The mad creature didn’t acknowledge her this time. Instead, he chewed on the treat with relish and went back to the stream. Where he resumed his odd occupation and seemed to forget her.

“I’ve been looking for you all day,” she told the creature. Keeping her voice low. She crawled half a hand forward. “Harv says he keeps trying to corral you. But even in madness, you’re too clever for that, aren’t you, Eric? You even know to stay within the barrier.”

She knew when she moved too quickly because he’d stiffen and pause. All she had to do was hold still for a heartbeat or six and wait for him to end the pause. Then she could continue inching toward him.

“Aridon made something to help you,” she whispered. “Do you remember Aridon, Eric?”

Eric didn’t reply.

“He’s arrogant and narcissistic most of the time, but he usually comes through when we have to make hard decisions. Things that are for all our good.” She paused and wrinkled her nose. “Except where Cheryl’s son is concerned. Can you believe he’s still holding that grudge?”

It didn’t matter what she said. She just needed to keep talking. Keep him distracted from her movements.

“Do you remember when Cheryl brought you to the sewers? It was the first time I’d seen anyone in many years. You nearly drove me mad, too. Remember? You were clever enough to know that the sewers were also safe. Despite twenty years of wandering them, you knew to stay inside.”

He stiffened again and she paused. Continuing to talk soothingly.

“If I’d known I wouldn’t have to keep an eye on you, maybe I would’ve followed Cheryl back up top. Do you think things would’ve been different, Eric? If I’d followed her?”

He reached in for another fish and she scooted closer. She was within arm’s reach now.

“Would it have been me the wizard caught instead? Would Aridon have won her over by now and been happy?” She bit her lip. “Or would we both have been caught? Or neither?”

She cautiously reached out and put a hand on the creature’s shoulder.

To her relief, he didn’t react.

“You’re right. It wouldn’t have changed anything. Cheryl didn’t want him and he’d still be angry about it.”

Keeping one hand on his shoulder, she slowly pulled a leash from her side pouch. Then wrapped it around his neck. As though that triggered something in his mind, he immediately sat down like a dog and looked at her with expectant eyes.

“I’m glad Cheryl killed your final master,” she told him sadly. Stroking his hair. “He made you mad like this. I don’t like seeing you so obedient on a leash.”

He didn’t reply. Just watched her. Waiting.

“Come on,” she said, standing up. No longer afraid that he’d run. “Let’s go see Aridon.”

***

She wasn’t sure where to find Dalius.

Wearing her best skirt and blouse, she nervously wandered into the human guest wing. It was really just another part of the servants’ wing. Just as dark, but not as cramped. The rooms were less cubby and more double closets.

She was tired.

Getting a good night’s sleep had been difficult since she was eight. But with Nakos’ execution still fresh on her mind, her sleep was full of nightmares.

The best part of having to train with the enforcers for part of the day had been half a night’s sleep out of sheer exhaustion.

She paused at an intersection and stretched her sore muscles.

Did Dalius even remember their… outing? Date? Meeting?

Whatever it was, she was sure it wasn’t a date. Not a serious one, anyway. Maybe a fling? That seemed more likely. Since there were already rumors circulating about him among the servants. Gossip that was so much like it had been in the troupe that she felt prepared to thwart him if he attempted any serious flirting.

In the two days he’d been there, there were three women claiming to have had a tryst with him.

One or two of the women might’ve been just trying to outdo each other (considering who they were, she could believe that more than their story). But, since this was Dalius, Lita had no doubt at least one of them was telling the truth.

Maybe she should just leave? She groaned and leaned against a wall.

How often would she get a chance to hang out with such a handsome man?

Sheldon would be angry with her for even considering this. He’d demand that she call it off and tell Dalius to hike. And Sheldon would be right. She didn’t need a man who couldn’t commit in her life. Even if it was for just one day.

One day could have a lot of unintended consequences.

She grimaced, resolve becoming uncertain.

“Now, what’s that all about?”

With a squeak of surprise, Lita jumped away from the wall and spun to face the man speaking to her. Dalius grinned, melting her insides and making her thoughts turn to nonsense.

“Were you looking for me?” he teased.

“No,” she denied immediately.

“That’s too bad.” He stepped closer and her heart skipped a beat. Tenderly, he brushed her cheek with the back of his fingers. “Because I was looking for you.”

“I- you were?”

Stupid question. Appropriately, he laughed and she blushed.

“You’re allowed to leave the Palace for your half days, yes?” Casually, he took her arm and weaved it through his.

“I- yes. But, you see, I shouldn’t-”

She was babbling and he easily sidled around her stutters.

“Good. There’s a little cafe next to the pier that I like to go to whenever I come here. I haven’t been yet and probably won’t get a chance if I don’t go today.”

Lita took a deep breath and steadied herself as he led her back up the corridors.

“Dalius,” she said firmly. “I’ll go. But you should know, I have no intention of getting into your bed.”

“Good. That means this will be a no-pressure outing as friends.” He winked.

She wasn’t sure what she was expecting and was surprised by her disappointment. Isn’t that what she meant she wanted?

A moment later, she realized he was leading her back up the main corridors and to the Entrance Hall. Probably the only route he knew, which made sense since he wasn’t a resident. Or a spy that poked around and noted things like back ways.

“No, this way.”

She pulled him in the other direction. After a few more corridors, they were close enough to the kitchens to hear the servants. It wasn’t as loud as it normally would be, not as much talking, but it was pretty obvious there was a lot of activity somewhere close by.

“Are you wanting to show off that you’re with me?” he teased.

“We’re going this way. It leads to one of the garden entrances.”

“One of them? You need more than one?”

“We have one that goes straight to the kitchen,” Lita explained. The floor was sloping up as the tunnel climbed toward the main level. She motioned to the rooms on either side of the corridor. “But this one goes to the storage areas, so we can store food we’re not going to use right away.”

“And keep the gardeners out of the way.”

“Exactly.”

Much of the cliff side Palace was surrounded, and partitioned off, by thick walls. The garden was separated from the courtyard and the rest of the Palace by the same walls, minus any imposing gates. If she stood at the right place on the maze of paths, she could see through the big entrance to the courtyard beyond.

She led Dalius through the maze to the outer wall. Easily avoiding everyone as she went.

“The demons put a lot of effort into making this spot a good place to plant on,” she said as they went. “Most of the slope to the cliffs is too rocky. But they had lots of good soil dumped here with the wall to keep it all in.”

“It would’ve had to be several feet deep.”

“I’m told it’s almost six feet deep,” she agreed.

“Fascinating. It’s almost like they expect to be put under siege.”

Lita grinned. “That’s what I thought, too. For immortal beings, they take way too many precautions.”

“Immortality doesn’t mean invulnerability,” said Dalius absently. “Where are we going?”