Shaken by the glimpse of power contained within the tiny demon, Jaelyn chose her words with care.
“How can the future change?”
There was a long silence. As if the Oracle was debating the wisdom of sharing insider info. Then she gave a small shrug.
“There is always a certain measure of fluidity in matters of time, but it is more chaotic than usual.”
“Do I want to know why, or is that one of those ‘curiosity kills the cat’ things?”
“It indicates that there will soon be a powerful flux in the universe.”
Jaelyn grimaced, wishing that she hadn’t asked. Or that the demon hadn’t answered.
Or...
Hell. She scrubbed a hand over her weary face. She was tired, hungry, and wishing she could get a hold of Ariyal and kick his ass. This might not be entirely his responsibility, but she was willing to blame him.
“The return of the Dark Lord?” she hazarded.
Siljar considered before giving a shrug. “It is impossible to say.”
Yeah, sooooo not helping.
She shifted her concern from the looming end of the world to her own looming end.
“Well, if the future is in flux then maybe my elevation to being some mystical thread is nothing more than a cosmic glitch that will soon be forgotten.”
Siljar cocked her head to the side, her expression curious. “I thought Hunters were fearless?”
Jaelyn snorted. “Facing death is one thing; knowing I’m a part of destiny is quite another.”
“Is it destiny that troubles you?” She flashed her pointed teeth. “Or Ariyal?”
Was the woman trying to piss her off?
“It would seem they’re one and the same,” she muttered.
“Very true,” the demon agreed with a shrug of indifference. Then she gave a lift of her tiny hands. “Well, I must go.”
“Go?” Jaelyn took a hasty step forward. “Wait.”
“Yes?”
“Do you intend to leave me here?”
Siljar slowly blinked, like a lizard.
“Oh, did I not say?”
“Say what?”
“The terms of our contract have been altered.”
Oh ... crap.
Why did she suspect that the alteration didn’t include a one-way ticket to Maui to hunt fire pixies?
“You no longer want me to capture the Sylvermyst?” she asked, ever the optimist.