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Magnus scrubbed a hand down his face and shook his head. “Let’s never do that again, aye?”

“Lovely.”

“Now what?”

“We begin the farce.” Lyriat considered him for a second before reaching into an inner pocket on his open-front tunic and producing a swirling black marble. “And we keep this in mind.”

“What is this, exactly?”

“A toll to summon Araxis. He and I made a deal.”

“First off, that makes no sense. What could Axie possibly have to do with any of this?”

“Call it a hunch. Second?”

“That business with Brand and taking his blood…” Mag’s gut clenched. “Are you sure— What if he’s— Fuck, I can’t even say it.”

“What if he’s the imposter? I’m sorry, are we under the impression that shapeshifters can mist now?”

“How the fuck should I know?”

“Shapeshifters are Fae, Magnus. Only Nachthellians can mist, and only the two of them at that.”

“Right.” Mag had a lot of feelings about the things his littlest brother had done, but he let the relief wash over him. The rest could wait. “Good.”

“This stays between you and me.” Lyriat gripped his shoulder, giving him a little shake. “I need you at your best and most convincing. Can you do it?”

Stars above, Pet. What a question. Can I?

—I think you must, Maggie⁠—

“Aye.”

“Good. And I was wrong. We do have a clue, my friend.”

“What’s that?”

“There’s only a single other person he’s gone after more than once. Someone who can identify him.”

Mag sifted through all the shite, trying to find who he could be⁠—

—Lad—

Sisters save him from the madness.

“Fern.” Magnus snorted, running both hands through his filthy hair. “Who can’t remember a damned fucking thing.”

Lunara was dangerously close to nodding off when the wall surrounding Magnus and Lyriat finally dissolved.

“I won’t let you do it, Lyriat!”

Lyriat shook his head, huffing as he pushed by Magnus and made for the Great Hall. “It’s not up to you, my friend.”

“Friend?” Magnus growled and jogged to catch up. “A friend wouldn’t do this.”

Lunara didn’t bother trying to be sneaky as she followed a few steps behind, hidden as she was in the ether.

“Unfortunately, family comes before friendship. That doesn’t make you less of a friend.”