In the end, I decided the direct approach was best.
I walked across the meadow and up to the Bellati who guarded the gate. He had the typical cold expression and perfect features of the others I’d seen at Victor’s stronghold, and wore the silvery hair bodysuit as well. I noticed he had a series of crystals on cords wound around his wrist.
The only real noticeable difference was that his eyes were a blue so pale they were almost silver. Those that worked for Victor all had a crimson cast to theirs, as if they were tainted by something.
He raised a brow as I drew near. “Didn’t you just get here?” he asked.
I tried to appear uncertain and bookish rather than the fraud I actually was. “I didn’t realize we’d have today free from classes. And I need to get a birthday present for my sister.” I gestured to the gate. “Thought I’d visit Richin and get her something. Constance said I could mail it from here.”
The mention of Constance seemed to answer some unspoken concern. “Don’t linger too long,” he warned me. “The market is okay during the day, but it isn’t someplace you want to hang around at night.”
“I’ll be quick. I know exactly what I want to get her.”
He nodded, then pulled a crystal and cord off his wrist and handed it to me. “This will get you back,” he said. “The Richin gatekeeper has an arrangement with the academy, so just tell her you’re coming here, and she won’t charge you.
He raised his hands, stepped up to the gate, and it swirled into life. The center cleared, and an alley appeared in it.
Seems I wouldn’t need the Richin homing crystal after all. I nodded to him and stepped through. I ignored the gate guards on the other side as if I’d been hopping realms all my life.
The market wasn’t far from the portal through hell, and my stride hitched when I saw it. Slade had told me that Richin was one of the largest and most successful markets across the realms, but I hadn’t been prepared for the reality. As I wound my way through, I understood why the Bellati had thought I might be there all day.
I got caught up in a booth manned by an enormous Centaur. I checked out the knives, which were beautifully made, and tried, but failed, to avoid staring at the vendor. Seen this close, he was truly an impressive specimen.
I used some of the coins Slade had given me to buy another spring-loaded knife and sheath. Figured any fake sister of minewould appreciate a blade. Then I determinedly set course for the south border of the market.
The hotel was right where Slade had said it would be. As I mounted the external staircase, I slipped the room key out of my pocket.
“Thought you’d be fuckin’ fast,” a familiar voice drawled.
Slade leaned on the rail to the external landing. His vivid-blue gaze dropped to the bag I carried. “Doing some shopping?”
“Booth with weapons had some great knives,” I said.
He grunted. “That’s Emmanuel’s stuff. He’s damned talented. Refuses to serve the underworld, though. Something he may not have much fuckin’ choice in for much longer.” He straightened. “Did you get it?”
Why did my pulse suddenly start racing? I forced my hand into my pocket and pulled out the piece of paper. My fingers wereshaking.
Doubt leads to death. My grandmother had drilled that into me. So as Nemi hugged my neck, I clamped down on my reactions and handed Slade the paper.
He unfolded and read it. “Good. I know that place. This should be doable.” The big shifter tucked it into his pocket. “You coming back with me, or do you have more shopping to do?”
“I’m going to stay at the academy until the day of the grab,” I said.
Slade’s brows rose. “You don’t need to.”
“I think it’s best that I do. It’s only one more day.”
“Okay. Having eyes inside leading up to this could be beneficial. But get out before the actual grab,” the shifter warned. “Because we’ll be prodding them with a sharp, pointy stick, so you might not get out afterward.”
He turned and walked into the hotel. I retraced my steps to the market and wandered the aisles while I struggled with my conscience.
It wasn’t something I was accustomed to dealing with. But this ate at me. It was true that, over the years, I had usually avoided deliberate betrayal. It hadn’t always been possible to do so, but if I had the option, I took it.
I told myself that I’d had no choice this time, and it wasn’t a lie. The memory of that Dragon bursting into flame was very fresh in my mind.
But it didn’t help. Not one fucking bit.
Nemi was weirdly quiet, and I worried she needed to eat. I sighed and followed my nose to the food vendors. I’d feed her and grab something for myself.
