The locals all seemed happy and enthusiastic as they passed food and drink around, Vrintar and Semari already digging in, happy to accept the bounty. The tide-master was there and leading the celebrations, handing out booze to everyone. The sailors were there as well, drawn by the siren call of free drink, happy to join in without entirely knowing what the reason for the celebration was. Janaxia remained on her lounger, although dark energy did occasionally materialise to pull food her way, or to pull a bottle of wine from an ice bucket, Sen tending to any other needs. The person next to her was eerily similar in their mannerisms to Janaxia, although her wine glass was smaller, Janaxia apparently keeping her intake moderated.

The… girl? Woman? Her age was hard to tell – definitely younger than Janaxia, but she could just be a little younger and scrawny and underfed, or a lot younger and still growing. The shadows were stretching long as the sun dropped towards the horizon, the parasol remaining in place and draping them in shadows.

Stathis helped herself to fish, wrapped in a leaf and splashed with oil and herbs, a pleasant mix of flavours, hot and sweet and salty. She accepted various backslaps and handshakes of congratulations, moving towards Semari, who was surrounded by empty bottles and tankards.

‘Hey, what’s the party for?’

It looked as though Semari had been drinking for a while, her movements jerky, eyes glazed. ‘Hey, you’re back! Yeah, we killed some demon or something? Everyone’s happy, so party-time, yaaay!’ She reeled, taking a deep breath. ‘Been pretty fun, although the beer’s a bit shit.’

‘You didn’t go and beat up a demon last night, did you?’

‘Nah. Too pissed. Didn’t wake up until you, like, threw me in the ocean. That was mean!’

‘You refused to let go! You’re as bad as Janaxia when you cling on. And you looked like you were enjoying the swim. Certainly woke you up!’

‘True. So it wasn’t you that went and killed whatever it was? Sounds like the sort of thing you do, all golden hero and whatnot.’

‘Nope, not me. And it’s through a whole jungle, so it wasn’t Janaxia.’

‘Hakara? Weird magical stuff? Could be her.’

‘I don’t think she’s leaving her magical circle. And Janaxia’s sister always looks terrified, I can’t imagine her fighting a demon or anything.’

‘Dunno then. But it’s gone now, so, yay?’

A leaf-wrapped bundle levitated itself off the fire, hovering through the air and conveying itself to Janaxia. She opened it up, using her magic to pull it apart without dirtying her fingers, feeding a piece to the girl. She looked at Stathis, locking eyes for a moment before looking away, her sniff of disapproval audible in Stathis’ mind.

‘Who’s Janaxia’s friend?’

‘You should know, you, like, rescued her or something. Mini-naxia! As long as eldritch magical shit isn’t, y’know, contagious or something.’ She waggled her fingers in a vaguely magical way. ‘Don’t think she’s local, no-one seems to know her. Grabbed somewhere maybe? Seems a bit fancy, think Janaxia’s teaching her to pretend to like wine.’

‘I’ve never seen her before. There wasn’t anyone else up there other than the cultists. Well, them and the demon, which has now vanished.’

‘Demons just vanish sometimes, maybe that’s what happened? Like, get bored and buggered off wherever demons go.’

‘It looked pretty attached, and there wasn’t a trace left. So I’m pretty sure bullshit of some kind is going on. What do you mean I rescued her?’

‘I dunno, you came back down with her and Janaxia. Then we got drunk. Janaxia and mini-naxia spent a while sunning themselves and stuff, made a few jaws drop.’ Semari lowered her voice melodramatically. ‘Think she’s, like, trying to make you jealous.’

‘I rescued Janaxia, there wasn’t anyone else there. Let me talk to Vrintar.’

Semari grabbed another leaf-parcel and bit into it, leaf and all, grabbing more drink off a passer-by as Stathis moved through the crowd, smiling politely at them as they congratulated her. Vrintar was in front of the fire, slowly turning two fish each the size of her arms, oversized fangs in savage-looking mouths and swigging from a bottle of spirits, occasionally splashing some onto the fish.

‘Silverbiters. Rare to see ones this large, so I thought I would make the most of the opportunity. Would you like to try some?’

