Queen of the Underworld | Book 3

• thirty-seven •

"How is your spy?"

I blinked, snapping back to reality. The late afternoon sun's rays filtered through the leaves of the trees. It was too hot to exercise, too muggy from the day's downpours for it to be comfortable. It was the time of the year where most stayed inside to avoid the miserable weather. But we were out in the woods anyway, taking advantage of the last few minutes of sunshine.

While Damien worked on his magic, I worked on mine separately. I paused and waited, listening. I listened to the forest drink in the fresh rainwater but it was muffled. The sounds of the forest weren't like they were once. It used to breathe and move and teem with life. I couldn't hear it like before and I suspected the reason.

Dark magic was clouding my Light. I had to work with it somehow, move forward despite it.

Damien's tone was deadpan. He was still beating himself up for what I told him the other day. Our conversations were limited, usually to one or two words and only pertinent to our training or his meetings back in the Underworld. He was making conversation for the sake of making conversation. I could tell his heart wasn't in it.

We all trained together with Leah and Julian spending the most time together. From sun up to sun down we'd train our power and exercise to extend our stamina in case it was needed.

There was nothing left to do while we waited for answers related to the necklace Julian and I found.

And there was nothing light-hearted left to say between Damien and me. It was now all business.

I wouldn't back down from being mad at him and he still hadn't apologized.

We were at an impasse.

But I wouldn't back down.

"Our spy," I corrected. "I haven't heard from him since last week." Not since our secret Bargain was made in exchange for him being our spy.

"You should visit him soon. Make sure he's doing what he promised." He lifted his hand and sparks flew from his fingers. "You're queen, he can't think he can get the better of you."

He was right. "I'll go to him, unannounced."

There was a ghost of a smile on his lips. He wasn't fighting it, but it seemed that he didn't notice he was doing it. "He'll love that."

I hid my smile at his sarcasm just as a dull crack resounded around us.

We didn't move from our spot, knowing fully well who caused it. I turned to look at the bottom of the hill and saw Leah in full workout gear practicing hand to hand fighting with Julian.

Her face was pink from exertion. Her hair stuck to the sweat along her hairline. She looked like a warrior goddess in her garb, giving Julian as much energy as she could muster as she fought with him.

Damien remained unfazed by her efforts. His face was stoic even when she showed an impressive amount of power despite the small amount of time she'd been training.

Whether it was because she was pushing herself extremely hard or if she had always had a natural ability and was more powerful than most, she was showing incredible skill, discipline, and energy. Even with our differences and our tainted past, I was impressed. I was more than happy that she was on our side.

A small part of me wished we could have been friends when I was human before.

I cleared my throat, my eyes glancing over to both Julian and Leah at the bottom of the hill but still sparing a look in Damien's direction for some sort of reaction. "She's improving."

"Hmm." His eyes never left his hands. "Julian is an excellent teacher."

"Hey!"

I looked at Julian as he called us.