When Quiraxa told me where the “squatters” were… I had no idea what landmarks she was referencing. Of course it’d make sense we wouldn’t use the same place names. In fact, she only even knew modern Ordian because the study of languages related deeply to what had apparently been the largest soul shard during her formation.

Which was something I was surprised she’d be candid about; my surprise quickly turned to regret when she waxed on about it. Not passionately or dispassionately, but with an aura that reminded me of the smuggest of teachers I’d ever had… or Taava on a bad day.

By the time I’d steered the conversation back toward trying to reconcile the shapes of specific peaks and locations of rivers to maybe path out a way to what I was quickly learning was quite far south, I was starting to realize a terrible problem.

Getting to Mordwell would take time we might not have.

Obviously with Lorelei still with him and any number of other greater demons—perhaps even Envy themself—both Seyari and I would need to go. Even if just us went, that would leave my daughter, Nelys, and a bunch of people who were notably not evenly matched with a greater demon to fight off any incursions into the partially-ruined city.

What if whoever hired the mercenaries managed to hire more people who blocked off the pass, causing Duchess Arina’s aid to be intercepted? What if the Church of Dhias, who was absolutely going to undertake retaliatory action for my killing of High Priest Grants, managed to get a sizeable punitive force through Edath despite King Carvalon’s denial of their authority?

Can I even leave this city?

A flash of anger. “You are not listening to me.”

I glanced up at the assertion. “Apologies, Quiraxa. I am merely thinking through the logistics of such a journey.”

“Provided you do not, for some incoherent reason, take mortals with you, I fail to see how it could last longer than two weeks. And furthermore, while I appreciate your acceptance to rid our lands of these pests, you are their cause and thus it is your responsibility.”

The way she almost hissed out the words, and that her eyes bored into mine despite our difference in demonic hierarchy, made me decide not to question the veracity of her point. “I do not plan to take mortals with me, no.” I didn’t mention Sey, or what she was.

Still shouldn’t trust Quiraxa fully. Her tails were a little reminiscent of an Envy demon I’d killed, but she felt different from that—and looked nothing alike besides. Would someone judge horns or claws similarly?

“Good,” Quiraxa replied after a long pause. “But I fail to see why you would be so rude. I had thought you quicker of wit than the beasts under your yoke, Wrath.”

The cocky glint in her eyes wilted underar my glare. “Did you miss the part where I have a city full of mortals I am responsible for?”

“N-no, I did not,” she stuttered, scrabbling for the scraps of her composure. “That… is simply inconsequential to the matter at hand.”

“If I leave, and my enemies move against me, all could be lost.”

She tilted her head. “They would follow you to the south? If they dare to enter Utraxia’s demesne to assault our guest, I assure you retaliation would be swift and decisive.”

I wanted to smack my hand against my face, but I settled for a fiery sigh pushed out through clenched teeth. This assumption that the people of Astrye couldn’t possibly be important, more than anything, proved just how inhuman Quiraxa was. And that I wasn’t like that—which was quite the comforting thought.

“I mean they would attack the city—” I continued when I saw her open her mouth to retort “—and I do not want to get another one. I rather like it here.”

For a moment, she stared at me, then she nodded. “The mountains are beautiful, yes. Particularly in winter. Still, you must understand your obligations.”

Don’t fight it—she’s your best lead. “I do,” I half-lied, then continued in my most “marchioness” tone of voice. “I am merely trying to consider the division of forces. Bringing one or two elites with me should suffice for such a threat, and will make the remediation all the swifter.”

That earned a smile. Probably had enough pointlessly-flowery words in it. “So you will leave…”

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. “When my wife wakes up.” She’d want me to wake her, but she needs the sleep.

Other than a quirked eyebrow, Quiraxa didn’t comment, and continued as though I hadn’t mentioned my spouse. “When will that be?”

Huh…. Oh. Yeah, I could see that being a problem if I were trying to swindle her. “Probably four hours, and if she’s not up in six I’ll go wake her.”

Quiraxa narrowed her eyes.

I sighed and jerked two thumbs backwards. “She’s literally asleep in bed upstairs having gotten back recently from an all-night patrol. She usually sleeps about four hours every other night. I’m not trying to pull a fast one on you.”

“…Acceptable.”

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

I held up one clawed finger. “I do, however, have one condition. Can you fly?”

She blinked. “My form’s perfection does not include wings.”

And she’s not even going to mention her magic being unable to allow such a thing because I bet she can’t think of a way to spin it.

“My condition is thus: we will fly there, and I will carry you.” Sure, her height’ll be an issue, but from the sky, surely she’ll be able to recognize mountaintops even if the rest is from a never-before-seen view.

Quiraxa’s jaw dropped open. “Absolutely not! I am not some invalid!”

“Then you can fly under your own power?”

She drew her shoulders up and gestured down at her very long, hooved legs. “I am a swift runner.”

I raised my brows and leaned forward. “So that’s a ‘no’?”

“My perfection does not—”

“So no then.”

Instead of admitting fault, she glared at me, and I felt her anger pulsing. With a decent amount of effort I hopefully didn’t let show on my face, I fanned the flames, then snuffed them out.

Her face ran through a range of emotions before settling on neutrality barely hiding a bit of fear.

How can I spin this? “Should you accept, you would have the honor of using the Sovereign of Wrath as a flying pack beast, directing her flight.”

To my relieved surprise, Quiraxa relaxed her posture a little, sinking into the seat while her tail-tips idly flicked in thought. “Such an arrangement would hasten the problem’s rectification… Very well then, I agree.”

