Creek nodded slowly. The meting out of KM justice wasn’t something he always agreed with, but in this case, he would have been totally on board.

Sighing, she leaned forward, her arms on her knees. “There’s more. Our contact overheard a conversation between Malkolm and Chrysabelle.”

“Chrysabelle’s in Corvinestri?”

“Was. We believe she’s already returned home to complete the rest of her and Malkolm’s mission.”

Now he really felt lost. “They had a mission?”

“Self-imposed. They’re luring Lilith and Tatiana to the Garden of Eden and putting an end to both of them there.”

“The Garden of Eden? That’s a real place?”

“Very. And almost impossible to get to unless you know how to open a portal. Even then, humans can’t get in.”

“But Chrysabelle’s human.”

“Mostly. And now that we believe she’s carrying Malkolm’s child, we—”

“What? Chrysabelle’s pregnant?”

“Didn’t you know?” She raised one brow. “We thought you were privy to everything that went on in the comarré’s life.”

He got up and went to the kitchen for a beer. It was better than letting Annika watch the anger on his face. “You know I’m not. Being the KM’s messenger boy has destroyed my relationship with her.”

“You sound upset.”

Brilliant deduction. “I am.” He left it at that. Any more and he’d only succeed in putting himself in a worse mood. But pregnant? How was that even possible? If the KM thought he was doing anything to help them put their hands on Chrysabelle’s child, they were dead wrong. He changed the subject. “I hope they get rid of Tatiana once and for all.”

She nodded. “Me too. But Lilith’s the real issue. If they can’t make this happen, the KM’s main focus will shift to her. After what our contact shared, we now know that she’s the greatest threat to mankind that’s ever existed.”

“Why can’t your contact there do something to stop Lilith?”

Annika stood, wing tips emerging from her jacket. “Because our contact activated an emergency message alert. Our receiving it means she was unable to stop the system from sending it, which most likely means she’s dead.” She walked toward the door.

She? But he knew better than to ask. If Annika wanted him to know more, she would have already given him the info. “Before you go…”

She stopped at the door. “Yes?”

It was now or never. “Does anyone ever leave the Kubai Mata?”

“Besides dying?”

Obviously. “Yes.”

“You can buy your way out or fight your way out.” She stared at him. “Thinking about retirement?”

He nodded. “You might say that. We both know I don’t have the funds. Whom would I have to fight?”

She snorted softly, then pushed the door open. “Me.”

Not the answer he wanted to hear. “And if I win, what happens to my family and my record?”

The amusement left her face. “The money goes away, Creek. The mortgage on the house becomes your mother’s and grandmother’s responsibility. Una’s scholarship won’t be pulled, but it won’t be renewed next semester, either. As for your record, it stands the way it is. You’ve been cleared of the charge. The KM won’t put you back in prison unless you give them a reason to.”

The next question stuck in his throat. “Would I have to… kill you to win?”

She went quiet a moment, like she couldn’t believe he was contemplating this. “No. You’d just have to best me.” Her fingers strayed to the temple of her shades. “You should know that there’s no cure for being turned to stone by a basilisk.”

He nodded. “Good to know.” Horrible to know. It pretty much meant the brawl would be over almost immediately unless he could fight her without looking at her, which didn’t seem possible.

She tipped her head at him, then stepped through the door and flew into the night. He leaned back in the chair and rocked his head back to stare at the ceiling. The chains he’d strung Octavian up with still hung from the ceiling. At least that was one issue he’d no longer have to deal with. Dominic would want to know.

He sat up. Dominic. If anyone could make the impossible possible, it was an alchemist. Creek grabbed his jacket and his keys. Anything was worth a shot.

Chapter Forty

Chrysabelle watched from her perch in the branches as Tatiana lunged for Lilith. Fortunately, Mal got there first. He snatched the child up, brought her close to his face, and inhaled. “She’s definitely human.”

“She can’t be.” Tatiana reached for her, but Mal pulled Lilith away. “Give her to me,” Tatiana commanded.

He turned slightly, his eyes silvering. “For what reason?” Lilith wrapped her little arms around his neck. The blouse she’d been wearing as an adult now dangled off her like a christening gown.

Tatiana held out her hands. “Because she’s my daughter.”

Chrysabelle had heard enough. Tatiana’s time had come to an end. She dropped out of the tree, landing behind Tatiana. “No, she’s not.”

Tatiana whipped around, putting Mal and Lilith at her back. “Chrysabelle.” She looked at Mal. “You said she was dead. That you killed her.”

Mal shook his head. “I guess it didn’t take.”