‘Uh, sure. So who’s that girl with Janaxia?’

Vrintar looked at her strangely as she handed over the bottle, Stathis taking a swig. ‘I know not her name, but she was with those cultists, and appeared to have been kidnapped. I would assume another sacrifice – she certainly appears to share some aspects with Janaxia. She has yet to say much, I would imagine she is a touch afflicted by her experiences.’

‘We rescued Janaxia, but there was no-one else there. Just that freaky demon nailed up. You remember that much, at least?’

‘Of course, although it appeared withered and drawn. However long it had been contained, I imagine that it’s power had largely been drained.’

‘Well, the damn thing’s vanished. And I’m pretty damn sure that girl wasn’t there, or at least I never saw her.’

‘Perhaps you breathed in too many of those spores? They have something of an effect on memory and thought. And also make rather excellent spirits, although with a tendency to leave the drinker a bit befuddled the day after. Perhaps you drank too much yesterday? You did fall asleep on the beach.’

‘I think I would remember something like that!’ She waved Pajaran over. ‘What do you know about that girl with Janaxia?’

‘The creepy one? Although would have to be a bit odd to hang out with Janaxia. Yeah, you bought her back. Well, Vrintar carried her, you were carrying Janaxia.’ She shrugged. ‘Guess they use similar magic or something? They’ve been talking a lot, and she does the same weird clothing thing that Janaxia does. Although I think Janaxia talked her into something less revealing when she wanted to dress like Janaxia, guess she has some standards or something?’

Had she gotten that drunk? She would surely remember something like that, wouldn’t she? She glanced over at the girl, who looked back at her, eyes jet-black. She smirked back, teeth flashing brightly, as Stathis tried to concentrate. Janaxia would likely overwhelm her senses but it was worth trying. She extended her senses and…

Darkness, black and absolute. Swirling depths and heights and everything, all around her, all encompassing, infinite pressure from every angle, filled with unknown predators, all hungry and cold, seeking out warmth, any warmth.

She opened her eyes, reeling from the sensation. Janaxia normally felt like a cold, ominous doom, but not that strong! If it was Janaxia, she was getting even worse, but if it wasn’t…

‘Hey, you OK? You’ve gone somewhat pale.’ Vrintar was looking at her, seeming somewhat concerned.

‘Just… just a bit tired. Think I’ll go sit down for a bit.’ Stathis had another swig of the spirits, taste now seeming mellow on her tongue, taking a seat on a piece of driftwood. The locals congratulated her and she smiled at them, still looking at the girl with Janaxia. She reached out for the wine, Janaxia making a gesture and using magic to pull it away, only pouring a small measure, before most of the rest of the bottle went into her own glass. Well, at least Janaxia was being sort of responsible.

Janaxia caught her looking and gave her a decidedly frosty smile, a faint murmur of dissatisfaction and grumpiness leaking into Stathis’ mind before she looked away, saying something to the girl, who cackled and gave Stathis a nasty look.

Stathis took a long drink of the beer, wincing at the taste. Janaxia clearly had some link to the other-world and all of the demons that were bound there. Although she seemed in control of herself, at least aside from her appetites and desires to be pampered and pleasured, so if she was a demon-queen, then she could probably be kept at bay with a decent wine cellar and a handful of attractive servants! So if she was some heir to ancient power, she had somehow done it on her own, otherwise her family would be making use of her in some more aggressive way. So had she stolen some family relic?

But she didn’t seem even be aware of it herself, beyond her stiff-necked insistence that she was a real wizard, even though her spells were clearly strange, and most wizards didn’t grow horns. And most wizards didn’t react negatively to holy ground, or have bodies that could consume magical items! She tried to remember everything she had been told by Agon: the old world had been destroyed by the demons, and everyone had fled here. So was Janaxia some kind of demonic throw-back? When they had kissed, had Janaxia absorbed her own essence, somehow spitting her into the other-world?

