I wiped the stray remnant of tears from my eye as I exited Cannoli’s room. A billion thoughts swarmed my mind as I entertained what the formal education of Saoirse could look like. From what I’d heard up until now, Saoirse rubbed me the wrong way. But I wasn’t about to denounce her in front of anyone. For now, I was just pissed that a goddess was taking Cannoli away from me.

I shook my head and turned on my heel to leave, gliding down the hall at a brisk walk. There wasn’t any point in thinking about this. Cannoli had made her decision, and I had no right to tell her what to think or believe. All I could do was hope that the Cannoli I cared about would still be there by the time she became a [Priest], and, if I was lucky, she’d come back to me.

Everyone needs something to believe in, Kelmer.

I stopped when I saw Ceres at the opposite end of the hall. She didn’t carry the same gait in her step as usual, but she was no less impressive to look at.

“Ceres!” I called.

Ceres turned to look at me, clapping her hands beneath her chin before performing a perfect curtsey. “Sir Matt!”

I ran to her, eager to get my mind off of Cannoli and elated to see Ceres back on her feet.

“It is such a pleasure to see you again. I yearned to be beside you once more.”

“I know, Ceres,” I said, smiling. I wanted to pick her up and hug her, but I was too afraid of making her injury worse. “How are you feeling? You sure you’re okay to walk?”

“Quite,” she nodded and rested her hands against her apron. I’d expected her to have ditched the maid attire for something else, considering what it looked like after Sanrai and the cave-in. But her outfit was strangely absent of any noticeable damage. “Staying in bed for an extended period of time has put pawm civets in my feet.”

“In your feet?”

“You have never heard the term.” She phrased it like a statement as if she were saying it aloud to confirm it rather than ask me.

I shook my head anyway.

“It means to have restless feet. As if they scurry with the minds of pawm civets.” She laughed. “After my training as a [Magic Knight], I struggle to find solace in moments of rest.”

On my left, I caught Lara ascending the spiral staircase, her eyes half-open with Destiny and Tristan close behind.

“Oh hey, it’s the other maids,” I teased.

“Yes,” Lara said. As with Ceres, Lara had managed to keep her maid uniform intact. Now that I was thinking about it, sewing was likely one of the skills taught in the school of etiquette. It was easy to imagine Ceres and Lara stitching their clothes back together in recovery. “We are together again.”

“Just don’t overdo it,” Destiny said with a gentle hand on her shoulder.

“Sister, I’m fine,” Lara said, plucking her sister’s hand from her shoulder and kissing the top. “The Elements have already accepted my apology. They’re in a great mood today.”

Until they’re not.

“Hey, Tristan,” I said with a flick of my head. He paused but offered a gentle smile. “How are you holding up?”

“Fine. How about you, Matt?” he asked.

I nodded. “About the same. I’m ready to leave this island in the dust. I’m sure you are, too.”

“Yeah,” he said with what sounded like a forced laugh. “Me too.”

A couple hours later, we settled into the arena. This time, Keke had asked to do some fighting on her own. It was strange to see her standing alone at the center, waiting for the next batch of Encroachers to attack her. It made me feel a bit uneasy if I’m being honest. At the same time, though, I knew how capable Keke was. Even in a worst-case scenario, the arena’s [Priest], Kirti, and I were all available in case something happened. Cailu was strangely absent.

Jeenie wouldn’t release hell on Keke, would she? I caught Jeenie staring at me like her new favorite snack. She licked her lips and blushed when she realized I was looking back. C’mon, Jeenie. Don’t let me down.

I sat higher up in the stadium than everyone else. Whenever I’d go to a circus or some other open-air event, I preferred to get a seat in the back so I could see everything that was happening. Sure, there weren’t many heads to look over, but old habits die hard.

I leaned back against the stone behind me, somewhat glad to be alone with my thoughts. Watching Keke fight was just the distraction I needed to pull me out of any lingering doubts concerning Ceres and Cannoli. I wasn’t sure if we should talk about Kirti’s saving Ceres. But if Ceres wasn’t going to say anything, then neither was I.

Keke nocked an arrow across her bow, loosing it the moment the portcullis opposite her opened. I couldn’t see what happened, but I did know there were supposed to be four scaled hunchbacks—a sorta goblin-like creature with black scales and a giant underbite—and only three came out. I had to assume Keke had shot one dead already. Everyone else exploded with applause and cheer as the others barreled toward her.

The hunchbacks moved like monkeys and were apparently also Encroachers from Nyarlothep. They had terrible tempers and tough skin—the perfect kind of monster for Keke to fire a few arrows into. Like an orc, they bore thick, jutting teeth from their lower jaw. From what Jeenie had told us, they used their jaws to crack open the tough shells of hair nuts—a coconut-looking fruit—and drink the nectar inside.

I assumed that meant they were herbivores. It turns out that they also used their jaws to crack open the skulls of Encroachers and, horrifyingly enough, catgirls.

“[Pinpoint Weakness]!” Keke cried before shooting two more arrows into the chest of an approaching hunchback. The creature fell to its side, prompting Keke to lift her leg before smashing it down on the hunchback’s neck. With her hand free of arrows, she retrieved the dagger around her belt and stabbed it in the temple.

I grinned, intoxicated by Keke’s nimble movements.

