Azriel nodded. "It is troubling that I might not be able to get into this ritual ground."
"It just means I’ll have to stay out of trouble." Or run like hell when it hit. "It would take some serious magic to stop you or an Aedh, though, wouldn’t it?"
"From the sound of it, this place is steeped in magic."
I frowned. "Then it just might be the perfect spot to read the Dušan’s book."
He eyed me for a moment. "Do you think the Brindle witches would approve of that?"
I remembered Kiandra’s statement in the hallway and smiled. "I think they already have."
"Then it would be safer than attempting to read it elsewhere. But I recommend using the void regardless."
"You bet your sweet ass I’ll be using it. Even if we are safe inside that place, that won’t stop the Raziq from surrounding it and snatching us the minute we leave."
The ghost of a smile flitted over his face. "And why would you bet my ass on something like that?"
I snorted softly. "Now you’re just teasing me."
"Perhaps," he agreed. "And I would hazard a guess that this is the first time you’ve called any reaper’s ass sweet. Should I be honored?"
He was looking at me intently again, and again heat stole through my cheeks. Which was really, really weird. "Maybe."
"Then I shall have to work on said ass, because I’d really prefer a firm yes to an unconvincing maybe."
And with that, he winked out of existence again, leaving me wondering if—in his own weird way—he’d actually been flirting with me.
"No," I muttered. "You’re imagining it."