“Lost? Like they fell into the sideways hole?” Perfidy was struggling to imagine the scene.

“Exactly. Then the hole closed itself up and disappeared like it was never there in the first place. Sinna stopped glowing and her feet settled back onto the ground. And then she said, ‘Don’t be like Garon,’ and turned and walked away like nothing had happened. Was the most incredible thing I’ve ever witnessed.”

“More like the most traumatizing,” Jereb muttered.

“So that’s the Second Rule,” Aliza continued. “Don’t be like Garon.”

“Is there a Third Rule?”

“Up until a few weeks ago, no. But now I’d say ‘Don’t go in there’ is rule number three.” As Jereb had done before, she gestured to the small, windowless hut.

“’Cause Sinna said not to, right?”

“Curiosity killed the cat. Or so they say.”

“My ma used to say sumthin’ like that, ’cept it was ‘curiosity killed the cat, ate it fer supper, an’ spit out its bones.”

Aliza smiled. “I like that version better. Now let’s see what you got, novice. Bottom’s up.”

Perfidy considered the glowing contents of the vial, but then, without thinking about it too much, popped out the cork and slugged it back. The godsblood was warm and slightly sweet, like syrup, and also made a strange thrumming vibration in the back of her throat as she swallowed. But overall, it had a pleasant taste and instantly warmed her belly. It also made her feel…strong. Not just like you felt after a hearty meal, but more than that. Like she could climb a tree all the way to the top. Like she could pick up a stone that should’ve been way too heavy for her. Like she could fight off a trio of ruffians without breaking a sweat.

The warmth spread throughout her, intensifying in a spot just next to her right eye, the feeling so intense she reached up absently to touch her skin.

“By Narcissi’s Grace,” Jereb said, awe in his tone. “That’s…I’ve never seen that happen before.” He was staring at her like she was on fire. Other heads had begun to turn in her direction as well. Even Aliza, who seemed a difficult person to impress, was looking at her with slightly wider eyes and an open mouth.

“Seen whut?” Perfidy asked. “Someone scull a vial of godsblood? Cuz that was nuthin’. Ma even let me drink a bit o’ ale here an’ there an’ I ended up bein’ able to drink her under the table.”

“No,” Jereb said, that gravity still in his tone. “You’ve manifested your first gold leaf just by drinking godsblood.”

“I did?” Perfidy moved the tip of her finger across that spot of warmth, as though trying to scratch an itch. Sure enough, she felt a slightly raised area, which she traced with her fingernail. There was no doubt—it was in the shape of a small leaf. “Is that good?”

“It’s not not good,” Jereb said.