25. Chapter 25

Chapter 25

I stepped down into the underground Temple of Evryn. The stone hallways were becoming vaguely familiar to me. It didn't take long to find my way to the library.

I needed to find Thalia to ask her about Perrin. He was the last person I wanted to rely on, but he had information coming to him somehow. Quickly. He'd found out Caelus and I were in Tiruhm within hours. And we'd need extra people if Thistlewall truly was well defended. Malik would come, but I needed some way to get a message to him, fast.

I had a feeling Perrin could do just that. But I needed to know where he was in the city. Thalia's information about Perrin selling valuables stolen by a group of underground thieves only went so far as a lead. I hoped she might know more. I could have asked Caelus, but I knew he'd refuse the idea without a second thought. Esteban likely would too. So Thalia was my best bet. And I had a favor to ask of her before we left the city.

I found her napping in one of the large armchairs with an open book in her hand. The book started to fall. I darted forward, grabbing it before it hit the floor. I flipped it over to the front cover, and the title wasn't familiar. Fey Legends and History . I smiled and shook my head, not at all surprised to find her reading about history.

I placed it on the small round table, not sure if I should wake her. Dark crescents framed her eyes. Maybe it would be better to come back, but without her help, I wasn't sure if I could find Perrin—I wasn't sure she could help me find him at all. I bit down on the inside of my cheek before turning to leave.

"Eira?" Thalia's sleepy voice called.

Turning back to her, I smiled. "Sorry. Did I wake you?"

She shook her head, stretching in her seat and reminding me of a cat. "Last night was a bit chaotic," she said.

"Really?" I asked, hoping I sounded interested. The disturbance in the castle and Travok's subsequent death wouldn't go unnoticed to the temple.

She pursed her lips. "You haven't heard?"

Feigning ignorance, I shook my head.

She readjusted in her seat and motioned for me to sit. "That's remarkable. I'm not sure I've ever heard news spread so fast." She continued to tell me about the explosion that occurred at the iron castle. The temple was called on to assist with ensuring none of the guests were injured, which included her help as Divine.

It was difficult not to squirm or react. "I stayed home," I lied, "so I haven't heard anything."

She didn't appear entirely convinced, but she didn't push. "Did you need something?"

My eyes drifted to her dark circles, then to her messy curls. "Are you sure you're okay?"

She grinned. "Of course! Let me help you!"

I hesitated a moment and then asked, "When I asked about Perrin before, you said he had a group of underground thieves. Surely they had some sort of hideout or meeting place. Did those stories mention anything like that?"

She frowned. "You're very interested in that man. Let me think." She closed her eyes for several moments before opening them again. They looked different—lighter, or maybe glowing, with a faint touch of gold beneath the hazel. "He used a front. Often pleasure houses or gambling dens. Sometimes a mix of both. The Ruby Lantern on the outskirts of the city is newer. I've heard rumors of women being sold there. But no one has been able to prove it to warrant further investigation."

My fists clenched in my lap. Perrin was awful. Yet Caelus was somehow well-enough acquainted to know that and didn't want to talk about it.

Regardless, the Ruby Lantern was the perfect place to start.

I pressed my lips together. All that was left was to ask Thalia for my favor, but she was clearly exhausted. I didn't want to put more on her by asking her to help with Corrin.

"Eira. I'm your friend. And with all due respect, you look as though your stomach is upset. Do you have something on your mind?"

I smiled. "Right." A nervous laugh broke free. "Well, there's something I'd like you to take care of. I'll be leaving the city soon. I was hoping you'd be able to help get someone back to at least Dusmir. But only if you don't mind."

She popped up from her seat. "Of course!"

I gave Thalia the instructions to my aunt's villa and explained that Caelus's sister, Corrin, would require a guide to Dusmir to ensure her safety. She jumped up and headed off, saying she would pack, and I started for the outskirts of the city toward the Ruby Lantern.

The houses on the outskirts of the city were older than the structures closer to the mountain. Most of the buildings were made of stone and wood. Repaired walls and roofs appeared to have been done with iron, though.

