The middle-aged Fate nodded. “Yes, Eve, we have selected you as a candidate for ascension. Trsiel has told us that you figured that out…” A reproachful look his way. “With a little help from him. While it’s not the way we wanted you to learn of our plans, we will not deny it. However, it will always be your decision to make. We would never force you to ascend.”

“But the point is moot anyway, considering I can’t get that sword until I’ve completed this quest…and if I’ve completed the quest, I don’t need Dachev.”

“The inaugural quest is not an entrance exam. It is an assessment of your training requirements. We have chosen you, and although we’re supposed to wait until after the quest to let you ascend, in this case the Creator would grant an exception. There is, however, another, less reliable way. If you do not wish to become an angel—”

“I don’t.”

She glanced from Kristof to me. “Your…attachment to this world has changed, then?”

“It has.”

She nodded. “Then perhaps that will be what you needed. As I said, the choice was yours, and we will not press the matter further, although we may find other tasks for you from time to time.”

“That’s fine. Thank you. Now what’s this other way?”

“You know there are magics for testing the sincerity of a demon. Something I believe you’ve tested fairly recently.” Her gaze shunted to Kristof. “There are also magics to do the same with a spirit. This spell would test Dachev’s words, but couldn’t force him to speak those words.”

“In other words, I need to trick him into telling me.”

She shook her head. “This spell requires his active participation. He must recite part of the incantation, and you cannot ‘trick’ him into doing that.”

“Okay, so I have to persuade a psychopath trapped in hell to voluntarily tell me how to catch his former partner—”

“There’s more.”

“Of course there is.”

Kristof walked behind me and put his arms around my waist, letting me lean against him. I felt his warmth against my back and relaxed.

“He can hurt you,” the Fate said.

“Who? Dachev? But I’m a—”

“A ghost, yes. But in that world—it’s part of the magic there. Physical pain is possible, and there’s nothing we can do to shield you from it. He can’t kill you, of course, but he can hurt you…and we may not be able to erase all the damage.”

“Uh-huh. Well, I didn’t really need both my arms anyway.”

Kristof chuckled against my ear.

The Fate frowned at me. “I don’t think you’re taking this seriously, Eve.”

“Look, compared to what you’ve already suggested, I’m willing to take the risk, okay?”

“We’re willing,” Kris murmured against my ear. “I’ll be right beside you.”