We left Vin at the flower shop.

  Starna was quiet as we rode back to the embassy; there was a lot to think about and even more to report back to my cousin. I didn’t blame her for wanting to be alone with her thoughts, since the magnitude of our mission had just exploded. We were dealing with material that could start another Great War, and it didn’t have to be voiced just how inexperienced we were. If Vin wasn’t the easiest way for us to get on the island, then I would ask my cousin to send someone else that was a lot more experienced, like my dad.

  When we reached the embassy, Starna hurried to one of the side rooms, which was probably the one where she’d showered and changed earlier. The glow stones sprang to life as I walked down the hall. I was used to using lanterns when I needed light, but I’d gotten used to walking around in almost complete darkness. Almost all of the others on the members of the crew had either night vision or could see in the dark, which meant there weren’t a lot of lights, and definitely not any magical ones.

  I felt like royalty as I walked to the room where I’d left Tempest. The irony that I was royalty wasn’t lost on me, but I wasn’t sure that I’d ever get used to the finer things. I had been raised on the sea and all of the buttons and clasps had me feeling like I was part of the rigging.

  I touched the unconscious woman’s neck to make sure she was still unconscious, then went back to the main room and changed into my travel clothes. The staff had washed them while we were out, which I hadn’t been expecting. Once I was back in my own clothes, I felt more like myself. I pushed the weariness from the day away and walked back into the other room.

  I used my ability on the unconscious woman to pull her out of mana depletion and wake her up. She was still weak, but at least she wouldn’t be able to cast a spell and her ability would wash over me not that I was promised to Starna.

  The thought drew a smile across my face. I’d never been able to fully embrace the ‘girl in every port’ mentality that most of the crew had. Now that I’d found someone that I enjoyed being around on a daily basis, I felt like I was even stronger.

  I poked the woman laying on the bed beside me in the leg. “I know you’re awake.”

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  The Succubus didn’t stop her slow, rhythmic breathing. I sighed and touched her arm, checking her vitals. The wave of exhaustion that I should have felt if she was asleep never crested.

  Satisfied that I’d confirmed my suspicions, I stood up and walked over to the wall, so I could lean on it while I talked to her. “You already know that I’m a sineater. What I just did was verify that you are awake, so you can either keep pretending and not participate in this conversation or I can talk.”

  The voluptuous blonde didn’t stir, so I continued. “Right now, I have to decide what to do with you. Defending yourself is one thing, but attacking someone who offers you a hand isn’t something that I can ignore.” I paused. “Turning you over to the Elves is a death sentence and I’d rather not do something that drastic until I’ve heard your side of things.”

  The fake Elf on the bed opened a single eye. “You’re going to turn me over anyway.”

  “I only kill my enemies.” I smirked. “And if you haven’t noticed, I’ve got multiple senates trying to kill me, so I’m not exactly the biggest fan of the Elves at the moment.”

  “Or ever.” I added mentally. How the stuck-up race managed to stay in power was beyond me. At some point, I would have thought the other races would have had enough and usurped the senates, but it hadn’t happened yet and I doubted it ever would.

  “Don’t lie to me.” Tempest struggled to pull herself up enough to half-sit, half-lean on the pillows at the head of the bed. “I can feel that Elf girl all over you.”

  “I don’t condemn a person for the crimes of their people.” I shook my head. “Starna’s uncle killed my parents.” I eyed the Succubus to see if what I was trying to say was getting through. “So tell me your story and I’ll decide what to do to you based on who you are, not what others think you are.”

  The pretty blonde started laughing, though she was still so weak that it came out as more of a wheeze, which turned into a coughing fit.

  I shook my head. “Look, what do you have to lose?” I waited for her to catch her breath. “If I’m going to kill you anyway, then talking lets you live longer and maybe you’ll go free.”

  Tempest stared at me for a moment before her face softened and she touched her neck. “Your demon…”

  “I fixed it.” I waved my hand. “The venom from the Camadt’s bite is gone.”

  She let out a sigh of relief and let herself sink onto the pillows. “Fine.” She turned her head to look at me. “What do you want to know?”

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