He raised an eyebrow and said, rather cuttingly, "There is still the Aedh."
"He’s not you. He could never be you." The words were out before I could even think about them, and sort of hung in the air between us.
And it hit me then that, as frustrating as this reaper could be—and as much as I wanted the whole situation to be finished and my life back to normal—I’d actually miss him when it happened.
I liked Azriel. More than I should. Certainly more than was sensible.
I swung away from him and took a long drink of beer. I was insane. This whole mess had driven me insane.
Azriel was undoubtedly following my thoughts, but for once he didn’t comment. Maybe he thought silence was the better part of valor.
"Lucian’s offered to help us when we go find the keys," I said eventually. "I’ve accepted."
"I do not think that is wise—"
"We don’t have much choice," I cut in. "I don’t want you to die, and there are few others we can call on for help. Lucian is an Aedh, even if he has been damaged. He knows how to fight them, and he’s eager for revenge as well."
"Do you trust him? Do you honestly think he is telling the truth about what he’s truly after?"
"He is after revenge. I’m certain of that, if nothing else."
"That doesn’t entirely answer the question."
No. But it was the only answer I could honestly give.
"Then I guess I have no choice but to trust your judgment." He hesitated, then added softly, "And another warrior would make things easier."
I smiled, recognizing an olive branch when I saw it. How long that offer of peace lasted was another matter entirely. "I’m able to fight, but I don’t think any of my weapons will actually work against the Aedh, especially if they don’t take human form in the attack."