Eventually, I found the Ruby Lantern across from a tavern that was falling apart, with wooden sides reinforced by iron. The Ruby Lantern, however, looked out of place. Red everflame lanterns hung outside the building, but they were unlit. The outside was made from a dark-iron, though there were still stone columns along the outside. I wondered if it was to help it look more like it belonged—though it hadn't helped.

I stepped through the door, and pungent incense burned my eyes. Patrons glanced at me, but I ignored their stares.

People played cards while women in sheer red dresses I wasn't certain counted as clothing danced. Some sat in the laps of guests, flirting and caressing. The women all wore matching ribbons around their necks. A man and woman sat on a velvet couch, growing very close. Hands palmed breasts and drifted toward intimate places all throughout the establishment. But the wooden stage along the wall was empty.

Hoping it didn't show that I'd never been in such a place before, I refocused on the back counter where a voluptuous woman was polishing glasses. Her dress was the same as the red ones, but in black. Glass bottles of liquor lined the wall behind her, and the beautiful woman greeted me with a smile. She, too, wore a ribbon around her neck. From where I stood, I could see another set of stairs behind the counter that led down.

"I suggest looking elsewhere for work if you're going to fluster over what you've seen so far, honey," she said.

I cleared my throat. "I'm not looking for work. Do you know Perrin?"

She stilled. "Forget you ever heard that name," she whispered.

"I need to speak with him."

Her eyes darted toward a door that was visible on the upper level. The girl standing near it knocked lightly and stepped inside. "Perrin doesn't take customers, I'm afraid."

"Oh, I'm not looking for that . We had a deal."

Her lips pursed. "You should leave."

"I'm afraid I won't."

She narrowed her eyes and opened her mouth to speak again, but the door above swung open. Her mouth snapped shut.

Perrin leaned against the doorway, shirtless, and his lips pressed into a thin line.

A lock of my hair fell in my face from a citrus breeze. That didn't take long . I'd known there was a good possibility that Caelus might come find me. I hoped he wouldn't—or at least, that he would take longer.

Caelus stalked to my side, his gaze locked on Perrin.

Perrin stepped back, and then went inside the room, leaving the door open behind him. A silent invitation. Without waiting for Caelus, I started for the room. Caelus grabbed my forearm. "What are you doing?"

"Hopefully getting us help," I said, pulling my arm from his grasp.

Caelus huffed behind me, but I knew he followed from the lingering citrus in the air around me, even if I didn't hear his footsteps. The door closed on its own behind us. Lit candles scattered what appeared to be a bedroom. A desk sat in the center with nothing on it. Two velvet chairs sat before it.

Perrin sat in a throne-like chair on the other side of the barren desk, his mouth pressed to a woman's neck. She writhed in his lap, her soft breasts swaying. Moans escaped her red lips. My face burned at the sight, and Caelus crossed his arms, clearing his throat.

Perrin pulled away from her neck and his tongue flicked out, licking her bruised tan skin. He flashed Caelus a venomous smile, and then his eyes latched onto me. "How unexpected, Lady Quinn."

My heart thundered in my chest. He didn't just say that. Did he? My body remained frozen, unable to do anything but stare at him.

Gods, I'd been foolish. Of course the first thing he'd do would be say my name. The man seemed to thrive on chaos. My only solace was that he'd said it in a secluded room.

I glanced at Caelus, but his focus remained on Perrin, his body tense and ready to pounce. What's he thinking?

Being a Quinn was irrelevant since I hadn't claimed the name and people believed me to be dead. But the more people who knew, the riskier it was—the more likely it would end with me not having a choice and being forced into the role. That list of people was growing the longer I was away from the temple.

With a deep breath, I composed myself.

Perrin's gaze flicked to Caelus. "And you've brought my favorite lost asset with you."

I had no idea what that meant, but it was likely why Caelus had refused to talk about him. The tension in Caelus's jaw was the only indication that Perrin had struck a nerve.

"Celeste. Lora. You said they were escorted away. Tell me where." My voice came out shakier than I'd wanted.

I didn't think it was possible, but Perrin's smile grew more wicked. "How demanding. For someone who prefers to play dead, you certainly suit the role you so adamantly want to forget."

