Page 51 of Glutton for Punishment

“A skirt? Seriously?” She says, riding the edge of something that looks a lot like a meltdown.

I blink at her once, confused. I let myself tune into the bond, and her fiery rage hits me. With a hint of amusement.

I lean against the doorframe and cross my arms. “You always wear skirts.”

“False.” She snaps back. “The academy always makes me wear skirts. This is not the academy. So if you don’t want me to walk around in my underwear, I would—”

“Whoa, whoa.” I push off the frame, holding up a hand. “No need to threaten streaking through a city full of deranged lushes. I can get you pants.”

“…Good,” she says after a beat, like she’s deciding not to escalate further. “Preferably something I can fight in if I need to.”

"Of course."

“And if you’re taking requests,” she adds, following me in, “I’d also take a sword.”

This girl is too cute.

A smile threatens, but I shove it down. “A sword?” I echo flat.

“Yes.” She lifts her chin, red soft curls falling away from her face. “That’s what I train with. It’s my combat weapon of choice.”

“Yeah, I’m not getting you a sword.” The edge cracks just enough—my grin slipping loose for a second.

“Ugh—”

“I’ll teach you how to use a gun.” I cut her off, already moving again. “Much more efficient in Gluttony. Trust me.”

She snaps. “I’m from fucking Wrath,” voice rising. “I know how to use a gun.”

A small laugh breaks out of me before I can stop it, and I notice the surprise on her face.

Hell, it surprises me.

“Look,” I say, shaking my head, still half amused. “We’ll get you whatever weapons you want. I’ll order a grenade launcher if that’s what you’re after. Just—” I gesture further into the room. “Come inside. We need to talk.”

“…Okay,” she mutters, the fight draining just enough as she steps in.

I move automatically, grabbing a shirt off the back of a chair, tossing it aside, clearing space until I pause mid-motion.

I’m… cleaning?

The hell.

“You’re looking a lot better today,” I say, glancing over at her. “How are you healing so fast? The potions we have on hand here wouldn’t have healed the scars.”

“Oh—” she hesitates. “Um. I actually got my hands on something that helps me heal.”

Huh? My face scrunches in confusion.

“Probably why I’m still alive,” she adds, flat, looking anywhere but at me.

Right. One thing at a time.

“This girl and her secrets…” I mutter under my breath, then straighten.

“Look,” I say, tone shifting. “I wanted to talk to you because… my father has summoned us and, unfortunately, saying no isn’t an option. If I could, I would run you back to my territory as fast as possible, but it would make this situation even more dangerous.”

All the color drains from her face.