Page 46 of Grimoire Omens

I smiled. “That’s my kitty. Take care of Flo for me, would you?”

“I will do my best, but she is as stubborn as you.”

“One last thing.” I flipped open the book until I found the right page and tore it out. “Just in case shit with Gryvak goes sideways, probably best he can’t get his hands on this. Make sure you and Flo hide it somewhere good.”

“You expect me to fail?” Ulseere’s dry response, the first thing he’d said since his declaration we had to leave.

“Just not taking any chances. I’d rather not be the reason for a demonic invasion of Ottawa.” I paused before adding, “Again.”

“I do believe the shower just shut off,” Cedric announced.

“We’d better get going.” On impulse, I patted Cedric’s head—and he didn’t rip off my hand. If I survived what was to come, I’d to do my best to untether him from the Grimoire because no one deserved to be forced to serve.

We hightailed it from the room, the Grimoire tucked in the paper bag that brought breakfast, our pace rapid as we hit the stairwell, not waiting for the elevator. Only six floors to ground level. Even I could handle that.

What ended up being hardest? Walking away from the hotel not knowing if I’d ever again see my best friend.

12

A glamoured Ulseere set a rapid pace as we headed away from the hotel. My fingers clenched tight around the flimsy cardboard handles of the bag with the book that started the trouble. To distract myself from the sense I abandoned my bestie, I chattered.

“How come you aren’t allergic to the sun like the demons are?”

“They are creatures born in the bowels of darkness, whereas the umbradriad are from the surface.”

“If you’re from above ground, then why the gray skin?” Probably a rude thing to ask, but on Earth, we had theories that environment contributed to the different flesh tones.

“Some theorize we, too, once came from under the crust of our land but adapted.”

“Guess that would explain why you’re called shadow elves. Are there different types of your kind? Blue elves? Green? Short ones?”

“While there have long been rumors of fair-skinned Elves, no one living has ever seen or provided proof of their existence.”

“I assume your people have explored every inch of Infernal?”

“Our continent, yes, and while we’ve sailed the ocean surrounding us, we’ve never found any other land masses.”

“Could be they went extinct.”

“Very possible and likely the umbradriad were the cause.”

“I swear you enjoy dropping these I’m-so-big-and-bad statements.”

The corner of his mouth lifted. “Because I am big and bad. Or will I need to prove myself again?”

My cheeks heated. “Yes, but not on account I don’t believe. More because I really like it when you do.”

His laughter proved unexpected. “You never say what I expect.”

“Is that a bad thing?”

“No. Infernal nobility is constantly involved in games of intrigue, which includes much lying. The ladies aren’t much better than the males, as they often will manipulate to improve their status. So your frankness is not only welcome but enjoyable. A pity I can’t introduce you to some of the royals. You’d certainly shock them.”

“Do humans ever end up in your world?”

“They do, usually because they’ve somehow managed to open a doorway and wandered through.”

“And?” I prodded, sensing something he wanted to avoid saying.