Chapter 27

Ursula hurried into her quarters, pulling open her door. Once inside, she shut the it behind her listening for the familiar click of the lock. For the first time in her visit to the Shadow Realm, she actually appreciated the sound.

She ran for the bathroom, kneeling in front of the toilet, then heaved up her dinner. As she wiped a shaking hand across her mouth, she tried not to think about Abrax.

He’d corrupted the oneiroi. And she didn’t know what he wanted to do to her—only that everything about him horrified her. What did he mean—she’s not a normal demon, nor a normal human?

She peeled off her blood-soaked dress, letting it drop to the floor. He sensed something about her, something that stoked his perverse desires. What sort of an abomination was she?

She grabbed a cloth, running warm water over it, and washed herself off. In a daze, she snatched a fresh nightgown from upstairs, and slipped into it. Half of her wanted to go to Cera, but Bael was already with her. He’d slaughtered her brother, yes. But he still viewed himself as her protector.

Sunlight streamed in through the window, but tired as she was, she’d be able to sleep through it. She curled up onto the sofa and let her eyes drift shut.

She slept fitfully, dreaming of the reaper she’d slaughtered today. Remus chased her through a forest of bones, and Massu waited for her in a desolate wasteland. Each dream ended as they pulled her down and into the unending abyss of Nyxobas’s void.

“Ursula?” A female voice jolted her from her sleep.

Ursula rubbed her eyes, blinking at Cera, her eyes red-rimmed.

An image flashed in her mind—Bael’s knife slashing through Massu’s throat.

“Cera?” She sat up, throwing her arms around Cera. “I’m so sorry about Massu.”

“Abrax killed him,” said Cera softly.

“What do you mean?” she loosened her grasp.

“The lord... Abrax killed his soul when he fed him raw meat.”

Ursula nodded. “I hope to kill Abrax some day.”

“Another thing we have in common,” said Cera grimly.

The rich scent of food wafted past Ursula’s nostrils.

Ursula frowned. “Please tell me you didn’t cook. You should be mourning, not making me breakfast.”

“I didn’t cook. The lord instructed another of his servants to cook for us.”

Ursula arched an eyebrow. “He’s okay with us eating together? He said it was dangerous for us to be friends.”

Cera shrugged. “I think he figures we’re in danger no matter what. Might as well not be alone for it.” Cera beckoned her to the bar. “Come. Join me.”

Ursula stood, crossing to the bar. Since she’d puked up her dinner last night, her stomach was completely empty. Her mouth watered at the sight of orange juice, fresh fruit, toast, eggs, and a carafe of coffee. Cera had already set out two plates.

Ursula took a seat next to Cera and scooped eggs and fruit onto a plate. Ravenous, she dug in, working her way through the eggs and toast. She took a sip of coffee, then glanced at Cera.

The oneiroi pushed her food around on her plate.

“Not hungry?” asked Ursula.

“Not today.”

“It will take time, I imagine,” said Ursula.

“I hadn’t seen him in decades. I guess in some ways, I’d mourned him already. But I didn’t need to watch him die.”

Ursula nodded. “Bael said to use lavender for the nightmares.”

Cera grinned. “He is wise. And what does he have planned for you today?”

“I’m not entirely sure. He said he was going to train me to ride one of the bats, but then we had a big argument, and he said I was a monster, and I said he lived in a void like Nyxobas because he was scared of emotions.”

Cera stared at her.

Ursula sipped her coffee. “So anyway, I’m not sure if he’s still going to help me.”

“Well, if he does plan to train you, the main thing is to hold on tight. It’s really not that difficult if you remember to respect the bat.”

“How do you do that?” Ursula asked.

“You talk to them. They’ll respond to your instructions.”

“They know English?”

“No, but they understand tone and inflection.”

A knock sounded on the door, and Ursula jumped up. Guess we’re still on, then. “I’ll get it.” She hurried across the floor, flinging open the front door.

With the sunlight streaming behind him, Bael stood in the doorway, dressed in black riding leathers. His gaze trailed over her nightgown.

Of course, she hadn’t bothered to get dressed before she flung open the door. But then—after their conversation yesterday—she had the strongest urge to distract him out of spite.

“Hello, Bael. Come on in.” She turned, knowing that he’d get a full view of the nightgown’s plunging backline.

“Do you plan to wear clothes to this training?”

“Thinking about it,” she said, turning back to him. She let the sleeve of her nightgown fall down, exposing her shoulder, but not so far that he could see her breast.

His gray eyes pierced right through her. “Are you doing this on purpose?”

Cera cleared her throat. “I feel it’s time for me to leave.”

“Not yet,” said Bael, his eyes still locked on Ursula. “Please help Ursula find some clothes.”

Cera let out an exasperated sigh. “Honestly, I don’t know what’s going on with you two.”

As Cera hurried toward the stairwell, Ursula called out, “Make sure it’s not too distracting for Bael! He gets distracted easily.”

His jaw tightened.

She crossed her arms. “Wouldn’t want you falling off your bat.”

Bael’s features softened, and he glanced away. “Is Cera okay?”

“As good as can be expected. She wants to murder Abrax, but that is perfectly reasonable.”

Bael stared at the floor. “I had to kill Massu. Abrax had driven him insane. Once corrupted, there is no returning from the madness.”

Ursula nodded. “I know. Plus, he was about to mess up your pretty face.”

Bael glared at her. “Pretty?” He spat the word like an insult.

Cera’s footsteps thundered down the stairs, and she bustled into the room with a bundle of clothes in her arms.

“That was fast,” said Bael.

Cera nodded at the pile. “These should be appropriate for training.”

“Thank you, Cera.”

Bael nodded, his gaze landing on the top of the pile—on the lacy black knickers and bra.

He turned to walk for the door. “I’ll meet you on the roof.” When he was halfway to the door, he turned to face Cera, nodding so deeply it was almost a bow. “I’m sorry for your loss.”