I needed to talk to Cahal.
As my mind worked furiously, my magic found two possible sources for the airless spell. Because it was a spell, not an illusion. The difference was obvious, and I wondered if Lucifer had done this. It seemed more like a Penny situation than his magic. I dissolved them both; fuck it. The threads fell away, and I sucked in a thick, sweet breath.
Part of me wondered if I’d get in trouble, if I was poking the bear, trying to see just how patient and responsive Lucifer would be. I’d already proven I could spot his weaknesses, but maybe, just maybe, I wanted to see the ones that didn’t make him laugh.
The stars disappeared from the sky.
Whoops.
Whatever else I’d done, I couldn’t tell. Would I hear about it?
Cahal cleared his throat, drawing my attention to the easy chair he sat in by the window, a type of lantern magically glowing on the table near him so he could see. The other lights in the room, artful sconces on the walls, didn’t emit enough light for someone to read this far into the room. For him, at least, given he couldn’t see very well in the dark.
“All done?” he asked, closing his book around a torn piece of parchment and placing it on the table in front of him.
A glass canister filled with brown liquid sat at the edge of the table with two crystal glasses beside it. That had to be the demon whiskey. He picked up the canister and poured two glasses.
I fell into the overstuffed armchair near him, the seating set up around the table designed so people could converse. I unlaced and then slipped off my heavy boots before propping my feet onto the coffee table. He handed me a glass before sitting back down with his own drink, his gaze on me. His severe features were softened by the shadow, which made him incredibly striking. I said as much, projecting probably, just needing a compliment myself. Man, I was in a really weird place. I said that, too.
“Shadow visually softens all,” he replied. “But it is only an illusion. The sun will re-emerge and show the sharp edges.”
“Deep.” I took a sip of the demon whiskey, crinkling my nose at the wisp of flowery taste within the punch in the mouth delivered by the alcohol. It was strong, sure, but the weird floral elements were just weird. Still, it would do the trick.
I leaned my head back and closed my eyes.
“Your watcher at the door can hear us,” Cahal said.
Oh right, I’d kicked the doors in.
I flung up an ice barrier to block sound, something I’d picked up from Lucifer’s spell earlier in the day. Very handy, that. Once I’d seen him do it, it seemed so obvious. Then I stitched a hasty, half-assed illusion over the gaping holes so I wouldn’t have to see anything peering in at us.
Silence crept in around us, the air heavy with unsaid words. Cahal waited patiently, and I knew he’d wait all night. He’d wait for years, even, I felt. This wasn’t like when he was trying to get me to out myself and claim my birthright. Now he was…guarding me, it seemed like, as I learned this new facet of myself.
“I’m in a really weird place,” I repeated, and I felt like crying for the first time in…years. When was the last time I’d cried?
“You’re exhausted.”
“Yes. There is that.”
“And you like it down here.”
“I haven’t seen enough of this place to know if I like it down here.”
“Yes, you have. This isn’t the first time you’ve been through.”
“Right, well…” I thought back. “There are definitely parts I do not like. That crazy circus when I first came? Terrible. The worst. The weird desert with that big bird thing? Not awesome. The weird boats and that still river and the leaking ceiling—those are all mind-fucks, and I hate them.”
“You are describing areas that are meant to be…less than ideal. Areas that Lucifer himself does not enjoy traversing, I imagine, though I don’t remember ever hearing about a circus in my time here. This is a very large place, like the Realm. He must allow his citizens their exploits, even though he might not like them.”
“Who could possibly like the water dripping from the ceiling?”
“It doesn’t drip everywhere. Vlad occupies the nicer areas of the Edges, I hear. He clearly doesn’t like those traits any more than you do, and he’s lived through some…unfortunate times.”
I heaved out a sigh, and it felt good to breathe again. “I liked the garden today.”
“Did you stay there the whole time?”
“Yeah, I was working on my magic.” I paused. “And I like the view here. And the castle, except for the gold room, and yes, there were parts on the way here that were lovely. I did want to come back. I always have.”