‘How’ was the only question Kyrik’s mind. The shriker was a perfect clone of Methir. A twin sister. But, she never had one, and her family was on the opposite side of the country. But there was no doubt about it; this was a golem.

He’s seen something like this before, back in Falmari six months ago. The shopkeep, Zenith, had been replicated for a reason Kyrik wasn’t entirely sure of. But that was made by reaper magic. Such a thing should’ve been impossible to pull off without finding a way to utilize it. If not from a reaper, then by a source of power they drew from.

For all intents and purposes, this was Methir. Biologically, anyway.

So why did she have a bone embedded into her back?

Witherwing offered no explanation, just as dumbfounded. The most he could do was call Azulia and search the area, never leaving eyesight of Kyrik. The body made no movements nor did it have any signs of life.

One thing was for certain; it was a message. What it meant or who it was from, he didn’t know. But they were not going to like his answer.

The beat of wings drew his attention away before a graceful figure landed next to him. Azulia said nothing, staring down at the corpse. Snow began to cover most of it, and for a moment they sat together in silence.

“I’ll admit,” Azulia spoke first, “I’m not sure what to make of this.”

“Other than whoever made this is a sick bastard who needs to be punished?” Kyrik snarled scathingly.

Azulia was taken aback. “Well, now I know you’re serious; you never swear.”

“Kali said she spoke to her before.” Kyrik indicated to the body. “Mentioned that someone hired this duplicate. But the only ones who knew about it are the four of us.”

“Indeed.”

“I know why they wouldn’t do it,” Kyrik flickered his gaze to her. “But I’m not certain about you anymore.”

“Whatever do you mean?” Azulia didn’t appear offended; on the surface, anyway.

“You promised that myself and anyone I brought here wouldn’t be harmed.” Kyrik turned his eyes back to the corpse. “Explain to me why Kali got shot by Lei’s soldiers.”

“Ah, yes, that.” Azulia glanced down at her claws, examining them slightly. “You must understand that no one is truly at fault. The guards had their orders. Kali retaliated and was deemed a threat. Each acted on their own accord.”

“But if that’s the case, then explain how she got there and this!” Kyrik jabbed a finger at the corpse. “No one knew! You’re the only one who could know! It’s not possible that it got out!”

“Don’t you think if I wanted to torture you, I’d find better ways?” Azulia didn’t get upset. He was surprised. “Jirmen is also someone I do not wish to have come after me, either. Even if his power pales before mine, the damage he could do is something I’d like to avoid.”

Kyrik couldn’t tell if it was her arrogance or vanity speaking here.

“I have nothing to gain from your torment,” Azulia continued. “I don’t wish to anger you for the same reason why I don’t want Jirmen teleporting in here.”

Somehow, Kyrik believed her. When he stared into her eyes, he could just…tell. A faint chime of bells rang in his mind, warning of something. The way they glowed, it was far more intense. Staring into them made Kyrik calmer and tired. But he wasn’t a few seconds before.

“Come,” Azulia motioned for him to stand up. “Let’s get you somewhere warm. It must be cold for you.”

“I’m fine.” Kyrik refused to budge.

“Kyrik, sitting here and staring isn’t going to solve this any faster.” Azulia snapped her fingers.

Almost instantaneously, something grey landed next to them. It was bat-like, with flesh that resembled stone. Hard as it, too. Gargoyles, Azulia had described them. It was almost impossible to tell apart from a normal statue; the perfect guards. The flat, sharp-fanged face stared blankly at Azulia before she ordered it to take it away.

Lifting with its long, spidery claws, it took the golem and flew away on gigantic wings. Kyrik wondered how it flew given the proportions. Magic, he guessed, because supposedly they were constructs. They never really interested him and so he never read anything about them outside the basics.

“Where are you bringing it?” Kyrik asked quietly.

“I’m having the golem be looked at.” Azulia explained. “I have a few suspicions, and none of them are pleasant.”

