I leaned in, my golden eyes flashing with a sharp, needle-like intensity that made her pupils contract.
I whispered so only she could hear, "You're in your backyard now, Morrigan. Tell me... are the demons here as easily fooled by your little act as the boys back home? Or do they already smell how desperate you are?"
Her hand twitched toward the hilt of the curved blade at her waist, but she caught the movement of the royal guards and the silent, murderous promise in the eyes of the lion brothers flanking me.
"The Duke is waiting," she spat, turning on her heel with a sharp flourish of her black silks. "Follow me. And try to keep up. The town doesn't take kindly to those who can't handle the weight of the air."
I watched her walk away, my fingers idly stroking Ashen's white fur. The pup let out a small, satisfied huff, his own golden eyes fixed on the retreating backs of the demon guards.
