That first day, Daphne had taken one look at Xenia in all her bedraggled, frizzy-haired glory, and promptly used a commstone to call security.
Xenia had rushed out of the building before she was escorted out. Or worse.
That interactionhadbeen a bit unlucky, even Xenia would admit that.
But afterward, what could it have been other than luck that had guided her to a human shelter mere blocks away, nestled between two skyscrapers? Perhaps it was the Goddess Letha smiling down upon her, grateful for all Xenia’s years of service at her namesake Temple in Thalenn. Actually, the sparse, simple accommodations at the shelter reminded Xenia of her Temple quarters, and the two Beastrunner females who ran the place were the kindest Fae she’d yet met on the continent. They’d fed her, allowed her to bathe, and had given her a place to sleep in between attempts to breach the wall of Daphne.
Xenia had even made a few new friends among the other humans, mostly victims of the Fae traffickers. Some had escaped their bonds, others had been discarded by their masters. But to a one, they held out hope of returning to the colonies and to their families. Xenia promised to plead their case with Ohan as soon as she could gain an audience with him.
They’d all thanked her for the offer, even as they warned her away from her own plans. They were shocked she wanted to journeyfartherinto the continent. Especially given the unrest from the burgeoning Teles Chrysos rebellion. They said the continent was more dangerous now for humans than it had ever been, despite the rebels fighting on their behalf.
They sounded far too much like Cael.
Xenia shrugged them off, fully believing in the luck that had seen her this far.
Luck that had delivered her a wonderful gift today.
Daphne wasgone.
Xenia tried not to squeal with excitement as she entered the building, the automatic glass doors whooshing shut behind her. She crossed the sleek, marble-floored lobby, shoulders back, confidence soaring with every step.
She plastered on a friendly smile that wavered only slightly when Daphne’s cream-winged replacement did not match it.
“Can I help you?” The Windrider’s nose crinkled as he raked upturned black eyes over her filthy dress—the sky-blue one she’d been living in, sleeping in, for the past week. She couldn’t tell if he was more insulted by her attire, her scent, or her humanity. Probably all three.
“I’m here to see Ohan Stolia,” she said with only a slight wobble. She cheered herself for her courage.
The Windrider crossed his arms and rustled his feathers. “Do you have an appointment?”
“No, I don’t. But I’m sure he’d want to meet with me.”
The male pursed his lips to signal he wasn’t sure of that at all. Xenia brushed her knuckles along the hilt of her dagger. Well, Cass’s dagger. The one Cael had given her to return to her friend. The Windrider’s gaze dipped to the weapon, tied at Xenia’s hip with a crude piece of rope.
“Your name?” The words oozed off his tongue.
Despite his obvious disdain, Xenia’s heart leapt. This was far further than she’d ever gotten with Daphne.
“Xenia. Xenia Cirillo. We share a friend in common—Cael Zephyrus.”
A tiny flash of recognition lit up the male’s face. He may not have heard of Cael, but he certainly knew Cael’s last namethanks to his famous father—Arran Zephyrus, High Councilor of Brachos.
The Windrider whispered a message into his palm.
Xenia caught the phraseyoung human femaleand thought she heard him repeat her name, though she couldn’t be sure.
He crossed his arms, glaring beneath lowered brows as he awaited an answer to his windwhisper.
Beneath his right ear, his violet commstone glowed and a forced grin exposed sharp canines. “Head on up. Twenty-fifth floor. He’ll be waiting for you.” He tapped a screen on the desk and the waist-high gate to Xenia’s left opened. Before she could cross through, he snatched her upper arm. “Leave the dagger. No weapons allowed within the building.”
Xenia hesitated, her fist clenched around the hilt. The weapon was more than just a means of protection. It was a token of hope. The gift she’d offer Cassandra if—no,when—she saw her friend again. Giving it up felt like abandoning that possibility.
“Hurry up,” the Windrider spat. “Master Stolia is an extremely busy male.”
Xenia sighed, then handed over the dagger. She’d tell Ohan, ask him to give it back to her. Right after she had a very long chat with him about hisrudestaff.
Her mood buoyed as she approached the bank of elevators. It was happening. She’d soon be on her way out of Rhamnos and on her way toward Cael.
She day-dreamed about their reunion as she waited for the elevator. Upon first sight, he’d likely be upset that she’d gambled with her safety. But he’d soften. She knew he would.