She sure turned around fast. “Great! Shake on it?”

Quiraxa blinked at me and tilted her head. “If you wish.”

I stuck out a hand and she grasped it in hers, clearly familiar with the motion if not the necessity. Nevertheless, while not a formal contract, I felt the weight of the agreement. Didn’t mean much, but it was something. At the very least, I hadn’t given away much about my own strength.

“I presume you have accommodations such that my wait will not be made in discomfort?”

I thought about the low ceilings in most of the castle. “I’m afraid that the human construction of this place leaves it with low ceilings and lower doors.”

“I noticed the horn-shaped dents in the wood outside, yes. They looked fresh, and the ridge pattern matched your own.”

I fought a blush and lost, coughing. “Ahem. Uh, yeah—that was me. Anyway! Would you mind staying here if refreshments are provided?”

Quiraxa tapped the stone floor with one hoof, the loud clicking sound’s echo mostly muffled by the room’s furniture. “Am I to sit in silent contemplation on inadequate furniture while I drink and eat what I do not need and surely will not please my palate?”

I wanted so, so badly to just shrug and say “yeah”, but I needed her not pissed off. “I have urgent business before I can leave, and unless you wish to accompany me and be seen as an ally by anyone who may be watching, then I’m afraid I can do little else save for providing what few books we have here along with the tea.”

She quirked an eyebrow, an expression that she was infuriatingly well-practiced with. “Human books?”

There are demon books? Wait, don’t think about that right now. “Yes.”

“Intriguing.” The eyebrow lowered—expertly. “Very well. Your hospitality has been… lacking, but not for lack of trying, and I am nothing if not a gracious guest.”

“Wonderful! I will have a servant come by shortly, and if you need anything more specific, ask for Taava.” With another smile, I rose and headed for the door. “I will return before four hours’ time is up, and we will leave as soon as the conditions are fulfilled.”

Thankfully, I hadn’t forgotten about Lilly’s feud with Utraxia. Absolutely because of my steel-trap memory and not all because of how Shyll talked about Quiraxa. So long as she stayed and actually finished mucking out the latrines, they wouldn’t come into contact.

I closed the door behind me and let out a groan. Shyll is absolutely going to bump into Quiraxa, and I have this nagging feeling that I’m forgetting something.

As I expected, Taava had been eavesdropping. Almost literally, as she’d wedged herself up in the crook of one of the hallway’s support beams right above me. I barely even noticed her despite my senses.

With a flick of a finger, I conjured up a wind around both of us. “You don’t have to do that in an eave, you know.”

She dropped down silently beside me. “Figured there was a high chance of one or more a ya comin’ barrelin’ right outta there and I didn’t much care ta be plaster.”

“You heard it all?”

She saluted. “Yep!”

“Great! Get her some books, make sure there’s tea made—”

“Already got someone ta get it steepin’.”

“—Thank you. Anyway, do that and try to keep our guest happy until I can find Razz and talk city defense with her. Also tell Nelys and Joisse and Sonia, Inva, and Paula… crap.”

Taava blinked. “That’s a bad joke even for you, Boss.”

I shook my head. “No, that’s not it. I’m supposed to talk to Paula this morning, but that’s not going to happen now. Not until we get back probably.”

“Got any heartfelt messages ya need sent her way?”

“A couple.”

“I’m all ears.” She gave me a wide smile, capped with sharp canines.

“Never mind then.”

“You’re cruel, Boss.”

I smiled wickedly. “Demonic Sovereigns tend to be like that, yeah. Well, some of them anyway.”

***

“I understand.”

I blinked at Razz, slouching into the too-small chair that blessedly had a hole for my tail. The dim little dining room’s claustrophobic warmth suddenly seemed a little more comfortable. “I… thank you, Razz.”

Astrye’s new mayor shrugged, leaning back into her own well-worn chair. “Could say I did it since you’d take the chance with or without approval, but really, it’s fine. Good, even. You saw how it is out there.” She gestured out the window, the corners of its many tiny panes dusted with snow. In the distance, the main square was visible, but dark spots of vacant and damaged buildings stuck out like missing teeth without the lights of hearth and candle. “Either we wait here at the mercy of everything that’s suddenly trying to kill us, or we do something about it.

“This is something—and it’s decisive, which is good. Doesn’t give folks time to think. But…” She leaned forward, ears flattening.

I leaned in to match her, and whispered, “But?”

“But you’d better win, yeah? I won’t let it catch on that this could all be a ruse, but for all our sake, even if it is, you’d better come out of this with the culprit’s head on a pike.”

I nodded somberly. “Yeah. I will.”

“Promise?”

“I don’t know that I can—I don’t know enough.”

Razz sighed. “Damn. Guess it’d be two-faced to ask for honesty and then get on you because you won’t lie about a promise.” Despite all that, she smiled. “Now get out of here. I’ve got a lot of prep that needs doing, and I’ll expect Nelys and Joisse to get involved too.”

“Thanks, Razz.”

“Don’t thank me yet.”

I stood. “Sure.”

When I left her, Brynna, and Keran’s home, she followed, locking the door behind her before walking purposefully toward the city center as the predawn light gave way to a sunrise.

As for me, I had to find Nelys and Joisse, check in on Quiraxa, and slip in to see Paula before Seyari got up. There was an outside chance my wife would be too suspicious to go for the plan, but I had to convince her. On top of that, after Paula had made such a journey to get here, I wasn’t about to spit in the face of her effort—I had to pay her a visit.

I took a deep breath of crisp mountain air, held it, and released it slowly. Here’s to hoping this doesn’t all blow up in our faces.