“I can’t say I’m disappointed that I sold half my stock of nightsbane after that whole mess,” Myrna said dryly as we pulled slowly into Gedon.

The city sat in a rather square-bottomed valley on the banks of the Linthel river only a few kilometers upstream from its terminus into the River Gelles. The border city, Myrna had told us, saw a lot of fighting in the civil war but was bouncing back quickly.

Quickly didn’t extend to the thoroughly destroyed road entering it from the Ordian side, however.

The “bridge” under us was little more than cobbles and planks thrown onto the mud and trampled into a reasonably flat line across the floodplain. Ahead of us, the actual bridge across the river’s main channel was a mess of scaffold and stone that stuck out of the snow and ice like an overlarge splinter.

It all made me wonder what Linthel would be like. Would I recognize it? Already, the city of Gedon (that I’d only ever briefly been through) looked familiar to me the same way sherds of pottery could resemble a beloved teapot.

I missed whoever replied to Myrna, but her huff drew me out of my mud-gazing. “I’m absolutely saddened by the tragedy of what happened in that town, but I gave them enough to test the prisoners for free. It’s certainly not my fault if they choose to purchase more than that.”

Seyari grumbled, but kept quiet. Thanks. No good to piss off the client when your boss is daydreaming and the end goal is a short, miserable march away. Miserable for the horse this time, not me.

The snowed-in town hadn’t had two horses to spare, so we ended up with one. Since we were going mostly downhill, it worked out, although until we’d hit the main road the snow had been too deep for her to pull the wagon. Instead, I’d pulled the wagon while our cold, but pampered horse walked easily alongside us.

Now, I was back in human form, the lot of us were back to petty jabs and snide remarks, and the next leg of our journey seemed to be a short, simple hop from Gedon to Linthel. A week on the road: just me, Sey, Nelys and Taava.

Something’s going to go terribly wrong, isn’t it?

Home felt closer than ever now, but also just a little… less. Traveling had been my life since the island, and a warm tent and good company was starting to feel more and more like home. Not that I intended to forget where I grew up, but I thought of Nelys and their wanderlust. Do I feel similar?

Right now, following a line of carts trundling along swampy, half-frozen mud-flats, I wanted nothing than a warm room with all my friends and a cozy bed with Seyari for later. Where that room was mattered a lot less to me now than I’d realized.

All that said, I was going to Linthel for much-needed closure. And more importantly, to meet up with my sister. A pang of worry struck me. Will Tania be there on the solstice? Is she okay?

I looked back at my friends splayed out across the tired wagon. Taava had started belting out lyrics to some inane song while Nelys hummed along and giggled. Seyari, my melting ice queen of a girlfriend, sat reclined across from the pair, watching with a hint of a smile tugging at her lips. Phol, Myrna’s guard, rested his hand on his chin in the corner of the wagon, his half-closed eyes looking out across the floodplain.

And up here with me, Myrna kept her eyes on the road ahead, knuckles white and posture tired.

“I’d take over for a bit if I knew how,” I said quietly.

“Hmm?”

“You’re tired, and the road’s not that bad.” I pointed to her knuckles.

She relaxed her hands some, shifting the reins in her grip. “You’re right. I’m just anxious is all. I want to be done with this trip already.”

“Same,” I nodded. “Sorry about all the chaos. I, uh, I guess I tend to invite it.”

“Yeah, you do.” Myrna exhaled, long and slow. “But you also bailed me and Phol out of it, so thanks for that. You did the Gelles Company and your own reputation good, and I’ll be sure to tell them as much.”

“Thanks, Myrna.”

“Sure.” She forced herself to lean back from her hunched posture and I heard her back crack. “All that’s left is reporting in, then I’ll stay in town a while, find another horse, and probably stay far, far away from backroads for a while. Seems like something’s brewing, and I want no part of that nasty business.”

“Me neither,” I confessed with a hard sigh.

“You make it sound like you’ll be stuck in it, Zarenna.”

I smiled wryly. “I’m sure I will, Myrna. I think I might—no, do need to be one of the people who’ll solve it.”

“Good luck to you then.” She gestured a hand across the horizon, to the city huddled ahead. “In the meantime, enjoy the terrible road and the awful view—looks like it’ll be the better part of an hour to the city at this rate.”

***

Myrna’s guess of an hour hadn’t been too far off the mark. Once we’d arrived, we squared up with her, and she even went with us to the Gelles Company branch in Gedon to give an in-person review of our performance. My thoughts were consumed by warm food and warmer beds, but my stupid, sensitive hearing couldn’t help but pick out some of the conversation the other guild members around me were having.

