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The closer they ca Gaius, theto blindly atteh to have it locked away

Not when

She griht be harht, she aze "It was contained by the Oracles by a rift in space"

"When?"

Santiago moved to stand directly behind her shoulder at Baine’s sharp tone, but he was sh to keep the sword at his side

"I don’t have an exact date," she ad"

"The Veil," Baine murmured

"Yes"

An odd purring filled the air Not the cute purring of a kitten, but the lethal vibration of an irritated dragon

"I should have suspected the idiots were hiding soo demanded

A tiny wisp of son’s opinion of the ultimate leaders of demon kind

"They have tried to pass thees who rule the deht beyond justice" He ust "When the truth is o muttered

Nefri studied Baine’s finely carved features, sensing his dislike of the Oracles was more personal than irritation with their positions of authority

"You weren’t aware of why they created the Veil?" she asked

"No" Another wisp of sht skiers down the curve of her spine As if she needed the silent warning to be careful The very air was heating with Baine’s rising teerous enough to prompt the Oracles to bar it from the mortal world," she carefully confessed "And that it’s currently traveling with a vampire named Gaius"

"And you believe the va intense e the humans with his bite Fear, violence, lust" She shook her head in frustration Until she understood how and why he was infecting hu into contact with him "We don’t know if it’s a deliberate act or a symptom of his own sickness"

The aon Rather a the beast was rue of thousands of species

Then, without warning, ahis lips "Intense e with a sinuous motion, Baine paced across the narrow roo a rash of unease over Nefri’s skin

"It really is the perfect irony," he murmured

"Do you know this spirit?" Nefri asked

"Perhaps"

"Are you going to share?" Santiago snapped

Nefri elbowed hio," she muttered

Baine slowly turned back "I must consider what I’m prepared to reveal"

"Thank you" Nefri dipped her head in respect "We would appreciate any information you can share"

"Ever the diplomat, eh, beautiful Nefri?" Baine drawled

Nefri shot a chiding glance toward the va at her side "It’s necessary when surrounded by impetuousglance toward Santiago, at the sa a slender hand toward the double doors on the opposite side of the throne With a faint squeak one door swung slowly inward, as if it hadn’t been opened in centuries