Page 165 of Infernium

When we arrived at the gates of Blackwater, Soreth hopped down off the horse. “If you don’t mind, I’d prefer not to be chased by hellhounds. I’ll use my wings.”

“Very well. But should you fly into Farryn’s room, I will happily clip those wings of yours.”

“Of course,” he said, handing me the reins to his horse.

As I watched his wings unfurl, I couldn’t help a small spark of jealousy. How I missed the feeling of the bones pushing through my skin, the wind catching on my fathers, the energy dancing over me. Perhaps one day I would know that feeling again.

My priority for then was keeping Farryn safe.

I cantered up the driveway, with all three dogs chasing after me, and brought the horses to a stop at the cathedral staircase. All three of them barked and snarled, and an upward glance showed Soreth climbing into the library window. A reminder that I needed to fortify some of the entry points.

Once inside the foyer, I took the staircase up to the second floor, noting how quiet it was at that hour. With no sign of Vaszhago outside her door, I peeked into Farryn’s room and crossed the floor to find her snoozing away. Although her eyes remained shut, I could see the swelling around them seemed to have gone down since the day prior. I brushed a finger over her cheek, and she let out a quiet moan, shifting on the bed.

Eyes heavy with sleep, she peered up at me. “Y’home.” She blinked slowly, as if still caught up in dreams. “How’d it go?”

Smiling, I bent forward and planted a kiss to her cheek. “Shhh. Sleep. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

“‘Kay. L’you.” She rolled back over, and within seconds was snoring.

“And I you.” I quietly backed out of her room and found Vaszhago standing just outside of her door.

Wearing a confused expression, he hiked a thumb over his shoulder. “Wanna tell me why I just caught Soreth climbing in through a window?” he asked, telling me why I hadn’t found him guarding Farryn’s room.

Groaning, I rubbed a hand down my face. “Things didn’t exactly go as planned.”

“They rejected an Elysiumerian?”

“Yeah. Seems they don’t want to piss off my father.”

Hands planted on his hips, he shook his head. “Bunch of pussies. All of them.”

“I did visit Venefica.”

“And?”

“She gave me this.” I retrieved the vial of liquid from my coat pocket. “It apparently puts Farryn in a deathlike state, which will force Syrisa out.”

“But …”

“She requires Letifer’s heart as payment.”

Vaszhago shook his head a second time. “Devils blood. That is quite a trade.”

“It is. But if I am successful, I can close the portal to Eradye.”

“And kill your father.”

I cocked a brow, still enticed by the prospect of that. “Exactly.”

“And what of my balls while she’s in this deathlike state?”

“I can’t say. I suspect she’ll begin transitioning to cambion soon.” I glanced back toward the bedroom, catching the slow rise and fall of her chest. “How was she today?”

“Ate a bit, according to Vespyr. Seemed in slightly better spirits.”

“Here’s hoping it stays that way. I’m going to head down to my office to do a bit of reading on what this elixir might contain. I appreciate you passing along the Calling.”

“Of course. I’ll get Soreth locked away in the dungeon.”

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