The small lobby room was only separated by a doorway from an attached tavern and inn the company owned, and people constantly flowed in and out. There were, of course, the usual “Is she even human?” and similar comments bouncing off the walls. But I also heard talk of “more victims” and “murders.” Not my business, unless it was related to demons. If it turned out to be demons? Then It’d be my business—and I had a bad, bad feeling I’d be seeing an uptick in “my business.”

Myrna exited with a smile and I stood up to say goodbye.

“Gave a glowing review,” Myrna pointed a thumb over her shoulder. “You did me and Phol good, but for my own health, please don’t let me hire you again.” With the smile she gave, I couldn’t tell if the merchant was being sarcastic or not.

“I’ll try not to,” I smirked. “Good luck on your travels, Myrna, and thank you for the company—and the acceptance.”

Myrna’s smile turned wry. “You’re welcome, Zarenna. Good luck out there, and goodbye.”

“Thanks, Myrna.” I shook her hand. “Sorry if I see you around later.”

She laughed, openly.

“Bye Myrna!” Nelys added.

Seyari and Taava waved Myrna off, and I waved a goodbye to Phol who stuck his head in from outside. Together the two of them left the guildhall—hopefully to a less-dangerous journey.

I sat back down and waited. Seyari gave me a side hug, but neither of us spoke. The parting wasn’t sad, certainly, but it was just one more reminder of how close I was. We still had to get paid, so I waited for our group to be called.

Predictably, I was called in next. Alone.

I walked into the small office, looked at the rickety chair that was available for me to sit on, and decided to stand. Behind a desk was an Ordian man of solid build, and he didn’t seem happy. He wore a smart, simple outfit, and his company insignia showed him to be above me, but below either Firalex or Rodrik.

“Is there a problem?” I asked.

“Take a seat, Miss Miller,” he replied.

“Sir, I—”

“Sit.”

Okay, fine.

I sat down as gently as I could and winced as the chair cracked underneath me. The old thing held, but only just.

“What’s this business with the contract saying you’re a ‘demon?’ Just what did you pull?”

“Sir, I am a demon. The contract’s correct. Rodrik and Firalex both signed off on it, and they’re aware of the risk of keeping me on despite what I am. Didn’t they send a runner?”

The guild man narrowed his eyes at me. “Was I supposed to believe that?”

“Yes, actually. I imagine the runner also had a company seal.”

The man sighed. “What’s going on? Really?”

I blinked. At least he’s not fuming. “Give me a moment, sir.”

I undid my lower sleeves and made sure my tail wasn’t going to pop out in the wrong place. Honestly, I really needed more outfits like this one the company had given me back in Lockmoth. Even if it was black leather and intimidating.

I released my human transformation and crossed all of my arms. My newly-freed tail thumped against the floor loudly. “See? Demon. Were there any problems with my performance on this last job?”

The man took a moment to pick his jaw up off the desk. He coughed, then again louder. “Ah. I—I see. I thought you were a little…”

“Unusually tall?” I offered, quirking one eyebrow upward.

“Ahem, yes. Unusually tall. I suppose this explains it.” He looked from me to the contract and back again nervously.

I relaxed all my arms and rubbed the back of my neck, folding my lower pair of hands in my lap. “I get it, I guess. The suspicion, that is. I’m just, well, y’know it’s tough to…” I trailed off, not able to find quite the right words.

Frowning, then man finished my thought in a questioning tone. “Tough to always explain yourself everywhere?”

I snapped my claws. “Yeah! That.”

The man smiled thinly, which surprised me. “We get a lot of people coming here from both Ordia and Edath. A lot of people who’d had a stake in the war and need somewhere to go since it’s done. They don’t always have the best documentation—and a fair few more than I’d like want to have some sort of special restrictions on who they work with or where. It’s not quite the same, but…”

“Yikes,” I murmured.

“Yeah, yikes. Sorry for the poor welcome. I’d just assumed—you know what, never mind. If you need anything, Miss Miller, the company’s here for you. Myrna gave a glowing review, and I can’t find a shred of a sign these documents have been messed with. Can’t say I know why Rodrik would hire a demon on, but if he thinks I can trust you, then I’ll trust you.”

“Do I have to go back to looking human when I leave this office?” I asked, half-hoping and half-joking.

The company boss choked a little and sputtered. “W-well. I, uh, I don’t want to—but you see—”

“I get it.” I shifted back. “Human Zarenna for now. We’re aiming to leave town in the morning anyway, but we might stay for a few days to unwind. I assume there’s a Gelles Company branch in Linthel?”

The man sighed in relief. “There is. I’ll write ahead for you. The hall isn’t as big as the ones in Lockmoth, Ardath, or Rochewood, but they’ll be able to put you up if you need it.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“You’re welcome.” He nodded curtly. “Your pay should be ready for you on the way out.”

I saw myself out, grabbed a sack of coin from the receptionist, and returned to the others with two thumbs up. “Let’s go get a couple inn rooms and some hot food!”