“You’re not…mad at me, are you?” Kyrik’s voice wavered with uncertainty.

Kali shot him a glare. “I am, but I meant what I said before; you will not come to harm no matter my emotions. I don’t care if you’re the grim reaper.”

He went to correct her but kept his mouth shut. He wasn’t the only reaper in the world, even if he never ran across another. Nobody did after six years ago. He hadn’t really thought about it until Kali had come into the picture, and for a while he wondered if he was doing his job adequately. No one had come down to beat him over the head, so he had to be doing something correct.

“Right.” Kyrik managed to say.

Kali didn’t hear him, as her eyes had turned a bright green color, the runes on her body following suit. Yet another thing he didn’t understand about her was how she changed in appearance depending on abilities. For the most part, he got a ‘I can’t remember’. He hypothesized it was from when she fell and struck her head on a rock or something.

“I don’t see anything so far,” Kali spoke after a bit. “Their minds are full of pain and confusion right now – Lei probably disoriented everything. It’s impossible to shift through without digging too far into personal material.”

“Isn’t that what you’re trying to do?” Kyrik tilted his head.

“Some things I do not wish to see.”

“You must if they are to be proven innocent!”

“Whenever I do this, I have discovered no one is truly innocent.” Kali said darkly.

Kyrik didn’t understand it and Kali didn’t elaborate, so he was left to twiddle his fingers until she finished.

“None of them did it.” Kali let out a sigh.

Lei practically kicked down the door at that moment, startling them both. “That’s impossible.”

“It seems that we’re back to square one.” Kyrik said once his hearts stopped fluttering. “The attack came from behind – perhaps they ran off in the opposite direction?”

“Define opposite.” Kali asked.

“Well I mean, the abysean was stabbed in the back. The flesh golems came from the direction we thought the assassin struck from,” Kyrik explained. “What if instead of running back, the murderer ran forward?”

Silence.

“I would have noticed.” Lei snarled.

“Would you have?” Kyrik pressed. “The murder was committed with no one looking. Maybe it can-” He paused.

“Can what?”

“What if there is more than meets the eye?” Kyrik got up to pace. “That would be impossible for no one to notice. What if the body was moved and the murderer took off down the stairs? I mean, down to the coven isn’t the only place the stairs stop. Or does it this re-arrange?”

“There is one more near the top.” Lei’s claws curled.

“How did no one notice the body being carried?” Kali interjected.

Kyrik stopped pacing. “That…I don’t know. We should tell Azulia.”

“If you desire; I’m going.” Lei stomped out of the room.

Kali frowned as she stepped out. Lei had already gone. “I don’t understand how anyone puts up with him.”

“He must have some redeeming qualities,” Kyrik said. “I mean, why else would Azulia appoint him?”

“Because he is cruel and no one would dare try and get to her through him?”

Kyrik didn’t say a word and ventured down where Azulia and Witherwing ventured. Kali followed him, almost hovering at times. Especially when some of the prisoners had begun to leer at the two of them. The further they got in, the more they pressed against the bars. He swallowed silently; did they hear that the runes were down?

Evidently not, as no one made a move. Either that or they were scared.

Further down, a rumbling could be heard below their claws. Some sort of shriek pierced their frills down there. Whatever caused it was massive, and the look they exchanged with each other said they almost didn’t want to know.

WItherwing’s voice was heard from around the corner and for some reason Kali indicated for Kyrik to stop and press himself against the wall. Unsure of where she was going with this, he complied to see it out.

“…now that’s been set, how will we proceed?”

“I’ll keep him near me. It’s the only way to be sure.” Azulia answered quietly.

“And what of the dreamtender?”

“I am not concerned about her.”

They stopped talking for a moment.

“They’re here now.” Witherwing reported.

“Yes, I am aware.” Azulia walked around the corner and nearly knocked Kyrik over, as her chest collided with his face. “What are you two doing?”

“Looking for you.” Kyrik adjusted his mask. A small, sickly green glow emanated from the tiny bit of his face that was exposed. He needed to reapply the spell, it’d seem. “Everyone is innocent.”

“Hm,” Azulia tapped her talons on the floor. “Where did Lei go?”

Kyrik explained everything in detail. Her face changed into shock before irritation. At what, he didn’t know, but he presumed Lei running off. Or the fact that no one considered any of it before he did.

“Witherwing, go after Lei; I’ll join you shortly.” Azulia ordered. “You two are with me. I need to stop somewhere first and I’m not letting you,” She pointed at Kyrik, “out of my sight.”