My fingers dug into my palms, and I took another deep breath. "I didn't find the person you told me about. So where are they?"

He tapped a finger on the chair's wooden arm, his other skimming against the woman's side. Her back arched at his touch, her short dark hair brushing her shoulders. "What do I get?"

I didn't want to give him anything, but our deal was for information. "Ebonhammer is dead," I tried.

He laughed, the sound cold—dark. "As if I didn't already know that. Everyone paying a visit since last night is talking about it. I doubt even an hour passed before it reached my doors."

"He was already dying," I tried again.

Perrin's finger stopped, and he looked intrigued. Good.

"How contradictory to all the information stating he was in good health. Why is it you say otherwise?" Perrin asked.

Caelus shifted closer to me, his upper arm brushing against me, and he shot me a concerned look. A silent warning to be careful.

I debated telling him about Ebonhammer leeching life through a cannibalistic ritual, but that information in the wrong hands would be devastating. The Ebonhammer name would be ruined if the public knew, and while I didn't know Iker well, he was probably better—maybe even good—for this city.

"He toyed with rituals. Sought a way to elongate his life, like you said. It didn't work out," I said, each word chosen carefully.

The woman in Perrin's lap shifted, and she whispered in Perrin's ear. Her hands slid down his muscled chest and dipped lower than I could see from over the desk.

"What sort of ritual?" he asked, ignoring her.

"I believe you've received more than enough information for the location of two people," Caelus interjected.

Perrin grinned. "The Wolf speaks."

Wolf?

Perrin tapped his finger again. The woman's arm moved in a steady motion, and his eyes hooded. I fought the urge to turn away. "To Lord Whistlemane with a redheaded man."

Lightning danced through my veins, prickling against my skin to be released. "Why?"

Perrin shrugged, unwilling to divulge any more information.

My fists clenched at my sides. Had the order come from Lord Whistlemane, or had it been that Abyssal mimicking him? If it was a labryn from the Abyss, what did it want? Teeg, I could at least fathom. As the Golden Child, he'd be valuable for his esprit alone. But why two humans?

"How fast can you get a message to someone in Dusmir?" I asked.

He narrowed his eyes. "And why would I do that, Lady Quinn? Unless you have something else to tell me?"

I managed not to flinch at the emphasis he put on my name and let some of the lightning slip free, sliding over my skin. Harmless, but enough to be a reminder of who and what I still was. "Because we have a deal. If I plan to save them and die in the process, you'll lose an informant." The word tasted bitter in my mouth, but it was true.

Perrin's smile faded to a bored expression. "It would be an inconvenience. Not one I couldn't live without, however." His gaze shifted to Caelus. "Perhaps if you could ensure I'd go unnoticed in Ryseer . . ."

My jaw tightened. Going unnoticed in Ryseer wasn't something I could offer, but Caelus could. I didn't know enough about their history to understand why Perrin couldn't remain "unnoticed" in Ryseer, but allowing it had to be a bad idea.

"Why? You seem well off here. I'm sure the basement is already set up," Caelus sneered.

I resisted the urge to ask what Caelus meant, knowing deep down he was likely referring to that tidbit of information Thalia had mentioned about the possible unsavory business being conducted here.

Perrin snarled, displacing the woman who had been stroking him beneath the desk. She repositioned herself on the arm of the chair, pouting, her red-brown eyes narrowing on us.

"This brothel screams well off to you? This worthless city in the mountains is nothing."

Caelus smiled. It was different from the ones I'd seen before. Wolf echoed in my mind.

Perrin allegedly sold stolen valuables and more. Not many people came to Tiruhm, even less in winter. Business wasn't good, then.

"You have a confident smile for someone willing to let her die too."

Caelus's smile faltered at the corners, and he squeezed his biceps.

I placed my hand on his arm. Caelus shouldn't have to choose. I'd have to find another way to get a message to Malik.

Caelus's gaze dipped down to me. I shook my head, hoping he understood.

His stormy eyes flicked back to Perrin. "You may come back to Ryseer if you send Lady Quinn's message," Caelus said calmly.

Perrin thought it over for a moment. "I will send her message wherever she wishes, but you mustn't interfere once I return."

