Page 30 of Daughter of the Darkened City

Avenay took a step away and turned before stopping and looking over her shoulder. “But I think my most favorite is the title,Queen ofIniquity. Has a nice ring to it.” With that, Avenay turned and walked back to Vasu as if she hadn’t just laid her bare.

Chapter 11: Avenay

The forest canopy blanketed them with cool temperatures that dropped with each step. It was nicer than the heat of the sun on their backs, but as Onora continued to hack away at the path ahead of them, Avenay rubbed her bare arms against the chill. The sun was setting, covering the forest in darkness, the coolness turning to ice.

“Here,” Onora said, pointing to a clearing in the woods. “It’s as best a place as we’ll find to make camp.”

Avenay slipped her pack off and opened it. The elves had given them enchanted bags full of any necessities they would need and madeto feel lighter. It helped but could only do so much, and she sighed with relief when she set it down.

Carrying heavy books had hardly prepared her for all the gear she carried now. She pulled out a pack of food and set it down, then pulled out the small canvas roll that was her tent and stared at it in alarm. While Avenay loved learning, there was always a moment of inertia to get over with anything new. A moment of panic at not knowing something and feeling helpless because of it.

She’d felt that way for years with her sister and her mother before that.

“You shouldn’t need that tonight.”

Avenay kept her eyes down at the voice. Enid crouched in front of her, and Avenay took in the shape of those strong legs.

“No clouds in sight. You’ll be fine with just the blanket.”

Avenay took out the blanket and nodded. “Thanks. I wouldn’t have known how to put the tent together, anyway.”

She gave an awkward laugh and Enid chuckled—a breathy sound that made Avenay’s mind gallop to salacious scenes.

Which was irrational.

She barely knew Enid, and the experiences and accounts weren’t entirely matching up to form a cohesive picture of the demon. Shecertainly was a flirt and partier, like the papers said. But there was something tender about her, too. A care and attention that spoke against the reckless reputation.

Every time she looked into those eyes, she felt like she saw some kindred soul reflected, a spirit so unique and yet the same. It felt like home.

Enid stood, pursing her lips and stretching her hands anxiously, like she wanted to say something. Avenay wished she would. Her own mind was alarmingly blank.

“Enid!” Dryston said, and both females jerked their attention to him. “Kaemon wants to go hunting for dinner. You should go with him.”

“Why don’t you?” she asked, her eyes darting to Avenay for the briefest of moments before looking back.

“I need to keep watch at the camp,” Dryston replied, his gaze slipping to the Hunter that stood on the edge, chopping wood for a fire. Her eyes came up to him,and the glare she leveled in his direction hit Avenay like a punch. Dryston crossed his arms, not backing down, returning her stare, his wings spreading out in a way that made Avenay raise a brow.

The wing flare was a dominant trait, one that was almost compulsive, a way to intimidate a threat and protect their colony by fanning out their wings and blocking them. Enid and Kaemon were a little too spread out for it to help in any real way, but Dryston was nonetheless sending a message to Onora—try anything and he would protect his family at any cost.

Onora only smirked, setting up a log to chop in half.

“Need any help, Hunter? You look exhausted from today’s trek.” Avenay coughed at the derisive tone of Dryston’s voice.

“That dumbass,” Enid muttered.

Onora swiftly brought the ax down on the wood, chopping it in half perfectly, splitting the air with the crack and thump of the wood. “You can only help me in one of two ways, bat.” She set up another, chopping it perfectly as well, her eyes ever watching Dryston. “One—you can shut the fuck up so I don’t have to hear your grating voice. Or two—you can die.” She set up another log and hit it, the sound of the splitting wood the only one in the suddenly tense air. “I’d be more than happy to assist you in the latter.”

Dryston’s nostrils flared at the same time that his wings spanned out further, his jaw ticking. Avenay stood and walked between them toOnora. The woman’s attention darted to her for only a second before she looked back at Dryston.

“I can make the fire,” she said. “It’s probably the only survival skill I have.”

Onora drew in a deep breath, loading her arms with wood. “Yes, thank you.”

Enid whispered something to Dryston, then she walked to Kaemon, and both disappeared into the trees.

“Are you familiar with the woods around this area?” Avenay asked as they walked over. She’d expected an elven ranger and was shocked to see a human instead.

Onora nodded as they came to the center of camp, dropping her wood and kneeling. “The commander wanted more Hunters to be familiar with all of Nemus, and I was curious, so I came. I’ve spent much of my time as a Hunter in the woods and mountains around Elf Glen.”

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