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“Stuff.”

“Come on. Cielo made scones with me this morning, and we have coffee.”

I don’t usually just walk into a stranger’s house, but I need answers, and this may be the only time I get the answers I need.

I follow them inside, taking in the cozy living room filled with plants and knickknacks. I see that there is bedding on the back porch, but I don’t ask about it, just linger awkwardly in the doorway and watch as Cielo and Dante make their way into the quaint kitchen.

I inhale and scent vanilla and flour in the air, and my stomach rumbles. I forgot to eat this morning when I decided to be Scooby fucking Doo.

“Go on, sit.”

I do as he says, the cushions sinking beneath me as Cielo walks over and hands me a cup of hot coffee and a scone.

I take it from him, and he lowers himself onto the floor, pulling Dante onto his lap and nuzzling his face into his neck.

I shift awkwardly at the outward display of affection. I don’t mind it. I’m just a little jealous.

“Why are you helping me?” I finally ask, taking a bite of my scone and chewing.

Not bad, I think. I should tell Zinni and Hepyn to consider making some of these and selling them.

“Well, you seem nice, and I’ve been where you are. So many questions about the Vyastil but so few answers.”

I swallow and take a long sip of my coffee. “Yeah, alright. Only, this isn’t about the Vyastil.”

I assess them when I say that, watching as Cielo’s eyes narrow and Dante’s widen. Can I trust them? I think so. I mean, his brother is Luca, who is partnered up with Eissa, one of the high-ranking leaders. And Dante seems cool…

Although Zinni said not to tell anyone.

But fuck, something’s going on, and I hate being left out.

“What do you mean?” Dante finally asks when I say nothing for far too long.

“Can you keep a secret?”

“Girl,” Dante drawls with a laugh. “We’re a house of secrets up in here.”

That makes my lips twitch, and I fiddle with my lip ring for a moment before sighing. “So you know my bosses? Zinni and Hepyn?”

Cielo cocks his head, his ears fluttering as I speak.

“Yeah, we do. Not, like, personally, but they seem nice,” Dante says.

“Yeah, well, do you know that…” I hesitate a moment and then think fuck it. “…that one of them isn’t a Vyastil?”

Cielo stiffens, and I see him hold onto Dante a little tighter.

“Yeah, though we don’t speak about it,” Dante says. “Luca says it’s important not to. It could be dangerous.”

“Yeah,” I nod, setting the scone down and wiping my sweaty hands on my jeans. “Do you know what Hepyn is, then?”

Cielo speaks now, his words soft and melodic. “He is a Vorthex.”

“What’s that mean?” I ask when he doesn’t explain.

“They live in the ssssskys. They have weeeengs.”

I shake my head and think about Hepyn. “Hepyn doesn’t,” I murmur.