“The truth is, Logan couldn’t care less about anything but his smithy and those awful dogs,” Aarya says. “All he wants is to make enough money to live his nasty reclusive life without being overly bothered. To that point, he would sell information about you to the Lions, but only if he didn’t have another way to make money off you; he hates them like everyone else. And while I couldn’t guarantee that you would actually show up at his smithy, Logan’s an information-monger and I could guarantee that he would realize you were a big payday if you did appear. Also, just because Logan had those trackers chase you out of the pub doesn’t mean he actually told them your identity; in fact I highly doubt he did. You should be thanking the crap out of me,” she says, and I lift an agitated eyebrow.

I stare at Aarya, not sure if she’s absolutely brilliant and just saved us or if she took a huge gamble that might have resulted in our capture—or worse.

“But whatever you two did in that pub is another story,” she says, and her tone turns more serious. “What in the hell were you thinking going into that place? And then running out like your butts were on fire?” She shakes her head like she’s embarrassed for me. “Lucky for you, we can stay in this apartment for the time being. Jackals aren’t like the rest of the Strategia—we don’t keep lavish flats in prestigious neighborhoods that are easy to find. We’re smart. We stay in unassuming neighborhoods in unassuming flats, making us much safer here than anywhere else.”

My eyes widen at the we in her sentence. Why on earth is she here, letting us stay at her Family’s apartment? Aarya is a lot of things, not the least of which is surprising, but I never thought her many unexpected traits would include generosity.

“Ash and I got a tip that might lead us to my dad and we were following it up,” I say.

“What kind of tip?” Aarya asks, leaning forward.

Before I get a chance to answer her, the door opens. Ash comes through holding a couple of shopping bags and a large pizza. My stomach growls at the sight of it. And right beside him is Ines—with her red braids woven into something that resembles a fashionable Mohawk. I do a double take. It makes sense that Aarya wouldn’t come alone, but I’m having a hard time believing that they came here at all.

Ash smiles, and there’s something so genuine about his happiness that, despite the lingering pain, I smile back.

“Some Thai, cheesy baked potatoes, and of course…pizza,” he says, putting the bags and box down on the coffee table.