“Someone is using reaper magic.” Kyrik said flatly.

“It was one of my guesses, yes.” Azulia clapped her claws. “Now, let us go. I won’t say it again.”

He was half tempted to fight back but he was just too tired. Between the cold, lack of sleep, and emotional turmoil he was ready to dive into those silk sheets in his room. Judging by how Azulia looked ready to carry him in, she noticed.

For some reason, he was almost inclined to let her. Once again, the chiming bell rang. Where did he hear it before?

She escorted him to his dorm, where he felt like he could fall asleep upon hitting the bed. She didn’t say a word, watching him curl up.

As he was about to fall asleep, he heard a voice in his head.

“Kyrik, can you hear me?” Kali sounded a bit frantic.

“Yes,” Kyrik cracked an eye open to see that Azulia was staring out the window.

“I can’t get back in through your portals,” Kali stated. “Jirmen and I are being blocked. I’m not sure why or how but I think we both know what’s going on.”

He did. “What should I do about it? I’m being watched.”

“Not sure. Jirmen says he can force it open if given time, but it’s a last resort. We need you to find out what’s blocking it.”

“…Speaking of…”

Kyrik explained to her what had just happened after she left. His suspicions, how Azulia acted to it, the like. Kali went quiet, no doubt to inform Jirmen. For what felt like a minute, he waited for her reply.

“I should have never left,” Kali hissed. “Stay safe, okay? If push comes to shove, leave. She’ll play her card if you do that.”

“Actually, that sounds like a good place to start.” Kyrik said thoughtfully.

“You’re playing with fire.” Kali warned.

“She won’t hurt me.”

“You don’t know that anymore.  Just…be careful, and tell me everything.”

“I will.”

As Kyrik lifted his head, he noted Azulia was beginning to grin. When he questioned, she turned to him, eyes gleaming in what he thought was happiness.

“My necklace is back. And with no hunters, either.” She announced.

Now Kyrik felt more awake. For a while, he suspected that there was more to this necklace than she let on, and now he had the chance to confirm it. Begrudgingly, he got out of the bedding and started to follow her out.

“Stay here and rest,” She blocked his way.

“Do you really want to leave me alone after what just happened?” Kyrik didn’t know what she planned, but if it involved him, playing into a ‘fear’ of hers should work.

Azulia gave him a calculating look. “Very well. But do not touch it.”

By the time they entered the throne room, where Tarvi had appeared with the necklace, Kyrik couldn’t help but notice Azulia more. Her scales were shiner, her horns appearing polished. Why did he notice this suddenly? Something was off. But he couldn’t tell what it was; nor did he really want to.

Pulling his vision away, he realized Tarvi was a lot taller than he thought. Maybe it was the way she dressed. Didn’t help that the way she looked at him made his scales crawl along his back. Unlike Azulia, where he knew what to expect, Tarvi held something different.

Like Azulia and Lei, her gaze was full of a hidden malice. But Tarvi’s…something was broken. Dead. No emotion behind them; only piercing red dots staring from the shadows. Again, like Azulia, but he detected a different energy. Corrupted and twisted by the queen, but nevertheless different from her.

Wordlessly, she gave Azulia the necklace. The fanged grin that crossed the queen’s muzzle made Kyrik’s feathers stand up more.

“So,” Kyrik broke the silence. “Now that you have that, I’m gonna run back to Falmari.”

Azulia’s head turned around so fast that Kyrik thought it would detach from her neck and launch at him.

“What?” Azulia demanded.

“I think this calls for Jirmen’s expertise.” Kyrik explained swiftly, noticing a shadow that elongated around her. “We’ve been kind of running around like we’re on fire. Besides, you said he can’t harm you, so I don’t see the concern.”

Azulia narrowed her eyes intently. Kyrik felt like he may explode under them. “Very well,” she sighed. “But before you go, accompany back to my room. There is something I wish to show you before you go.”