Cosmo’s cobalt wings extended above the stone angel she was hiding behind. Her head peeked out from behind the statue’s head. “I heard my name.”
“Speak of the devil.” Phoenix sat on the edge of the vault’s roof, letting his legs dangle over the side.
Cosmo alighted and sat next to him, then leaned back and studied what he had written. “Justine mentioned me?” she said casually.
Almost too casually.
“Something about stolen pastries.”
Cosmo grinned.
“By the way, Cosmo, the whole point of the Dead Drop is to avoid meeting up, remember? What are you doing lurking around the necropolis?”
“Looking for news.”
“You could have looked from the air.”
“You only follow the rules when it suits you, Phoenix—why should I be any different?” She tucked her hair behind her ears. “For such a rebel as you claim to be, you’re quite stuffy.”
“I am not!”
“Are too. You can’t even bring yourself to admit why you’re hanging around that witch all the time. Some rebel you are.”
Phoenix mustered as much haughty dignity as he could manage. “I hang around Raya because she’s amusing—for a mortal.”
Cosmo laughed. “I knew demons were good at lying, but I never knew any as good as you at lying to themselves.”
“It’s none of your business, anyway.”
“See? Stuffy. I told you so.”
“Oh, go steal a pastry.” Phoenix crossed his arms.
“Not until I get the real news—not this memo to the masses.” She gestured over her shoulder at the writing on the roof.
“I talked to Justine.”
“And?”
“She doesn’t want to get involved—”
A crooked smile touched Cosmo’s lips. “Sounds like Justine.”
“But she agreed to take us to where her brother is hiding out.”
Cosmo looked at him, eyes wide. “He of the flaming sword?”
“The very same.” Phoenix made a motion like swinging a sword horizontally through the air.
“Good luck. You’ll need it.” Cosmo jumped down with agile grace, her blue wings slowing her fall, then looked up at Phoenix when she landed. “When you see Justine—tell her … I haven’t found another bakery I like as much.”
Phoenix made a face. “I’m not telling her that.”
Cosmo showed her teeth when she smiled. “You will or I’ll break your face.”
“All right, calm down, you mad thing. I’ll pass along your message.”
She darted away and disappeared from sight.
