The image above was created by my sister on Artbreeder.

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"Ivah's body was found yesterday morning," Eris said, reading from a new report. "Examination of her body revealed there was a blade wound in her stomach but she died of fire." He glanced up as Evren touched her injured hand with a wince. "Was she difficult to kill?"

"Yes and no. She snuck up on me. She could have killed me. She was hard to find, but when I found her, she was easy to kill." Evren dropped her hands to her sides. "Who is my next target?"

"No one yet. Celosia keeps asking me to send you over to her house for a day or so. You'll do that before taking on any more assignments."

"Why is she so intent on befriending me?" Evren groaned, rolling her eyes. "I'm not here to make friends."

"Would it be so awful if you did?" Eris raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, it would."

"Why?"

She leaned back in her chair, gazing at him with an impassive expression. "I don't want anyone to mourn me when I'm gone." Eris tilted his head, waiting for her to continue. "When I die, I want to make it as quick and painless as I can. I don't want to leave behind someone who will remember my death with great sorrow and pain. It's better if I have no friends. No lovers. No one to mourn me."

Eris said nothing. Who was this Human who spoke of death with such ease? This female who was so calmly stating she was going to kill herself and wanted no one to cry for her? "So that is why you became a monster," he thought aloud.

"It's difficult to love a monster," Evren replied.

"Indeed." Eris rubbed his chin. "It's difficult to miss someone you hate."

"You're thinking of your father?"

"Yes."

"You hated your own father?"

Eris stared at his desk. "Wouldn't you hate the male who tortured your mother? Your brothers? You?"

"Your father tortured you?"

"My father tortured anyone who displeased him, no matter who they were. I killed him for three reasons. To become the High Lord myself, to avenge those he'd wronged, and to rid the world of a cruel bastard."

"What did he do to you?" Evren asked.

"What did he do to your parents?" Eris countered.

Evren lifted her chin. "I don't want to discuss it."

"Neither do I." Eris moved away from his desk. "Let's go. Celosia will be expecting you.

"I'm not here to make friends," Evren said again.

"Then don't make friends, but even Humans understand how to be polite, right?"

"I'm not going." She crossed her arms.

Eris crossed his as well. "You are."

"She's been rude to me. Why can't I be rude back?"

"I didn't say you couldn't be rude back. I just said you had to go."

"You were just telling me to be polite."

"Be polite and go because she's expecting you, but don't make friends. It's not a difficult concept. I do it all the time."

"I'm not like you."

Eris smirked. "You are very much like me." He took her by the arm. "Put on something a little more feminine. You have an appearance to uphold in public."

Evren jerked her arm away from him and left the office with a huff. Eris trailed after her at a good distance. She didn't look back. Eris studied her carefully once more.

He'd never seen a single scar on her body, but he knew she had to have some. Someone in her line of work didn't escape without scars every now and then. She was still very thin and her arms and legs were nothing but hard muscles. She hadn't eaten well in the Mortal Lands either, apparently. Whether that was by her own choice or because she couldn't afford food, he didn't know.

She moved as silently as ever. Almost more so, even. He wondered if she had been practicing so that she'd be able to hide her presence from Fae too. Despite Evren's silence though, Eris began to realize something. The house wasn't as quiet as it had been. Or, it didn't seem so quiet. Her presence was like a silent breeze. She swept into the house, disturbing nothing, but noticeable nonetheless.

Evren reached her room and disappeared inside. Before she closed the door, Eris caught sight of her bed. It was devoid of all blankets and sheets. The door clicked shut. Eris lingered outside.

A maid walked past and he beckoned her over. "She has no blankets on her bed?" Eris said quizzically.

"She removed them and asked us not to replace them," the maid explained. "Is that all right, my Lord?"

"Yes, it's fine." Eris knit his brows.

"She stokes the fire before going to bed and sleeps in her clothes," the maid added.

"Thank you." Eris inclined his head and the maid headed off.

Evren reappeared shortly, now changed out of her usual clothes. She didn't wear a gown, but had selected a rich teal shirt and charcoal pants. He could scent her now, jasmine and sandalwood.

Eris glanced at her arms, which were visible thanks to her short sleeves. Her neckline was lower than normal too. There were no scars or marks on her porcelain skin. Eris narrowed his eyes, spying a few bruises beneath her collarbone. Had she arrived with those or were they new?