She groaned – this was far too complicated! Fighting demons, she could manage, but trying to figure this through was complex. So Janaxia was some sort of living portal or something? At least she hadn’t summoned any demons herself yet. Stathis glanced at the girl again, who was now taking a sip of wine before giving a wide smile, showing off teeth that were sharper than they should be. Janaxia turned to her, swilling her own wine in an exaggerated fashion, giving it a sniff before sipping it, the girl following her example.

If the girl was the demon from the cave, then Janaxia had somehow transformed that giant creature into a human form, as well as make it interested in, apparently, how to pretend to fancily drink wine. But either Stathis had gotten a lot more drunk than she had thought yesterday, or there was some memory-fuckery going on. For everyone else to be affected, it must be quite potent! Janaxia seemed to fall under the effect of pretty much any mental effect going, but the others weren’t quite so easily effected, normally.

If the girl were a demon, then she would have to keep an eye on it, in case it was hollowing out Janaxia’s soul or something. If Janaxia still had a soul, anyway. So if that thing was a demon, then it was behaving itself. She looked as Janaxia tutted and waved a finger at it as she devoured another fish, chomping and crunching through the whole thing with about the same level of manners as Semari. Janaxia clearly didn’t approve, using her magic to clean off splatters of scales, meat and juices from the girl’s clothing and giving her a lengthy talk, presumably on the correct way to deal with messy food when being excessively prissy about appearances.

Would it be possible to dump enough “good” magic into her to try and make her better? Probably best not to try in public, but if she could get Janaxia to sit still long enough…

She took another drink, a long one, to fortify herself, before standing up and walking over to Janaxia. In deference to the lengthening shadows, her sun-bathing outfit was now more of a sarong, a light skirt tied around her waist and draping around her legs, midriff bare, a red-and-black bandeau top and her usual golden choker. Her tattoo was in its usual position, but looked oddly dull, the lines thick and dark, but looking like a normal tattoo, rather than anything eldritch or unusual.

She narrowed her eyes at Stathis, lips tight. Her makeup was immaculate – she’d clearly spent the day sunning herself, without making any attempt at swimming or movement, relaying on Sen for everything else. Beside her, the girl was looking at Stathis, scowling at her. Her clothing was similar to Janaxia’s, except a bit tattier-looking, the edges ragged and frayed. And her body was noticeably under-developed compared to Janaxia’s lush curves, not exactly a starving waif but still in need of feeding up, her figure lanky and not fully developed. She had manacles on her wrists as well, the chains dangling loose, an eerie mirror of Janaxia’s.

Do you have some business with me? Even mentally, Janaxia’s tone was one of restrained annoyance, the sort of voice she would use with servants she was upset with. She shifted her legs, the fabric shifting to hide her skin as she kept staring at Stathis, her pose eerily echoed by the girl.

‘Are you still not talking to me?’

There seems little to say.

‘Well, I wanted to check that you were alright, after everything that happened yesterday?’

Hmph. Another problem of yours that I seem to have, quite against my will, been dragged into. They were most uncouth! Wanting to sacrifice me – how rude.

‘Well, I did think they were all dead, and definitely didn’t think they’d be on some random backwater island. Um, your outfit looks nice.’

That got her an actual, physical sniff, a nailed hand tweaking the sarong a little, Janaxia still staring at Stathis.

‘So are you OK? And your, uh, friend?’ She didn’t dare extend her senses at all, not this close to Janaxia and the girl.

There’s no need to be rude. Her name is Skotadi, as you well know. After all, you did rescue her.

‘Uh, OK.’ Having the girl grin at her was unnerving, teeth too sharp and her eyes too bright, the long shadows making their colour impossible to determine. ‘Nice to meet you, Skotadi.’

The grin widened, before slipping as Janaxia actually physically spoke. ‘Remember your manners, Skotadi. Despite her many and myriad flaws, Stathis is of high rank. And how should people of rank be greeted?’

The girl seethed for a moment, her clothing ruffling as though caught in a breeze, hair rippling before settling into place as she stood, clothing baggy on her spare frame. Her curtsey was a little unpolished, but, clothing aside, would probably pass muster at most courts. Stathis gave a slight bow of her own back.

‘Are you training Skotadi in etiquette?’