God damn, you’re sexy.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Cailu entering the arena next. He and I locked gazes for a moment, and he gestured toward me. I hoped that didn’t mean he would sit next to me. I really couldn’t deal with his disappointment in me on top of everything else going on. I rested one leg on top of the other and stretched my arms out in hopes that he would bother me another time.

I had no such luck.

“Matt,” Cailu started. “May I?”

I leaned forward and set my head against my palm.

“Sure,” I said, making no effort to hide my disdain. I glanced at him, noticing his arm was finally free of the sling. “How’s the arm?”

“Better.” He took the seat to my right.

“Glad to hear it.”

Seconds of uncomfortable silence swept past us. As much as I tried to keep my attention on Keke, I’d grown to understand that Cailu was not a man who participated in activities unless he saw a reason to do so. His sitting next to me was no coincidence. He wanted something.

“If you would allow it,” said Cailu, “I would appreciate you clearing something up for me.”

I clenched my jaw. “Sure. Go ahead.”

“During our campaign against the Defiled on San Island, Yomi took an interest in you.”

Something told me this conversation had a chance to come up, but I had hoped he moved on. The hairs rose on my skin. My toes curled, and my heart began to race. My stomach twisted into knots.

“Oh yeah?” I said. There was safety in ignorance, and I had no idea what he wanted. I clenched my fists and kept them out of sight in an effort to hide my trembling. I watched Keke fight and tried to absorb myself in her. Why the fuck was Yomi still bothering me?

“A number of circumstances arose, and Yomi had to be removed from my Party.” He paused, his attention on the fight before him. “Do you know anything about that?”

“How should I know? She wasn’t my Party member,” I spat back.

The small crowd roared as Keke defeated the third hunchback. I couldn’t tell you what happened. While my eyes were looking, my mind was blank, as if I couldn’t see what was right before me. I felt scared, timid, ashamed, vulnerable.

I don’t want to fucking talk about this.

“I wish to speak of this with delicacy, Matt. I have no doubt that your Party members informed you of your role here in Nyarlea.” Cailu took a deep breath. “Yomi disappeared the night of the Defiled attack. Naeemah nor I could track her whereabouts.”

Another bout of silence.

Maybe he was expecting me to confirm or deny something, but instead, I kept my trap shut.

“Matt,” Cailu continued. “Yomi had to be removed from the Party due to pregnancy.”

“I didn’t offer anything to her,” I growled.

I’m going to punch this man in about four fucking seconds. Third Class or not,

“I do not doubt the sincerity of your words, Matt. The truth was plain to see. The circumstances behind it even more so.”

The sound of Yomi’s bells rang in my head. Maybe it was my imagination or something else, but I felt a sharp pain where my earring was.

“That earring,” said Cailu. “I recognize the gemstone. It is commonly used to ward off Enchantments. You were not wearing it the day of the Defiled fight.”

Ace detective right here.

“So what?” I said. “I got new equipment. What do you care?”

“I am not breeching this subject to cast blame on you,” Cailu quickly said. “Yomi’s actions are reprehensible. She must be brought before the queen for judgment.”

“No,” I hissed.

At last, Cailu and I looked at each other. His stare was hard, cold, and perplexed. Ravyn had told me everything I needed to know about Yomi’s situation—my daughter’s situation—and my options. I was not about to track her down to have her imprisoned or worse.

“Punishment must be wrought upon her, Matt,” Cailu argued. “I do not mean to imply we waste valuable time and effort in locating her. A simple bounty would prove well enough. Time would force her hand. Surely you see that.”

Flashes of Yomi showing up on Ni, begging forgiveness. I don’t know if I could ever forgive her. But… “I said no. Ravyn told me about my rights.”

Cailu cocked his head back, his expression like that of one whose last puzzle piece clicked into place. “I see,” he said. “You worry for your daughter.”

“Yeah. And I guess… to some extent, for Yomi.” I ran a hand through my hair. “I don’t know why. Laugh all you want.”

He frowned. “This is not a laughing matter, Matt.” The man sighed, setting his sights on the battle. “I will not force your hand, but I must implore you to reconsider.”

“I won’t reconsider, Cailu.” I was getting tired of repeating myself. “The last thing I will do is place the stigma of a rapist on my daughter.”

“You care for a daughter you never agreed to.” Cailu studied me in disbelief. “You’ve met, then?”

“No.”

“Matt—”

“She doesn’t deserve it. She’s done nothing wrong,” I snapped before he could continue. “Yomi can’t do any further damage anyway, and I’m not a big believer in sins of the mother falling to the daughter.”

Cailu searched my face in silence. For what, I couldn’t say. At last, he stood. “Very well.” He extended a hand. “I wanted to be sure you were aware of your options. Our obligation is a heavy burden. We would do well to support one another.”

“Yeah.” I took his hand and shook it. “I agree.”

Cailu nodded and walked the other way. With him finally gone, I turned my attention back to the fight. Some black gunk—probably the Encroacher’s blood—was splattered across Keke’s waist, but she was otherwise clean and unharmed. It was an overwhelming victory for her.

“Appear, iPaw.” The device manifested in my hand. I scrolled down to where I could see our Experience and grinned. Keke was Level 10.

Nyarlothep would surely be the greatest test thus far. Shi and Ichi had each been their own can of worms. But as a team, we pushed through and accomplished the impossible. Former enemies had even become allies in some cases. As Second Classes, we could do so much more.

I could do so much more.

Our time on Ichi was coming to an end.