The rumors about the Defiled were becoming unbearable. Whispers followed Ravyn’s every move whenever she left the Emberlynn estate. Oftentimes she couldn’t make them out, and she had to ask Bally to stop passing her the information. Unless it was paramount that she heard it, Bally had nothing more to say on the matter.

Tristan offered on a few occasions to discuss the matter with Emberlynn, but Ravyn was adamant about speaking to her alone. She didn’t want Emberlynn to worm her way through his heart and use her debilitations as a method to manipulate him.

That boy is much too soft.

Ravyn stood in front of a full-length mirror, observing the changes Yukari had made to her [Combat Mode] attire. Where before the dress fell down to just above her ankles, much of the fabric had been trimmed, creating a skirt more in line with what she wore before.

She bent over, viewing herself from the side, and noticed a subtle flash of her undergarments. “Keh. Can’t wait to tease Matt like this,” she muttered. Gone were the sandals, replaced by thigh-high stockings that matched the red and gold theming of her new clothes. And what a relief, too. Those sandals were a pain in her tail to walk around in. “Yeah. This is more me.”

She put a hand on her hip, wriggled side to side, then clicked her tongue. The chest piece could use some adjustments as well. In fact, the entire outfit was still much too demure—too modest—for her liking. But altering much more and she’d risk ruining the Enchantments. As much of a cunt as he was, it was a decent enough gesture from Cailu, and she couldn’t argue with a boost to her magical prowess.

Can’t believe he’s slithered his way into my family. She crossed her arms. Breathe. Focus on the tasks at hand. You can burn him alive at a later date.

“[Civilian Mode],” Ravyn said. The new silks disappeared in a flash, replaced by her traditional Shulan attire. She stepped out of her room, raising her arm. Bally swooped down from a nearby lamp filled with a bright garnet, tilting his head. “Good morning, Bally.”

Bally nuzzled against the crook of her arm, and she scratched him between the feathers on his neck. Life in the estate with Sophia and Emberlynn was going to take some getting used to. Her time spent going to school, making friends, and being a foolish teenager had ended over a decade ago. The amicable relationship she had with her mother was now little more than a strained acquaintance.

And it’ll only get worse once Tristan leaves.

Ravyn started downstairs, using the palm of her hand to play with Bally’s face. The familiar hummed and leaned into her touch, and she offered a hum of her own in return. Silverware clinked in the distance from one of the guest rooms down the hall. She took a deep breath and strode forward, peeking around the corner to see Tristan seated with Destiny, Lara, and Yanni.

“Oh, hey, Ravyn!” Tristan said as he waved to her. “Come on over.”

“Wind had a lot to say about her this morning,” Lara hissed to Destiny.

Ravyn rolled her eyes and took the seat across from Lara. “Mou ii. It’s too early for this shit.”

“May I provide you with a delightful cup of tea?” Yanni offered as she rose to her feet.

“Yeah, fine.” Ravyn gestured her arm forward, and Bally hopped off, plucking a peanut from a bowl at the center.

“How are you holding up?” Tristan asked.

“Fine. Just tired.”

“Don’t worry, Ravyn. We’ll return as soon as we discuss our plan with Melody,” Destiny said, her brow furrowed. She’d seemed awfully determined as of late, and she and Tristan were spending more and more time together. Ravyn had her reservations, but she liked to believe her mother’s vote would sway them to at least hear Tristan out. “We’ll make you proud!”

Ravyn worried about them. Tristan was smart, but he couldn’t learn all of San Island’s roachshit in a day. Destiny and Lara mean well, but it’s clear they can’t keep up with the complexity of the conversations. And Yanni… She looked at Yanni, and the woman returned her gaze, blinking. Fuck, I don’t think she cares, so long as Emberlynn stands to gain something from this.

How detestable. She was worrying over them as if they were her kittens. Groaning, she crossed her arms and bent one lengthy leg over the other.

“She doesn’t trust us,” Lara whispered.

“I can hear you,” Ravyn said.

“Worry not,” Yanni said. “I will be with them. As Madame Emberlynn’s ambassador, I will see to it that your plan is properly represented.”

“I’m sure.”

“Squawwwwwwk!” Bally cried. “More peanuts! Squawwwk!”

The breakfast continued like this for some time. Platitudes filled the air, and Ravyn struggled to stay awake. Occasionally, Destiny would chime in with more words of encouragement, and Ravyn would nod and smile. Bally munched on peanuts until the very end when Tristan and his Party rose to their feet.

“I think we should get going,” Tristan said with a hint of sadness in his voice. “Will you see us out, Ravyn?”

Ravyn leaned her chin into her palm and drummed her fingers across her cheek. “Someone who isn’t out to make a profit should see you off, I suppose.”

Chairs squeaked and screeched as each person rose from the table and walked toward the hallway. Servants bowed and offered their thanks as they passed, stopping only when an airy cough caught their attention.

“Mother,” Ravyn muttered as Emberlynn approached from the end of the hallway. A servant walked her down the corridor with her hand on her back. Unbelievable that she still refused to use a cane.

“That glower ill suits you,” Emberlynn said. Even now, as sick and useless as she was, she still had the nerve to look down on her. “Straighten your back and see our guests off with a smile.”

Ravyn snickered. “Sure, Mother.”

Tristan rubbed the back of his neck and averted his gaze. “Uh, thank you for your hospitality, Madame Emberlynn.” He proffered his hand. “It was a pleasure to meet you.”

Emberlynn met him with a smile and shook his hand. “You will forgive me for being as harsh as I was.” She eyed Ravyn. “My daughter and I call it ‘the dance.’”