Caelus approached the desk and held out his hand. Perrin took it, and they shook. Caelus added, "As long as no one in Ryseer is harmed."

A flicker of glittering dark red smoke ensnared their forearms. Red swirls formed along Perrin's arm down to the tips of his fingers, like a tattoo—the ancient fey tattoos I'd only ever read about. But he'd been wearing long-sleeves and gloves when he'd forced me into our deal. He hid them .

The woman on the arm of the chair watched, intrigued. Her eyes almost looked red thanks to the smoke.

Perrin's fingers squeezed Caelus's hand, his knuckles blanching. "You've grown cleverer." He released Caelus's hand, but he may as well have thrown it to the side. "Write your message."

With a puff of that same smoke, a torn scrap of paper appeared in front of me, along with a glass dip-pen and inkpot. I jotted a message to Malik, doing my best to be vague while conveying urgency, and passed it to Caelus to add any additional information he deemed necessary.

Once he was done, he folded it in half and gave it to Perrin, who flipped it open and read it, and then the note disappeared from his grasp in a wisp of that red smoke. His mouth pressed against the woman's throat again, and I took it as a dismissal.

We emerged from that small room, a heavy silence falling between Caelus and me. Several eyes fell to us, and my guess was that few saw Perrin privately—if that could even be considered private. Before we'd even made it to the stairs leading down to the ground level, moaning sounded from the room behind us.

We weaved through the crowded city streets, and neither of us spoke. Once we were in the residential area leading to my aunt's house, the crowd thinned. Questions about Caelus bubbled in my mind. I knew he'd have questions of his own after our encounter with Perrin, though.

"How did you know where I was?" I asked finally, no longer able to bear the silence.

"Your friend told me, Lady Quinn ."

The way he said "Lady Quinn" should have left me nervous that he knew my true identity, but instead it sent little shivers across my body. "Don't call me that," I said. Luckily no one around us reacted.

Caelus's hand grasped my arm. Air wrapped around us, sending wisps of my dark hair flying around my face. In a blur, we were surrounded by floral scents. His arms caged me against a stone wall. A quick glance revealed we were in my aunt's garden, hidden by a hedge of cherry laurels.

"Going to Perrin was dangerous," Caelus said.

I met his hard, thunderous gaze. "We needed a plan."

"Then you should have stayed and talked with everyone before running off."

"You would've stopped me."

He smirked, a hint of that wolflike smile I'd seen him give Perrin slipping through. "Correct."

"Because you worked for him?"

He chuckled, his warm breath caressing my cheek. "Perceptive—but not quite." His eyes searched mine for a moment. "My family needed money. Leaving him has left him less than forgiving. Especially after I had him exiled from the city." Then he leaned in and whispered, "We all have our secrets. Yours is safe."

My breath hitched, his proximity intoxicating. "And if he lied?"

"Perrin doesn't lie. Which is why it came as a surprise to me when Corrin told me she'd been captive for three days. Before you told him anything."

"What?"

He shifted, leaving one side of me free from being caged by him. I took a deep breath, but leather and spring rain engulfed me.

"It seems I owe you an apology, Lady Eira ." He twirled a lock of my black hair through his fingers.

My face flushed. "You shouldn't call me that."

He grinned. "I do believe you've told me that before. But you should know that my anger was never toward you."

I frowned, crossing my arms. "I'm supposed to believe that?"

He nodded, continuing to weave that lock of hair through his agile fingers. "I was angry, but never at you."

"It certainly seemed that way." That loathsome look in his eyes when I'd told him about Perrin flashed in my mind.

"My anger was at myself. At Perrin. At being unable to keep those I care about safe again."

Again?

"Even I struggle to rein in my emotions, my lady ."

"Gods, you aren't going to stop, are you?"

He shook his head. "I'm afraid you make teasing you far too enjoyable."

I smiled, and his gaze dipped to my lips. That kiss flooded my mind, leaving my body hot despite the chilled air around us. He tipped forward, and I thought he might kiss me again, but instead his soft lips brushed the shell of my ear. "Travok's son is waiting for you. It seems he's interested in helping us. It only seems fitting to let you decide, Lady Eira."