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Without hesitation, he sweeps us both into his arms and launches us all in an arc to the window, his powerful wings sweeping open only enough to gain momentum. His claws catch the sheer masonry, and I make quick work of opening the window, which is unlocked.
Dark elves are so full of themselves, I think as we slip into a fine hall, dim save for a few stray sconces burning with illumination magic. It’s a small sense of victory that finds me as we search the rooms for Dirnyn or one of his allies.
“I’ll search this way,” Mirose whispers, taking the west wing as we move to the east. Zyranth doesn’t let me out of his sight, and I’m glad for his company, even if it does compromise this mission of ours.
But it’s not Dirnyn we find.
One of the doors opens on its own, and a female dark elf in servant’s clothes steps through, freezing upon the sight of Zyranth. His wings unfurl, and I swear I catch a glimpse of murderous glee written across his face.
I stand between them, doing my best impression of a concerned friend. “We’re just looking for Dirnyn. We have no intention of harming anyone.”
It doesn’t seem as if she believes me, scrambling off like a terrified iypin.
I whip around to chide Zyranth. “Do you have to be so intimidating?”
His upper lip rises to expose powerful, sharp teeth as he grunts noncommittally. “She’s a dark elf.”
“So? She could help us.”
“She could kill us too.” His remark is so casual, but I can see the hurt he tries to hide. It tempers my irritation, and I want to tell him everything is going to be okay. But I cannot divine the future, so I say nothing.
A smooth timbre behind me sets my hair on end. “Well, isn’t this a surprise? I didn’t believe her when she sputtered on about a monster in my manor.”
It’s Zyranth’s dark expression I see first, that unfettered loathing for dark elves, when I realize we’ve found our host. “Dirnyn,” I manage, pivoting to take him in. I’ve never seen him before, but I recognize the cruelty in his ethereal countenance.
“I should have you both dragged to Everan as a peace offering. I’m sure he’d love to have his little flesh toys back.”
Icy terror grips me.
Anythingbut that. “You’d better kill us now,” I dare to whisper, feeling the air stir around us as Zyranth spreads his wings, “Because my friend here doesn’t suffer dark elves.”
Dirnyn issues a sneer. “Do you think I’m frightened of a human and her…” He looks Zyranth up and down with a measure of disinterest. “Abomination?”
A low snarl rises behind me.
“You should be,” I warn. “But we didn’t come for a fight. We need your help.”
Mild curiosity raises one of Dirnyn’s perfect eyebrows, but the gesture feels curated. “Is that so?”
“We have it on good authority that you hate Lord Everan as much as we do,” I ramble, trying to get it all out before either of these idiots makes a move, or this tentative truce will be over before it begins.
My voice grows more confident as I continue, realizing how strong I can be if I have to defend the ones I love. “You are in his good graces, and you can get closer than we ever could. He has what you want, and we can help you get it. But we can’t do it without you.”
Dirnyn looks as if he’s earnestly considering my words, his gaze flitting over me with a keen sort of interest. I know it well enough to hate it. It’s exactly how Lord Everan looked at me when he had me in his clutches.
“Or, I could just keep you myself.”
My resolve wavers. Are they all the same?
The heat from Zyranth intensifies as if his rage is boiling over. It’s only a matter of time before he ignores my warning and lunges at our host. I have to stop it before it’s too late, taking a step forward to appeal to Dirnyn. “I’m sure you could, but you won’t. If you do without dispatching Lord Everan, he’ll come after you all the same, and you won’t have a chance of taking his title or possessions.”
There’s a flicker of doubt.
But then, Dirnyn’s gaze shoots past me, past Zyranth, and softens.
I look too, finding Mirose standing in the shadows, looking rather guilty. “Hi, Dirnyn.”
Dirnyn doesn’t hesitate to sweep past us, snubbing Zyranth and their standoff. “Mirose, what are you doing here? I thought you were still trapped…”
