The artwork above is not mine.

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    The months dragged by with very little change. Ruhn passed the days more on reflex than anything else. He got up, performed his usual duties, answered summons when necessary, and drowned himself in all manner of mind-numbing things when he came home. He honestly wasn't sure how he was still alive, given how much mirthroot he'd smoked since the Sailing, not that it helped any.

    The pain was more bearable some days than others. There were mornings when Ruhn almost couldn't pull himself out of bed, so sharp was his sorrow. Other mornings, he felt nothing at all. But constantly, there was an unusual air around him. A hollow spot in his chest. Something was missing. Someone.

    Today, he was exceedingly aware of the person missing from his life. That likely had to do with the fact that he'd been trying to work up the courage to go through the last few things on Sarai's phone. Declan had bypassed her password and Ruhn had gone through everything except her text messages and photo gallery. He wasn't sure he was ready for what he might find in there.

    He'd lain awake last night, staring at her phone on his nightstand and trying to work up the courage to look, but he hadn't been able to. His thoughts had spun with theories, some too terrible to consider. What if he opened a video and saw that she'd recorded part of the demon attack before she died?

    Ruhn swallowed hard, pushing the thought aside and resting his forehead on the cool surface of the desk he was seated at. He and a few others had been summoned to a meeting with the City Heads today. Currently, he, Declan, and Flynn were the only ones in the conference room. The others were on their way.

    "Are you doing all right?" Flynn whispered, leaning towards him.

    "For now," Ruhn murmured. "Ask me again after the meeting."

    "Want to go to the sunball game this afternoon? People think Holstrom might play."

    "He won't."

    "How do you know?" Declan answered.

    "You've seen him with the other Wolves. He's...different. He hasn't played a game since the Sailing, and I don't think he'll ever play again." Ruhn sat up, crossing his arms over his chest with a sigh. "The Devils were all he had, just like Sarai."

    Flynn and Declan said nothing more as the door opened and the Autumn King strode into the conference room. One by one, the other City Heads arrived, or those representing them. Ruhn returned the short nod offered to him by Tharion Ketos, Captain of Intelligence for the River Queen, but didn't acknowledge his father.

    An acolyte came in lue of the Oracle. Jesiba Roga, Bryce's boss, came to represent the Under-King, Head of the Bone Quarter. Sabine Fendyr and Amelie Ravenscroft were the next ones to arrive. Apparently, Sabine hadn't taken long in finding a replacement for Danika. Ruhn bit back a snarl as Sabine sat down and shot him a disgusted look.

    "Do us all a favor and try not to upset the Prince," The Viper Queen said as she passed behind Sabine's chair. "Micah will not be pleased if you die today. Tomorrow would be more convenient."

    Flynn choked on a laugh, earning himself a glare from the Autumn King. The door opened one last time and Micah Domitus entered the meeting room. Ruhn caught a glimpse of gray feathers beyond the door and knew the Umbra Mortis had been told to wait outside. As soon as the Governor was seated, the meeting commenced.

    "The investigation surrounding the deaths of the Pack of Devils is going to be closed," the Governor announced.

    Ruhn went rigid and Flynn elbowed him. He drew a steadying breath, willing himself to remain calm. The Autumn King hadn't told him what this meeting was about when he called, and Ruhn was certain that was no accident. "Why?" He found himself asking.

    The Governor fixed his sharp brown eyes on him. "Because no new evidence or leads have surfaced, and I think the crime spoke for itself. Philip Briggs was released and wanted revenge on the Devils, so he summoned a demon to kill them."

    "That doesn't explain the...incident, at my own house," Ruhn pointed out. He hated referring to Sarai's death like that, but there was no other way he could put it. Not unless he wanted them to know without a doubt what Sarai had meant to him, and he had a feeling that would cause more harm than good.

    He couldn't even bring up the fact that the demon attacks might've been meant for him and Bryce. No one knew Bryce was his half-sister, and the Autumn King wanted it to stay that way. For once, Ruhn had to agree with him. The last thing Bryce needed was the drama and danger that would follow the revelation of her true heritage.

    The Governor merely waved a dismissive hand. "Maybe the demon reached your house after it fled Danika Fendyr's apartment and killed your unsuspecting visitor. You're just lucky you weren't there when it was."

    "Or maybe someone was trying to remove a threat." Ruhn glanced at his father in surprise. Einar Danaan fixed cold amber eyes on Sabine. "It's no secret, the hatred you had for Sarai Ilerion, and the bond between her and Danika. Weren't you the one who forced Ilerion into a pack to prevent her from becoming Danika's Second?"

    "Choose your next words carefully," Sabine spat.

    "I'm just saying, that does seem like a rather large coincidence."

    Ruhn curled his hands into fists, resting them on his thighs. Shadows flickered around his fingers. If Sabine was really the one who had orchestrated Sarai and the Devils' deaths, he was going to...