Tristan kissed the top of Emberlynn’s hand. “Thank you for teaching me the steps.”

Emberlynn raised her brows. “You will make a fine man when you are older.”

“Implying he isn’t a man now?” Ravyn said.

“Not everything is a game, daughter.”

Liar.

“I apologize for how my sister and I acted,” Destiny said as she offered a bow befitting a Shi Island maid.

Emberlynn shook her head. “Think nothing of it, child.”

“We should leave,” Yanni suggested, then directed her attention to Emberlynn. “Madame Emberlynn, you have done me a great honor by selecting me as your ambassador. I will see to it that you are properly represented and that Tristan and his Party are given the respect they deserve.”

“I know you will. Now, off you go.”

“Tell Sophie that I loved meeting her,” Lara said. “It was wonderful to meet someone else who can talk to the Elements.”

“I shall.”

Yanni pushed the doors to the estate open and gestured to Tristan and the others to follow. Waves were shared and goodbyes were said on their way out, and once the doors were closed, Emberlynn met Ravyn with a sharp gaze.

“You wish to say something, so out with it,” Emberlynn snapped as she shook away her servant’s hands. The servant flinched and took a step back.

The mask drops. “I want answers.” Ravyn looked at the servant. “Some privacy? This is between us.”

“Y-yes, mistress,” the servant said, bowing before leaving.

When they were alone, Emberlynn glanced over her shoulder, then tilted her head as she studied her daughter. “This is about the Defiled, is it not?”

“What do you think? For starters, how in the fuck did something like that live under the ground without your knowledge?” Ravyn hissed. “Do you know what they’re saying out there? What they think of you? Of us?”

Emberlynn cackled. “Since when did you care what others thought?”

“Don’t change the subject, Mother. Answer me.”

“It matters not what they say. I’m in control here. It will pass. It always does.”

Ravyn's eyes widened. “It will pass? Mother. People are dead. Does that not mean anything to you?”

“Am I to weep for every death Zhuli suffers? Every miscarriage? Every Defiled that entrenches itself here?” She scoffed. “You know nothing of our lineage.”

“Maybe you’re the one who forgot.” Ravyn ground her teeth. “What happened to you? I thought we had something. I thought I had a mother who loved and cared about not just her daughter but her people as well.”

“And I thought I had a daughter whom I could trust to carry on our family legacy. But then she abandoned me.” A twisted smile tugged at the corner of her lips. “It seems you and I aren’t so different after all, are we?”

Ravyn balled her hands into fists. She wanted so desperately to burn this entire fucking place to the ground. Watch the smolders glow and laugh as the ashes rose into the sky. The very woman who was supposed to protect Zhuli’s people—ensure their success and livelihood—saw them as little more than a means to an end.

“I am nothing like you,” Ravyn said.

Emberlynn coughed into her elbow. A line of drool followed as she drew back to wipe her mouth.

“You still haven’t told me,” Ravyn continued. “Answer me as to why this Defiled lived for as long as it did. It killed dozens of catgirls.”

Emberlynn paused. “Do you have proof that it was responsible for every disappearance?"

Ravyn scoffed. “Did Yanni tell you nothing?”

“She gave me a detailed report of the events.”

“Are you deliberately ignoring her report?”

Emberlynn’s eyes narrowed. “Only certain citizens are accounted for. ‘Dozens’ is a bold statement, Ravyn.”

“I can’t believe what I’m hearing right now,” Ravyn said. “Yanni’s friend died. She’s dead. Does that mean nothing to you? Did she even tell you?”

“No. She did not.”

Ravyn gawked. Her body trembled with fury. “Un-fucking-believable. The trust she has for you.”

“The Defiled was well hidden, from how Yanni explained it to me,” Emberlynn said. “How were we supposed to find a beast who does not wish to be found?”

“I won’t accept an answer like that.” Ravyn shook her head. “Not from you. Not from [Arbiter] Emberlynn. I know what [Arbiter]s are capable of, Mother. I’ve watched you my entire life! You…” A chill suddenly swept over her. Her head felt heavy, and goosebumps covered her arms as the realization set in. This was no accident. “You could have prevented all of this.”

Emberlynn sighed and bowed her head. “Any answer I could provide would be insufficient. I am not the woman I used to be.” She wrung her hands. “I will double the guard duty for the time being.”

“And what about the victims’ families?” Ravyn snapped.

“I will see to it that they are remunerated.”

“That… Fine,” Ravyn relented.

“Oh? Where did your vim go?” Emberlynn cocked a brow.

“Nowhere,” she lied. “I’m just tired.” She shouldered past Emberlynn, raising her arm as she passed the guest room. Bally flew and landed on her forearm, glaring behind her as they walked away.

When Ravyn was back in her room, Bally fluttered away and perched on one of her bedposts. Ravyn’s heart pounded against her chest as a bizarre and cold sinking feeling settled in.

Something’s wrong. Something’s seriously fucking wrong here.

There was no proof that Emberlynn was responsible for anything, but Ravyn knew. She’d seen the Spells her mother had weaved, the decisions she was capable of, the calculating nature of her being. A woman like Emberlynn would have sensed a Defiled in their midst months ago. Even as sick as Emberlynn was, she danced as well as she ever had during their conversation with Tristan. [Arbiter] Emberlynn was a woman with few equals.

“Ravyn?” Bally asked. “What’s wrong?”

Ravyn sucked in her lips, then looked up at her familiar. “I smell roachshit, and I’m going to find out where it’s coming from.”