“There’s some sort of enchantment at the border—that’s what they said, anyway. For nearly two decades, when northern fae pass from Raascot into Farehold, they’re perceived as the demonic things you saw last night. They were just men, two fae men, only as evil and grotesque as myself or Ash or Samael.”

Malik chuckled. “I guess that’s her way of telling you she thinks you’re ugly.”

The men exchanged elbows as she continued.

“I don’t know why, but I didn’t see ag’imni when they were speaking to me. I saw them for who they are.”

Ash considered this. His eyebrows slowly lifted as he processed the information in real time. Finally, he offered, “Here we’ve been wondering why your night vision was so terrible for a faeling. Maybe this is your gift of sight. Amaris, perhaps you can see through enchantments.”

She could feel the weight of their gaze as they studied her purple irises. Amaris tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and continued, “I made a judgment call last night, and I need both of you to support my decision.”

Malik gave her a dry raise of his eyebrows. “Yes,” he said, “we were there. You made the call to brainwash your favorite friend and spare the demons.”

“I’m pretty sure I’m her favorite friend.”

“You definitely aren’t. Amaris, which one of us do you like better?”

She winced, ignoring them and their ill-timed humor. She tried again. “Okay, I made a few judgment calls last night. I told them of our mission.”

The boys stiffened briefly at that piece of information, breakfast meats freezing halfway between their plates and their mouths as they waited for her to explain.

Amaris went on, “Samael instructed us to find out why the queen has a vendetta against the north and to see if we can’t persuade her to stop the killings of men or fae from Raascot. It seemed pertinent to tell the dark fae that my mission, in so many words, is to save their lives while on this side of the border. Also, I like Malik better.”

“Told you.”

She knew they weren’t thrilled that she’d made the decision without them, but they saw the wisdom in her choice. Her companions nodded, ready to accept her rationale—Malik was particularly agreeable since he’d been established as the favorite. Their dispatch wasn’t exactly of utmost secrecy, and it would only grant them more allies if the northern fae knew the mission was to find amnesty for them. Besides, what was the harm of one or two fewer demons in the woods who needed to be slain?

Ash finished his final swallow and drained his teacup. “The question, then, is how are we supposed to know if we come across a real ag’imni? Swinging first and asking questions later seems like a bad policy for prospective allies.”