Well, she is somewhat uncultured. But she is clearly of good stock, and hopes to reclaim her kingdom someday, along with her siblings. And so I have taken it upon myself to ensure she has the skills needed for her eventual position.

Stathis turned back to Skotadi. ‘So, you’re a princess or something?’

You are blunt almost to the point of insensitivity!

Despite Janaxia’s complaint, or perhaps not having heard it, Skotadi answered. Her voice was oddly normal, although her tone was even prouder than Janaxia in full flow. ‘My domains are currently much reduced, and my siblings and I driven to where our powers are weak.’ Her accent was similar to Janaxia’s, cut-glass words perfectly formed despite her overly-sharp teeth.

‘So how did you end up here?’

Really, Stathis, with all the poor thing has been through, and you want to question her about it?

‘Well, if she is the heir to somewhere, then there might be others after her. And you mentioned siblings?’

The girl grinned and hissed. ‘Oh yes, Stathis. One lies weakened, the other I know not, but I shall be the first amongst them. One shall lead, and it will be me! They shall bow down to my power!’

‘Janaxia, what have you been teaching her? She doesn’t need to beat up her siblings, she should help them.’

Janaxia gave a very delicate shudder, hair rippling. Oh no, that is rather naive, isn’t it? Only one can lead, after all. Better to be forceful when making your case, to discourage those that may harbour doubts about your strength. It is the natural way of things. And young Skotadi clearly has the properties needed to be a fine leader.

If Janaxia were teaching her, then she would probably leech all the money from her country and into an extensive set of clothing, a lot of fancy meals and expensive drink, and a lot of lovers. Although the girl was a little young for that!

‘So you got captured and split up from your siblings somehow, and then dragged here? Uh, if you don’t mind me asking, are you from Setha-in-the-Ash? You look a little… Sethan.’ That seemed more polite than pointing out her fangs, and that her eyes were not entirely normal.

‘They are but shadows of the grandeur of my siblings and I!’ She fixed Stathis with a look, all hauteur and imperious grandiosity, despite her diminutive stature and ill-fitting clothing. ‘Do you not remember rescuing me?’

Some power flickered within her eyes, and Stathis felt suddenly tired. She shook her head, dispelling the sensation. ‘No. We rescued Janaxia and I carried her down through the jungle. And apologised again about the cultists, but there was no-one else there.’

A look of annoyance flashed over Skotadi’s face so quickly that Stathis wasn’t sure it hadn’t just been a trick of the light.

Do stop bothering the girl, Stathis. I am tutoring her in the ways of high blood – an education, I note, that you seem to be sorely lacking in.

‘So, is she your apprentice now? Do you even know enough about your powers to teach them?’ That got her an exceptionally dirty look from Janaxia, emerald eyes looking narrowing further, her red lash throbbing angrily.

I have been acknowledged by my family and permitted to raise two ranks in as many days! While that is still not sufficient to acknowledge my full powers, to be allowed to rise so fast is an honour accorded to few. Kita would be highly unlikely ever to earn such a thing, for example. But Skotadi is cut from finer cloth and seems to be adept at the arcane arts.

Kita must be a nickname for Kivata? Maybe they got on better than it seemed? ‘OK, but let her talk to Hakara as well, when she’s not run ragged. It’ll be useful for her to learn normal magical theory as well.’

Janaxia sniffed at her. There is no need to be so rude, Stathis! Unless you doubt my skills?

‘Not so much doubt, as that you’re, uh… so in tune with magic that I don’t think you really know what you’re doing half the time. Someone that can unpack it might be a useful tutor. Mind if I talk to Skotadi?’

Given you seem unaccountably hostile, then I think not. I am teaching her how to carry herself amongst the lower orders. Magical force broke apart another fish, pulling flakes and fragments through the air towards Janaxia’s mouth. Do try and show sufficient self-control to not fall unconscious on the beach. Again! Do go enjoy the celebrations, I suppose you managed some good, even if it was largely at my expense. Again!

Skotadi snickered, staring at Stathis again, as she retreated, clearly being dismissed from Janaxia’s presence for the night.