Page 62 of Voidwalker
He might be more likely to do so if Fi helped.
She didn’t want to. By the endless Void, she’d rather shut her eyes and hope for someone better than her to sort this mess. But it washermess.
“Do you want help?” she asked.
The daeyari’s head tilted. He surveyed her from tip to toe, the baffled part of his mouth slowly sinking to a frown.
“Fromyou?” he said.
“Yes, from me. I’m more useful with an energy sword.”
“Your debt is repaid.”
“I heard you. And I’m offering to help.”
“I thought you were eager to be rid of me?”
“I’m eager to get you back where you belong.” She pointed over the trees in, vaguely, the direction of Thomaskweld. “But the last time I saw you confront another daeyari? Things didn’t go well. So do you want backup, or not?”
Antal stared at her so long, it felt like an intimidation tactic. His facial expressions came and went like river ice, jaw tight and focus fierce enough to send a chill down her neck. The tail,though. It swayed behind him, shifting from sharp arcs into something smoother. Contemplative. Fi played the only card she had: chin up, no hint of surrender.
The act came easier with strangers, those who didn’t know her well enough to spot the lie.
“If you wish,” he conceded.
Fi’s heart skipped with triumph. And a sliver of terror. “When?”
“Now. I suppose.”
“Now?” She considered her flannel pajamas, the tangled hair she’d forgotten to brush that morning. “Wait here. Don’t leave without me.”
His eyes were arrows through her ribs. Not for the first time, Fi struggled to interpret his scowl as seething annoyance… or bafflement.
“And risk your ire, Fionamara?” he said, flat. “I would never.”
If Fi were feeling bold, she might admit some satisfaction in flustering this daeyari. A life raft, when otherwise she’d be drowning.
She ducked inside. If she had to confront another immortal, she’d do it armed this time. Her silviamesh bodysuit slipped on like a second skin, slate gray fabric with purple lining to accent her curves. She donned her boots, a wool coat, transport stone in her pocket. And her sword. Fi kissed the hilt then clipped it to her belt.
A kind gesture, returning these to her. Fi had to be cautious thinking such things. The daeyari had fangs, even if they weren’t eager for her throat at the moment.
Testament to her frazzled state, she nearly left the house like this. On further thought, she swung by her mirror to apply a quick eyeshadow and dark lipstick. Wrapped her Void-and-rainbow hair around energy-heated fingers to refresh the curls.When she stepped outside, cold pressed her silviamesh-coated calves.
Aisinay had wandered from the trees to inspect their visitor. Antal held glacially still as the Void horse smelled him, tail low by his ankles. Aisinay nibbled his collar.
Traitor.
Antal broke his narrowed gaze from the horse, turning an even narrower look over Fi, slowing a moment too long over the curves hugged by her bodysuit. A crack in his stone facade.
“Did you… curl your hair?” he accused.
“Thanks for noticing. Never underestimate the importance of looking fierce. Not thatyouhave to worry, born with claws at the ready.”
Something tight crossed his face, before snapping back to impassive.
He offered a clawed hand. Fi recoiled.
“Do wehaveto teleport?” she complained. “I’m a Voidwalker, we can use Curtains.”
