Page 88 of Cursed By Fate

“There’s no coup in the works, Reimu. I plan to leave your bridge realm without a trace, strip this werewolf of Hypnos’s blood, and return to my quiet life.”

Reimu barked a laugh. “You think I won’t be able to keep eyes on the eighth son? No one will even know I’m there unless I want them to.”

She was right. I’d given her enough information to allow her to interfere if it suited her—but we both knew it didn’t suit her. She’d lasted this long for a reason and that reason didn’t involve sticking her nose where it didn’t belong.

I steered her back to the critical topic. “How can I rid the werewolf’s system of Hypnos’s blood?”

“The same ritual he used to transfuse the blood can be used to flush it from his system. You need to break the sealant spell first, though. Otherwise, the ritual won’t work.”

“There’s no spell involved. I checked for evidence of magic.”

She made a dismissive sound. “This isn’t a conjurer’s magic, Aurelia. We’re talking about the ancient magic of the gods. It allows the god’s blood to recycle so it doesn’t need to be transfused again.”

“What kind of ritual are we talking about? Does it have a name?”

“I wish I could tell you. I’ve shared everything I know.”

I believed her. “Thank you, Reimu. I appreciate your transparency.”

“You’ve extracted quite a bit of intel from me, old friend.” She leaned back, expectant.

“Right.” It was considered bad form not to offer something in return for all the information she provided. “I have news about the Coranians.”

“The ancient fae faction?”

“One and the same.”

She examined her nails in apparent disinterest. “They’re old news. Why should I care about them?”

“What’s old is new again. Besides, I always got the impression you were a secret fae sympathizer.”

“Well, I don’t hate them like the Fates do. That much is true.”

“You feel a connection to them,” I said. “Is it the nature element?” Kitsunes and fae both shared a strong affinity for the natural world.

“I would agree that we share a spiritual bond,” she said, “but I serve the gods—and the Fates.” She smiled. “For now.”

I told her that the Coranians were gathering ancient tablet pieces that, once completed, would allow them to reclaim the realm as their own.

She cocked her head. “Why tell me?”

“Because you’re still in the trenches.”

“Oh, please. You and I both know the last place you’d find me is a trench. I’m strictly a messenger.”

“It’s valuable intel, Reimu. Let’s not pretend otherwise. Share when it suits you.”

“Why would you help them after everything they’ve done to you?”

“I’m not helping them. I’m helping humanity. Big difference.”

“The Coranians are sworn enemies to the Fates. If you’re passing on intel, then you’re helping them.”

“I guess I care more about what will happen to millions of innocent people should the Coranians get their way.” I wasn’t obtuse, though. I fully recognized that there’d been innocent fae who’d suffered during the Old War of Attrition when they were forced to flee to the Sídhe. War was hell for all the parties involved, regardless of the winner.

“If I decide to pass along your message, I assume you’d like to be identified as an anonymous source.”

“That would be best for both of us, unless, of course, you intend to betray me.”