational war. He was also her last son. She didn’t coddle him, but she did want him to be happy. It would destroy her if he died.

He suspected that his father was also tired of losing children. So long as they could work out a compromise that allowed Victory to continue hunting in the north, something that was necessary for both their economy and their culture, he believed the duke could be swayed toward peace.

For the estrazi, the condition to ensure an alliance was far simpler. They were servants of the sovereigns. If the humans wanted an alliance, they only needed to surrender themselves to their will. However, a significant obstacle stood in the way. People couldn’t have two idols. So long as they worshiped the James, they would never be true servants of the dragons.

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The estrazi were worse fanatics than the Victorians. They would accept nothing other than complete devotion.

Before, Little Water thought that they would have their whole lifetimes to conquer their goal and that they would need every year they could get. Now, a nebulous timeline had been imposed on their ambition; they had until Lou made contact with the Defiler. And she would. Her father had predicted as much, saying that their meeting could only be delayed, giving the estrazi more time to prepare. That meeting could take place as soon as the coming winter.

The last thing they needed was to waste time with imposed sleeping. Especially when Lou’s quest was pointless. They wouldn’t be able to reverse the alterations done to Khan’s mind. Little Water understood that the creatures Lou kept around were capable, but her father had no doubt seen them in his visions and he still trusted in the abilities of one of Little Water’s oldest sisters, Great Mind. She was one of the first daughters hatched after they were made the Defiler’s wardens and had been building her power for centuries. Her technique was flawless. Trying to break it would only endanger her human.

Lou’s exasperation said she didn’t care about Little Water’s grand ambitions or how she was currently impeding them. She settled back into her chair, lacing her fingers over her stomach. “He may be ‘your human’, whatever that means, but he’s Alana’s brother. That makes him family. I can’t go around selling him off for benefits, even if he didn’t object to it. It’s the principle of the thing.”

Little Water opened her mouth to try convincing her but stopped when she saw the raised finger. “There is only one person that can change my mind and that’s Alana. Lucky for you, she is a very rational woman. She isn’t afraid to make sacrifices for the greater good.”

Lou smiled, as she often did when thinking of her mates, but quickly suppressed the expression. “She can also be ruthless. So, you’ve got a chance. If your offer is very, very good, she might risk her brother’s wellbeing to obtain it. But! If it isn’t, you’ll only piss her off and make me look bad for even making her think about it. She’s all heart under that northern righteousness. You upset her, you upset me, and I have very few reasons to entertain you as it is. Ask yourself, is whatever you have good enough to risk it?”

“Of course.” Lou had made it clear that she didn’t want to deal with Khan. Trying to force the powerful to do something they didn’t want to do was always a risk. She wouldn’t have come at all if she didn’t have confidence.

“Er. You, ah…you sounded very sure of yourself.”

“It is something you will be very interested in.”

“Don’t suppose you’re hiding a beautiful woman somewhere? Haha…ha.” Lou’s laughter died as she took in Morgene’s cold smile. She cleared her throat. “Well? What’s so impressive?”

“Information. I believe I have discovered another threat against you.”

Lou scoffed. “Of course you found a threat to me. The whole city wants me dead. Saints, I wouldn't be surprised if most of the kingdom does. If that’s all—"

“This threat was not human.”

That stopped Lou’s dismissal, her brows furrowing. “If you mean manabeasts—"

“This thing was not a beast. It was an unnatural thing. Whether it was directed by human hands, I don’t know, but it is unlike anything I have ever seen. And I have born witness to titans.”

“Not exactly the vote of confidence you think it is but…” Lou let out an explosive sigh. “Ah, ah. You really know what buttons to push, don’t you?”

Little Water kept her opinion to herself, not seeing the value in pointing out the obvious. It was only a matter of course that she knew what Lou valued. Knowing what your target wanted was the basis of a proper negotiation and anyone who observed Lou for a few moments could discover what she valued most.

There was no way she would tolerate a threat to her family. And while Little Water wasn’t sure the strange creature was a threat, the possibility was there and she was sure even the chance of unknown danger lurking about would be too much for the noblewoman to bear.

“You’re really pushing it, Scales. So much so that I’m tempted to pull the information from your head.”

“You despise the abuse of the mental affinity.”

“I despise my family being in danger more.”

“I told my servants to hide the creature from me.”

“You could be lying.”

“I’m not.”

“…no, don’t think you are.” Little Water’s curiosity must have shown. “Lying would be too stupid.”

“You could always threaten the servants with the life of their princess and force them to lead you to this supposed danger.”