Page 47 of Songs of Vice

The Naga raised his face and gave me a censoring look. My voice has grown hard which was a mistake. I lowered my head. All this fake posturing was pointless when he could worm his way through my mind so easily. He was right, though. I didn’t wish to disrespect him—in general—but especially because I wanted something from him.

“You know,Sai…” he whispered and met my gaze as if he threatened to use my true name. A shiver of revulsion coursed down me, and he smirked. “I don’t involve myself in fairy politics. I’m a neutral party.”

Well, that was only partially true. It was less that he was neutral and more that he was most loyal to himself.

The Naga chuckled, his snake lower half curling tighter as he popped another bite into his mouth and chewed it slowly before speaking. “You know me so well, Sai. I’ve always liked you.”

“That doesn’t sound very neutral.”

“It doesn’t, does it?”

He paused, and I took a step forward. The water flowed under my clothing and tickled my skin. “It’s a small ask, really. I swear we won’t kill anyone. All we wish is to retrieve stolen items.”

“Items.” The Naga shoved the bag onto a rocky shelf behind him. “Plural?”

“They have the Memoria Globe.”

“That’s not even a Prasanna court item. How is that retrieving stolen goods?”

“We plan to return it to the court it belongs to.”

The Naga stretched out, his dark hair flowing in a current as his eyes glowed. “Most fae believe the war wiped out the Alegre and Froh fairies a century ago.”

“Most fae haven’t seen the world like I have. They don’t know that just because a bear is dormant, doesn’t mean it’s gone from the woods.”

“Hmm…” The Naga blinked, his eyelids closing horizontally, and he dashed his fork tongue out. “And you’ve already paid me so richly.”

“What do you mean?” He didn’t reference the bag of treats. Those were bribery to have a favorable audience with him.

“Lira.” He drew her name out with a hiss, and it sent a bolt of terror down my spine. “Her fear is positively decadent.”

I jumped forward, fisting my hands. “Leave her the fuck alone.”

“Oh.” The Naga rose, uncurling his body so that he towered over me. “Have I finally found your soft spot?”

“She doesn’t deserve whatever you’re doing to her. She wasn’t the one who came here to bargain.”

His eyes brightened again, and he drew close enough he could touch me, curl his hands around my throat and watch bubbles slip up this imaginary river as my spirit left my body. “I’ve done nothing to her. The fear is already there. She’s terrified of everything, and you’re scared for her. It will strengthen me for days. I may not even have to visit a mortal city for a week, at least. So, name what you want.”

“You already know.”

I fought the urge to fight him, to jump on him and demand he release Lira. It was my fault she was here. I shouldn’t have brought her.

The Naga laughed, and bubbles peeled through his lips. “I have advice for you, Sai, because I like you.”

“What’s that?”

“You’re soon to err. Your warring desires and the actions you take from them will harm you more than you presently understand.”

I winced. “Will this plan go poorly? Will it hurt someone in my group?”

He sighed and lifted his face to the glimmering sunlight that danced on the river’s surface above. “You know I don’t reveal futures.”

I firmed my stance. “If you don’t wish to advise me on what different decisions I should make, I don’t see the point of this advice.”

“I’m a neutral party. I cannot give you an advantage.”

“Then, unless you’re just enjoying my company, perhaps we could finish up?”

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