An Isle of Mirrors (A Shade of Vampire #88) - Bella Forrest Page 0,45

risking ourselves in this circumstance felt like a safer bet than just trusting Unending’s maker to provide us with the whole truth. We’d learned from experience that Death was picky in what she disclosed, for very selfish reasons.

Joy towered over us both, the light of her scythe casting reflections through her short, spiky fire-red hair. She looked as though she’d been designed for war. Beautiful but with rough features, sharp edges, and a blazing gaze of cosmic wrath. And that ginormous scythe of hers had a chilling effect on my ability to think clearly. “I’m going to ask you one last time,” Joy said. “What are you two doing here?”

“Follow my lead, love, please… this whole thing stinks to high heaven. I’m afraid we’re going to have to play for both sides,” Unending told me, her voice echoing sweetly in my head.

“I trust you. And you know you can count on me,” I thought, loudly enough for her to hear.

She gave me a faint smile, then looked at Joy. “Do you know who we are?”

“Yes. It still doesn’t explain what you’re doing here,” the Reaper replied. “You’re not supposed to know about this place. About these people.”

“If you know who I am, then you must also know what I am capable of,” Unending said, revealing her scythe. Its delicate blade shimmered with warning. A promise that if Joy resorted to violence, my wife would respond in kind.

“You may be one of the more well-versed in death magic, sister, but I have a few tricks up my sleeve as well, courtesy of Death herself. If you’re here, and since you were able to identify the extent of the damage my weapon can deliver, then surely you understand the lengths I will go to for their protection,” Joy said, briefly glancing at Loren and Sissa.

The young princess put on a bright smile, trying to defuse the situation. “There is no need for violence. Unending and Tristan have come in peace. I know they have because I feel their intentions. I feel their minds.”

“Yeah, but what if you’re not able to properly read them, huh?” Joy interjected. “If they know what you are and what you’re capable of, I wouldn’t put it past them to use various mental tricks meant to throw you for a loop.”

Loren placed a hand on his daughter’s shoulder. “She has a point, child. I sense goodwill from them, as well. But it could be a trick.”

“Oh, for the love of…” Unending snapped. “I didn’t even know you people existed until an hour ago. Frankly, while I find myself fascinated by your species, I have no interest in dealing with you or your abilities. I’ve experienced your spiritually violent side many times before, and I do not wish to play football with this hornets’ nest!”

The king frowned. “That’s almost insulting.”

“Well, then it’s a good thing you never met the Spirit Bender,” I mumbled.

“Who?” Sissa asked.

Joy scoffed. “No one you should concern yourself with. He’s gone forever, and the world is better for it.” She paused and moved her focus back to Unending. “What are you doing here, if not messing with these people?”

“There’s something we need. It’s in here,” Unending replied. “One of Death’s artifacts.”

“You mean the Mixer.” Joy’s forehead smoothed. “Don’t tell me you’re running errands for Anunit. I promised her I would show no mercy if she tried any dumb tricks.”

Unending shook her head. “No. We’re not running errands for her. That’s not what this is about. It should please you to hear that we’re actually hunting her. It’s a known fact by now that Death wants Anunit more than anything. Tristan and I are using the only workable approach. The Mixer is a crucial part of it.”

“You intend to use the artifact as bait?” Joy asked. She seemed intrigued, her hostility gradually subsiding. I could tell from the way her shoulders were dropping that tension was slipping away, slowly replaced with curiosity. “I’ve thought about it myself a couple of times.”

“If Anunit was here, why didn’t you catch her?” I demanded, hands on my hips as I adopted a scolding tone. It wasn’t difficult to see where Unending was taking this conversation. We were playing Joy from a different angle while also lying through our teeth, but we kept our minds clear and our lips smiling. The shimmer from Unending’s scythe wasn’t just a sign of activity, I realized. My whole being tingled from the effect of a spell she must’ve whispered, unbeknown to anyone. “Are