"I thought you forgot about me, honored sister."

Cloud greets me with that predatory grin of hers, the kind that really should look menacing but on her just makes me want to laugh. She's leaned even further into her whole "become a monster" thing since last time. And—thank the saints—she's done it tastefully. Harmonious, even. Her nose is flatter and wider now, odd but not ugly, reminding me of soft little animals instead of something savage. When I hug her, my hands brush the fur along her arms and oh, it's silky. Ridiculously silky. No way that's natural—she definitely cheated on the texture. Nothing that plush is useful for fighting.

"Never. I was…busy."

She chuckles like she knows exactly how full of it I am. Fair.

I clear my throat. "You remember Kii and Alana."

"Mm." Her smirk lands on Alana, who huffs like someone just kicked her shin.

"And the lady with the odd eyes is Butterfly. She's… a guest."

Butterfly's smile is so fake it's practically art. She aims it straight at Cloud, confirming my suspicions that she's been avoiding looking at us, and waves lazily. "Hey, little bear. Don't mind me. Just doing my job—keeping humanity from falling apart."

Cloud snarls but it's playful rather than threatening. "I will be a big bear."

"You sure will. Very big bear." Butterfly flashes me a thumbs-up. "Don't worry, you're strong enough."

Strong enough for what?

Cloud's eyes narrow at her golden gaze. "Beware the man who becomes his tool."

Ouch. That one landed heavier than usual. "Something wrong?" I ask.

Cloud folds her arms. "Would you trust a man who is a sword? Or a hammer? Change your body, you change yourself. To become a tool is to become a tool. A thing with no heart. A thing that is used."

I wince, but not for the reason she thinks. "That's—"

"Startlingly insightful," Butterfly cuts in, with a self-deprecating laugh. "And true. I am a tool. But a tool's worth comes from who uses it, and for what. Right now? I'm being wielded by Lou. Do you really think she'd use me for something vile?"

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Cloud tilts her head. "To use is not to avoid being used in turn."

"Fair," Butterfly admits. "Then the choice is yours, miss little big bear."

Cloud growls low, more puppy than predator, then smiles wanly. "You are afraid. A butterfly in a storm. No, you will not bring ruin. That will be Lou's doing."

I raise my palms. "No trouble today. Actually—I bring good news."

She gestures toward the driver's bench. "Come. Speak your good news. I will show you my home."

I've seen more than enough of the Sanctuary but I don't argue, climbing onto the bench beside Gajin, with Cloud at my side. The others retreat inside to plush seats and shade, but I prefer the spring air and wind on my face. It feels like rinsing cobwebs out of my head.

Cloud leans close. "We should take the long way, through the Blue Step. There are pools there, rivers, and streams. Water kin drifting among lilies. A beautiful sight."

I chuckle. "You're awfully chatty. That excited to see me?"

"Perhaps I am nervous. Wondering if my home will be the next touched by the Menace."

My smile fades like snuffed flame.

Before I can answer, her hand presses my shoulder. A small, sorry weight. Repentant, like a dog who knows it's done wrong. If she had a tail, it'd be drooping.

I pat her hand once and let it go. Quiet acceptance. End of discussion. If Cloud truly feared me, she'd have blocked me at the gate.

I pivot. "Anyway. The opportunity I mentioned? The king's given me Quest. Officially Countess Tome-Delarre now." I wrinkle my nose. "Still getting used to the whole… name inflation thing."

"Congratulations."

"Thanks. It's my job now to put Quest back together."

She studies me. "Fitting."

I grimace. "More like ironic. The Guilds hate me, the guard is about as useful as wet paper, and I need to find a way to enforce order without turning into the same rot I just rooted out."

Curious brows lift. "And this is something we can help you with?"

"I think so. I need people strong enough to handle hunters, tied to the city, and trustworthy enough not to drown themselves in corruption. The Temple fits."

She chuckles. "You overestimate us. Hunters kill kin in packs. We spend lifetimes trying to match just one. We are not casters. We are not soldiers."

I wave it off. "I don't need soldiers. I need people who'll keep the peace—walk drunks home, find missing pets. People who won't turn order into tyranny, or kidnap children the moment things get inconvenient."

A sharp breath cools my irritation before it boils over. "I don't expect you to duel guildmasters. Just… help the city breathe again."

"And when the next Menace appears?"

Good point. "Then you'll have a way to reach me. I'll handle it. I'm hoping the threat alone is enough to scare off the worst. Criminals go for weak prey, right? They'd rather rot in Graywatch than risk my attention. And if something urgent does hit? I'll hire muscle. Someone you trust."

"Generous," she muses. "Too generous for what you could do yourself."

"Except I don't want to."

Her smirk returns. "So you are pushing chores onto us."

I almost roll my eyes. "You make it sound childish. Believe me, if I stayed, everyone would regret it. There's nothing for me in Quest."

"Nothing?" she teases, weakly. Cloud's never subtle when she really wants my attention.

"I've got reasons stacked on reasons. You can listen to me whine about them later over a drink. But for now—"

"Your proposal." She tilts her head. "And the reward?"

I grin, wicked and light. "The best part. How would you like to expand the Sanctuary… into the city?"

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