Page 135 of Sunsplitter

Fi saw no benefit in pacifying narcissistic assholes. She stood tall at Antal’s side, bold enough for both of them.

Avroz’s gaze slid down to her stomach, slow with curiosity. And a threat.

“You look well,” he said, not entirely a compliment. “Impressive work, for a vavraesa. Voidwalking.Andhealing. Did Antal teach you?”

“Nope!” she said with her most cheerful tone, her mostfuck yousmile.

The tip of Avroz’s tail gave a minute flick.

Will you be more useful to me than the last one?

Fi would rather carve Avroz’s antlers into little malformed dog whistles than be useful to him. Unfortunately, Antal would have abandoned this deal with his father, if not for her encouragement. An annoying stalemate.

When Antal’s tail brushed her palm, she wrapped her fingers around it. A reassurance.

“Humans can do incredible things,” Antal said. “When given a chance.”

Avroz narrowed his eyes, appraising Antal’s boldness, Fi’s uncompromising glower. Their united front.Thatwas the threat she posed, weighed against her “usefulness.”

Avroz finally wanted to look at her like a threat? Good. She was one.

He’d give them everything they needed out of this deal.

And if he ever hurt Antal again, she’d cut off more than those antlers.

Static snapped her tongue as the rest of their party arrived. Syvr dressed in a light orange tunic, blending with the Autumn forest. Ixli wore her silver armor and dark silviamesh.

Fi had been hesitant about these daeyari. But in Thomaskweld, they’d been different creatures, laughing and smiling, telling stories about young Antal that Fi would hoard as blackmail until her dying breath. Even here, without the excuse of late hours and alcohol, Syvr greeted her with a conspirator’s smirk. Ixli dipped her chin, stoic, but not murderous.

Avroz notedthatas well.

His whole pack, turning against him. Fi devoured his fluster.

“There’s a trail,” Syvr announced. “Near the road. Faint. We didn’t want to risk getting too close, but the aedari has definitely passed through here.”

Fi berated her fluttering heart. Anticipation or fear, it didn’t matter. Just not in front of the carnivores.

“I’m ready,” she said. “Let’s see if that aedari takes the bait.”

When Antal grumbled beside her, Fi squeezed his tail. She’d be fine. The moment the aedari showed himself, a team of daeyari would be ready to back her up.

“Don’t worry, Antal,” Avroz said in that low, skin-peeling tone. “Your vavraesa has proven herself nothing if not resourceful.”

Fi hoped the aedari knocked his fangs out.

Avroz and Syvr left together. He and Ixli had been deemed the strongest combatants, divided between their two groups in case one team encountered the aedari first. Fi felt relief, knowing Ixli would be looking after Antal. That snow-haired lioness would keep him safe.

Fi swung onto Aisinay’s bare back, scales cool against the fabric of her riding pants. A daeyari had,once again, ruined her silviamesh, leaving her waiting for a new set to be tailored. Plain traveling clothes would be more enticing to the aedari, anyway.

A clawed hand gripped Fi’s arm.

She tensed at Ixli staring up at her. Instinct made Fi reachfor her sword hilt, but she didn’t draw. Ixli stood with the calm of a brewing storm, orange and crimson leaves reflected in the polished plates of her armor, eyes keen with something like… acknowledgment. A quiet understanding between two hunters.

“Swing hard,” Ixli said. “If it comes to that. Aedari reinforce their skin with energy currents, shield it with their glyphs. It takes a lot to push through. Aim to take the head off. Use your daeyari energy capsules. Don’t hesitate.”

“I won’t,” Fi promised.

Ixli released her with a nod.