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The idea of walking into a monster city with a metaphorical target on my back is daunting. Terrifying even. I've seen what monsters can do, and it could easily turn ugly fast.
"Why can’t he just come here?” I ask. “That seems way easier.”
“You’re not wrong. I considered that at first, but the more I think about it, the more complicated it seems,” he explains. “If we bring Ignatius here, Rafe will know automatically that something’s up. There’s no disguising that kind of magic, and I haven’t exactly told him our plans. I’m hoping I won’t have to.”
“Are you serious?” I drop my voice to a whisper and glare at him, suddenly worried the walls have ears and that Rafe is listening in.
Elio doesn’t seem bothered. He must know something I don’t know, or he’s lying about telling Rafe. He presses on, “Also, Rafe doesn’t let just anyone come to the mansion. It’s well hidden for a reason—he doesn’t want random people knowing his secrets, and whileI’mfriends with Ignatius, Rafe is not.”
“Does Rafe have any friends?” I mumble.
Elio smirks. “Debatable.”
“Okay, what about meeting halfway or something?” I’m still trying to help problem-solve. And avoid walking straight into a metaphorical lion’s den.
“I don’t think it’s wise to be out in the open,” he explains. “And I’m honestly not sure what he’ll need to figure out what’s in your blood. I know I said I’m part warlock, but the only thing I can do is open portals. That’s all that was ever taught to me.”
My head is spinning. I wish I had more time to think about it—consider all our options and possibly come up with some alternatives—but the sooner we get this figured out, the better. If this warlock proves I’m a monster, it will solve the mystery of the portal and stop the rumors. I might even get to go home.
“Do you have a plan to get us there?” I cock my head to the side. “You said it won’t be easy.”
“I do,” he assures me. “But I’m working out the kinks. Masking your scent will be the hardest part, but I think we can do it.”
It might be my desperation talking, or it might be the fact that I’ve grown way too trusting of Azarius and Elio, but I’m willing to try. It seems like our best shot at getting all of this sorted out.
Elio is attentive to details and incredibly smart, so I know he’ll handle the difficulties of the plan. And Azarius has already promised to protect me. He won’t let anyone hurt me if he can help it.
“Okay.” I nod. “Let’s do it.”
For a second, Elio looks shocked. I don’t think he expected me to agree so easily, or he might have asked while Azarius was present.
“Are you sure?” he asks, but I think he’s trying to reassure himself more than anything.
“Yep.” I turn and round the corner of the building. Elio quickly catches up and falls in step beside me. “When do you want to do it?”
Not to my surprise, he’s already got an answer.
“Rafe will be traveling in a few days,” he says. “I don’t know how long he’ll be gone. Sometimes he goes for a few days, and other times he’s gone for weeks. I think we should do it then.”
“That’s probably a good idea.” I nod in agreement. “Where’s he going?”
I look over in time to see him shrug. “There’s information that he doesn’t trust us with, and I’ve learned over the years that it’s better not to ask. My guess would be that he’s going to personally check in with some of his more powerful allies to discuss the next steps, but he could just as easily be going to a brothel.”
I snort out a laugh. “A monster brothel?”
“You laugh,” he says with a nod. “But I wouldn’t be surprised.”
“Murderous plants and monster brothels.” Not to mention Elio suggesting I could have both him and Azarius if I wanted them. “I don’t think anything can surprise me anymore.”
ChapterThirteen
Devyn
Ilied.
Despite trying to convince myself that nothing else could surprise me, I am absolutely shocked by what I’m about to do. I’m standing in the middle of Elio’s bedroom, which is dripping in maroon and gold from the floor to the ceiling, covering my nose with the end of my shirt while Azarius sits on the floor crushing up the most rancid-smelling plant I’ve ever seen in a bowl.
Elio’s solution for disguising my scent is the rank sap from these roots. They’re going to cover me with it.
