Page 35 of A Study of Blood and Ichor

He took the seat across from her and tried meeting her gaze which she vehemently refused. Only when Vain began to levitate his glass above his palm and twirl it around as if he were performing a lazy parlor trick, did I notice Ava peeking an occasional glance from the corner of her eyes, but never quite giving us her full attention.

Her masked curiosity and predilection for malice towards him only served to amuse Vain to no end, and he remained delighted in the company of his newest obsession, no matter how far she kept herself at arms-length.

You’re preening, I told him.

And your jealousy is showing, Vain retorted.

Vain sat back during takeoff and studied the witch as he sipped his drink. The color of Ava’s eyes reminded me of the bourbon Vain swirled in his glass. I could probably drink myself away in her eyes as easily as I could a bottle as much as I wanted to despise both, but I felt unable to resist the temptation.

Her muscles were rigid as we ascended through the clouds, and it was only when the plane reached its cruising altitude that her shoulders relaxed, and her chest sank with a long exhale.

“Nervous flier?” Vain taunted.

Ava ignored him. “Didn’t New York go dark years ago?” She asked.

Vain took another sip of bourbon, the ice clinking around in the glass. “Mostly, yes. Your kind still controls parts of the city but were forced to give up the rest when our numbers started to overwhelm them.” Vain thumbed the rim of the glass and cocked his head to one side. “Was that witch back there a friend of yours?”

“Sort of, yeah,” Ava said, then rubbed at her temples. “I was so stupid. I didn’t think someone would try and astral project to find us. And now they all know I’m a traitor.”

“They would have found out eventually.”

Ava’s eyes snapped to Vain for a split second before she turned back to the window. “I suppose they would have.”

She fell silent for a long moment, chewing at her bottom lip.

“So, do you regret your choice?”

Ava paused before answering. “No.”

“And what if you decide that Rory isn’t worth the trouble of saving?”

Her glare was sharper than any blade. “Being able to save even one person is worth it.”

Why the fuck did she care so much? I wasn’t deserving of this woman’s persistence.

“How very noble of you,” Vain said. “I haven’t known many witches in my lifetime that would have done the same in your position.”

Ava’s eyes guttered as she looked away. Her eyelids seemed heavy with traces of exhaustion.

Vain stood to refill his empty glass. “We should be landing in about two hours. Get some rest if you need it,” he said over his shoulder.

Her response was cold and clipped. “I’m fine. Thanks for your concern.”

Vain scoffed lightly and smirked to himself.

What’s the plan when we get back? I asked him.

What do you mean?

If I could have rolled my eyes, I would have. Vain felt my irritation through the bond anyway. You know exactly what I mean. I know you’ve got a revenge plan in mind for Eldin after the shit he pulled.

A sick satisfaction bloomed in our chest. Eager for blood, are we? He poured another finger of bourbon into his glass. We’ll see where this takes us first. Then I’ll decide.

We’ll decide.

Vain smirked again. Of course. We.

When Vain returned to his seat and looked at Ava, I was shocked to find her eyes shut and her head resting up against the window. She had her legs pulled up to her chest, and her skin was spotted with goosebumps.

---