Evren dropped her hands to her hips. "Is this feminine enough or should I find something more courtesan like?"

Eris shook his head. "That's fine. Let's go." He led the way back downstairs.

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Celosia's house was almost as large as the Forest House. The beautiful female met them atop a grand staircase. Celosia wore a stunning silver gown that accentuated her curves. Evren glanced at the High Lord. His face was as expressionless as hers.

"Evren, I'm so glad you came!" Celosia cooed. "I can't wait to show you around. Eris, will you be staying too?"

"No." The High Lord offered no explanation. "I'll be back for Evren this evening."

Evren gritted her teeth, biting back a protest. Surely she didn't have to stay that long? The High Lord went back down the stairs and winnowed out of sight. Celosia sighed, then gestured for Evren to follow her inside.

"It's nice to see you in something pretty for once," Celosia said. "I was worried Eris hadn't given you any acceptable clothing. I thought I'd have to give you some of my own."

"I prefer to wear clothes I'm comfortable in," Evren replied.

"Which happens to be the same set of clothes each day?"

"I wash them regularly."

"I see. Is there something you would like to do?"

Evren smothered a sigh. "We could just get to know one another better."

"Ask me anything you like."

"Do you have magic?"

"Yes." Celosia grinned. "I'm not as powerful as some High Fae, but I like my gift well enough. I can glamour things."

"Which means?"

"I can alter appearances, mask scents, hide someone or something from sight, and so on."

"You can alter appearances?" Evren raised an eyebrow.

"Yes. Would you like to see?" Evren nodded and they paused before a mirror. Celosia took her by the shoulders and turned her gently. "First, I'll hide those bruises." Celosia held her hands over Evren's collarbone. When she removed them, the bruises were gone. "They're still there beneath the glamour, but no one can see them until the glamour fades," Celosia explained.

"Do something else," Evren urged.

Celosia tapped her chin thoughtfully. "All right. I'll make you look a little more Fae."

Evren frowned but didn't protest. Celosia's hands passed over her again. When Evren saw her reflection, she was rendered speechless. Instead of round ears, she now had pointed ones. Her features were a little sharper, a little fuller, and utterly beautiful. The color of her eyes appeared more vibrant. Her ebony curls had a healthy shine to them. Her cheekbones weren't quite so prominent. She felt a smile tugging at her lips.

"Look at that," Celosia murmured. "You could be beautiful if you weren't Human." She waved a hand and the glamour faded, along with Evren's urge to smile.

"That must be a useful trick to have," Evren said with a cough. She didn't want Celosia to notice the huskiness that had crept into her voice.

"It is. I can fix any aspect of my appearance whenever I want. I could look like anyone in the world."

"Is this what you really look like?" Evren asked.

A guarded look filled Celosia's eyes. "Of course. Come. I'll show you around the house and you can ask me more questions."

They continued walking and Celosia pointed out rooms as they passed. Evren thought up another question shortly. "Do you have any siblings?"

"No. I did, once. I had a little sister, but she died along with my mother."

"Do you mind if I ask what happened to them?"

Celosia bit her lip, then sighed. "There was a fire. Father, Mother, and I escaped, but we realized my sister had fallen behind. Mother went back in before help arrived. When the fire was put out, we found what was left of her and my sister."

"They couldn't winnow?"

Celosia shook her head. "No one in my family can. Our magic isn't very strong in either bloodline."

"I see. I'm sorry."

Celosia squared her shoulders. "It's all right. Father and I worked through it. We rebuilt the house into what it is now and we're very close. We're all we have left. Father has never remarried and never will."

"Were your parents mates?"

"No. Mates are rare in the Autumn Court." Celosia smiled. "I think Eris might be my mate. I'll marry him even if he isn't, though."

"What makes you think that?"

Celosia shrugged. "It's just a feeling I have. I wonder if he shares it." Evren said nothing and the tour continued. "What about you? Do you have any siblings?" Celosia asked presently.

"No," Evren replied. "It was difficult for my parents to have children. They were middle aged when they had me. I was ten when they died."

"How did they die?"

"They were murdered." Evren looked away. "Beron killed them."

"Beron Vanserra?"

"Yes."

"How do you know?"

Evren's voice fell to a whisper. "I watched him do it."