A piece of brown paper appeared between the two of them. Rusty red and gold flowers decorated its surroundings. Their petals fluttered across the dusty surface. Ira grabbed the letter first, and Damian scooted over. The smile disappeared from his face. “The seven tasks,” she said. Suddenly, everything quieted down, as if even the walls were listening in to their conversation. “Get a tear from a seer. Slay a fallen angel. Admit to a feather. Hunt in the Forest of Time and discover your desire. Get a feather from a dead faerie’s wing. Survive inside the Temple of Fear. Kill a man from the city that once was ours.” 

The flower in her chest warmed. When she glanced down, she could see it blooming amidst the treacherous air. It was tinged dark red with flecks of gold as it flickered under the dim lighting. Ira took a deep breath, setting the letter back onto the table. 

When she glanced up at Damian, she could see that the arrogant glint in his eyes had finally dulled down. “I wasn’t expecting this,” he admitted a second later. “These tasks...they aren’t normal.”

“Finally, fazed?”

But Ira understood what he meant. These tasks weren’t like any others she had seen in the previous Vestimortis. The previous tasks were doable. They may be difficult, but they were completely doable. The tasks that they were given now, on the other hand–it was as if the Council had wanted them dead. There weren’t many who walked out of the Forest of Time sane. Taking a feather from a faerie’s wing was a curse in the making. Killing someone from a city that once was theirs could only mean killing a Hunter. Ira cleared her thoughts as she dug her nails into her palm. 

There was no excuse for her to slack off. She was going to reach her goal. The perplexed and uncomfortable stares her sect had given her drilled into the back of her mind as she took a deep breath, restraining herself. 

“Not the slightest,” he finally responded. “The devils might think very highly of us for them to give us such arduous tasks. It’s an honor.”

“We’ll be going to my grounds first–the Forest of Time.” It was nearer to the arena, and it was farther from any interaction with the fae. At the moment, it was the easiest thing they could do on the list. 

“I agree. It’s interesting how you do think things through.” Ira ignored his jab as he stood up, dusting invisible dirt off his pants. “Remember, we’re to work with each other. I protect you. You protect me.”

“I know the rules.”

Something in Damian’s eyes gleamed. “Then, let’s see how far you can go, Eralis.”

Without another word, he pushed the balcony doors open and shot up into the misty air. Ira soon followed.

I didn’t climb up the ranks just for my insufferable offspring to stain my name. Her father’s words echoed in her ears.

She would prove herself to him, to all of them. No matter what.