Page 130 of The Girl Who Only Died Once

“Did he now,” Ambra says, voice sweet, and Chloe’s never heard that tone from her before.

“She said she knew abominations, and one that was with a dud, I asked,” Killian throws out there, a quick defense that Chloe didn’t anticipate. “She gave up nothing that would endanger you or yours.”

Ambra grins, her baring of teeth, but at Killian, not at Chloe. “And you thought it best to keep her isolated away?”

“Hey,” Chloe interrupts, but neither of them pay her attention. “I’m perfectly capable of making my own decisions here.”

“She’s safe,” Killian says, and this time, there’s a threat in his tone.

“Chloe,” Ambra starts, but still only stares at Killian, “how did you hurt your ribs?”

Killian glowers at the other demon.

And Chloe’s ribs are so much better it takes her a few blinks to remember they were even injured.

“Taking down a base,” Chloe answers, and Ambra doesn’t even glance at her. “I mean, there was a battle, I got away with some bruises.”

“Hmm. Battle,” Ambra says, matter of factly.

“Oh, hey, we knew I’d probably face some fights in all of this,” Chloe says, shifting, and her shoes squelch in the mud. “That’s the entire reason for me bringing the gun.”

“Another demon was helping them create another Terese project, they tried to blanket the room,” Killian says, and it’s only knowing Ambra so well that Chloe can catch the surprise flickering over her face. “Chloe shot them, but she—and the three other humans in the room—also sustained injuries while I tried to fight it off.”

“Why were you there?” Ambra asks, finally turning to Chloe. “You could’ve sent in the demon, made him do your dirty work, and stayed out of harm's way.”

“I can’t ‘make’ him do things,” Chloe says, and she’s not quite sure what she’s prickly about, but she sure doesn’t like this conversation. “Also, the place was full of demon traps, and we had my goals, too.”

“He didn’t shield you?” Ambra asks, voice dipping down but unbothered by Killian overhearing.

“I did,” Killian responds, disgruntled. “Blanketing the room took priority, she would’ve died with just a shield.”

Chloe glances back over to him, and he’s squinting at Ambra, barely disguised frustration over his face.

And the entire conversation is ridiculous.

“Okay, stop,” Chloe says, taking another step away, until she’s right in the middle of the two demons. “I’m not understanding what weird demon confrontation is going on right now, but something is. Killian, Ambra’s not gonna hurt me and she’s not gonna force me to stop.” At that, Killian’s shoulders relax, just a bit. “Ambra, can you tell me why you needed to check up on me? Is there something critical?”

Ambra obviously absorbs that, frowning as she thinks Chloe’s statement through, before she rubs her face. “Everyone is worried,” she says, finally, and it’s softer. Less posturing. “You haven’t checked in; when you do, you’re usually saying something bad or terrifying, and Delina keeps on getting this feeling that you’re in danger of dying.”

Killian and Chloe exchange glances.

“Alette keeps on hearing about this mysterious other group taking down bases, she thinks you’ll be caught up in that. The Half Demon is worried you’re going to get captured, he’s stressing Gurlien out, and Zoel—” There, Ambra makes a face, and Killian mirrors it. “Says that the Wights think you’re being held captive by the ‘insane demon.’”

“Am I the insane one in this situation?” Killian asks, but at least his tone is less confrontational.

“Yes,” Ambra replies briskly.

“Why would I be the one considered insane between the two of us?” Killian shoots back, but there’s a glimmer of something nicer in him, and Ambra smirks in response.

Another odd demon interaction, one that flies right over Chloe’s head.

“So…you’re worried,” Chloe summarizes, and Ambra takes a beat, before nodding.

“I wasn’t sure if you would answer honestly in a text,” Ambra says, and this time, she looks away, like the amount of emotionalhonesty is a bit too much. “Gurlien says you try to deflect too much to know if it’s true.”

“Hey,” Chloe says mildly.

“That is accurate,” Killian says, and his face is less tense, less wary. “I’ve seen those texts.”

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