Pyrok tosses the book over his shoulder. “That’s rude, and actually, I’m at my best drunk and blissfully numb.” He points at me. “Remember that.”
Agree to disagree.
“The little fucker’s gonna thrive,” he continues. “And I’ve raised a Moltenmaw. Ahvi’s right, not only will he start making a lotta noise soon, but he’s gonna stop sleeping so much and get really fuckin’ hungry.Besides—” He drops his gaze and begins massaging another one of Gruffin’s pin feathers loose. “I know this city. Know the good hunting spots. I’ll keep him well fed.”
Wait …what?
I’m about to ask how he’s so familiar with Gore when Kaan says, “This shop is compromised. You can’t wait for us here.”
A little voice cuts in. “Raeve knows a place that’sreallysafe.”
My blood runs cold.
I look at Ahvi, who’s now breathing more comfortably. Makes it a little easier to glare at him.
“Ahvi, we’ve spoken about—”
“He can use the other entrance!” He jerks the veil down off his face so I’m slapped with the full might of his desperate, wide-eyed enthusiasm. “He doesn’t even have to go …up.He can stay downstairs the whole time, and I’ll be so happy knowing how safe Gruffin is.”
This kid.
I spin and stalk to the smashed-in window. Stare out past the hanging bodies while repressing the urge to chew the tips of my fingers.
“Creators,” I mutter, realizing he’s right. Itisthe safest option. Essi spent phases etching that place, making sure it was secure. If I can trust anything … it’s her. Knowing Ahvi feels the same hits like a boot to the chest, making it hard to breathe properly.
I squeeze my eyes shut against the sting flaring across the backs of them, waiting for the sensation to ease. When it doesn’t, I make for the door, keeping my gaze on the ground.
“Follow me.”
The abandoned wind tunnel I’ve only ever been down once before looks different in this bleak light. A tunnel I last entered when I was adjusting my crooked lodgings, making it safe and secure enough for Essi to call ithome. Never imagining I’d need to use this emergency back entrance.
Never imagining I’d lose her.
Fail her.
I release a slow, shuddered breath and stop beside a trash chute. Stuffing my head inside, I look up into the gloom, pocket my ring, and open myself to Bulder—grinding my teeth at the drudging sound of his smooth, too-stable song.
Nothing’s stable, Bulder. It’s all fucked.
“Guit atah eh,” I grit out, whipping back before I get clobbered by the plug of stone that loosens from above, releasing the distant scent of buttermin loaf like a cruel taunt wrung straight from the dark pit of my sadistic imagination.
I point at the hole, meeting Pyrok’s eyes that are mantled by two raised brows. “If you move in there and spin, you’ll find grooves chipped into the chute. Keep climbing until you can’t go any farther. Turn, and you’ll find a hole that’s probably big enough for you to squeeze through.” I look him up and down.“Just.”
“I’ve never been less assured.” He frowns. “Where does it lead, exactly?”
“My living quarters.” I glance down at my hands and dust them on my cloak. Not that they’re dusty, but it gives me something to do.
Somewhere to look that’s not at him or Kaan, who’s standing at the other end of the tunnel with his arms crossed, watching me in the way he does sometimes. When I justknowhe’s shuffling puzzle pieces, putting them together.
Quietly working me out.
“It’s a secret entrance. Moving through it will make you projectile vomit, but it’s not permanent. Apologies.”
Silence stretches.
I look up to see Pryok staring at me, face slack. “Okay … And what if I fall?”
“Don’t. It’s runed against getting blocked. The velvet trogg will be picking her teeth with your bones before the cycle’s through.” I look past him to where Ahvi’s cradling his hatchling, murmuring soft goodbyes. “And the kid will never forgive you.”