    "That angle has already been investigated," the Governor said. Sabine's gaze whipped to him. The Governor smiled. "You didn't think you weren't a suspect, did you, Sabine?"

    The Wolf didn't deign to respond. "The case is being closed," the Governor repeated. "And that is final."

    Ruhn didn't balk when the Governor looked at him once more. He held his stare, but masked his thoughts and emotions. He wasn't convinced by the explanation the Governor had given. He'd questioned Philip Briggs himself, and didn't believe for a moment the Human had summoned a demon to murder the Devils.

    And Sarai... Her death had not been an unfortunate coincidence. He would not rest until he learned the truth. One way or another, he would find out what had happened to her. He would never forgive himself if he didn't.

    The meeting was adjourned within minutes. The Heads filed out of the room one by one. Ruhn passed by Hunt Athalar, who was still waiting in the hallway. The Angel cleared his throat, catching Ruhn's attention. "I heard about Ilerion," he said.

    "You and the entire continent," Ruhn scoffed. "Whatever you have to say, I don't want to hear it." He turned to go.

    "There were rumors," Hunt added. "About what she was to you, and about the prophecy the Oracle gave her." Ruhn paused, but said nothing. "I just..." He heaved a sigh, and there was something similar to regret and understanding, in his voice when he spoke again. "If it weren't for me, you would've been there for her."

    And Ruhn understood. That was regret and understanding in Athalar's voice. Because he did understand, and he shared Ruhn's regrets. Just like him, Athalar hadn't been able to help when his lover was struck down during the Rebellion.

    Shahar, the leader of the Rebellion against the Asteri and a former Archangel, had been slain by her twin sister Sandriel during the battle. Athalar had been busy leading her forces and wasn't able to aid Shahar in her fight against her sister. No doubt he was now comparing his experience to Ruhn's own.

    A small flame crackled to life within him, rekindling the anger that had claimed him on the day of Sarai's Sailing. He rounded on Athalar. "You're right. I would've been there if you hadn't wasted my fucking time and prevented me from going after Bryce sooner. Thank you for admitting your role in Sarai's death."

    "After all," he added, "aren't you the one who's supposed to protect this city from fucking demons? That's one Hel of a job you're doing. Nine Wolves dead in a single night."

    Athalar knit his brows. "Nine? There were only eight."

    "No, there were nine," Ruhn seethed. "Congratulations, Umbra Mortis. The blood of a baby is on your hands."

    He stormed off, but as quick as the lightning now dancing at his fingertips, Athalar grabbed his shoulder, halting him. "Yours?"

    "Nathalie and Bronson's," Ruhn spat, jerking away. The Angel didn't call after him again.

    Declan and Flynn were waiting near the elevator, watching him with worried expressions. Ruhn made a beeline for them, but was intercepted once again. This time, he found himself face to face with the Governor.

    "I do apologize for my lack of decorum in the meeting," the Governor said. "But I must be careful to preserve Sabine's delicate feelings." His voice fell lower. "It won't be long before she's Prime of the Wolves. She is the undisputed Prime Apparent now."

    Ruhn narrowed his eyes, recognizing the warning in the Governor's tone. Before he could question it, the Governor spoke again. "My condolences on the loss of your friend. She was a...dedicated Wolf." The Governor brushed past Ruhn. "Never could leave things alone."

    Ruhn stared after his receding form, the words echoing in his ears. "What was that about?" Declan asked behind him.

    "I need to see something," Ruhn breathed. He spun on his heel and shoved between Declan and Flynn. They hurried after him, asking for no explanation.

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    Ruhn headed straight to his bedroom when he reached the house. Declan and Flynn were still following him, not speaking even though he could practically feel their curiosity. Ruhn grabbed Sarai's phone off his nightstand. He opened it, then hesitated, his finger hovering over her messaging app.

    "What's this about?" Flynn urged.

    "The Governor said something odd. He said Sarai was dedicated and could never leave things alone."

    "What did he mean by that?"

    "He knows something about her death. Maybe about all of them." Ruhn steeled himself and opened the app. The last person Sarai had texted was Salem. He opened the thread and began to read.

    Sarai had sent him a file, but never responded to the questions that Salem sent in reply. Ruhn scrolled up, reading through their other messages. Salem had been arranging a meeting between Sarai and... "Drug dealers?" Ruhn whispered to himself.

    "What is it?" Declan asked.

    "Sarai was still investigating the drug case," Ruhn said. "Salem was helping her, and in exchange she was supposed to get him out of the city."

    "But he's still here," Flynn pointed out.

    "She sent him her plans for his escape, but I think he still needs additional help."

    "So?" Declan motioned for him to continue.

    "We're going to get Salem out of Crescent City," Ruhn decided. "And in return, he's going to tell me everything he knows about Sarai's research."