7 Deadly Instincts (The Sinfire Chronicles Book 1)

Settie was pulled away to talk to Crewel about what had happened on the veranda while fieldkeepers tarted on the cleanup.

It did get everyone outside to enjoy the evening air before it got too cold.

Hama Hama Avarica was still chuckling about what Gray had said, while others blamed it on the dukeling, since it was common knowledge that Pamalee Thornpinch had been cut off. The fact that he was there at all was highly irregular. Of course, the fae queen behind screen didn’t comment.

Rynn and Ames were deep in conversation with the old dwarfess, who was all smiles, but those eyes were taking in every detail of the two elf girls.

As for Pinch and Lilian, they had retreated to their own corner of the room, near where Crewel and Settie were talking along with the fat duke of Pit City who saw the fire and display of magic as personally insulting. He did a great deal of shouting. It was all fake.

Both the princess and the disgraced duchess were soon taken away as well.

Gray was only biding his time. He’d be called in soon enough since Crewel loved to interrogate him. It was like a hobby for the old man.

Gray had poured himself another cup of charbrew when he saw Midj sitting by her self in a chair by the side of the wall. She was eating stuffed mushrooms but not with her usual relish. Near her, Tomi slept.

Gray sat down next to the goblin girl. “Not having a good time? I thought you were minutes away from finding a husband.”

“Don’t tease,” Midj said morosely. She offered him a mushroom. “Want one?”

“Certainly.”

He popped one into his mouth, and there was an explosion of flavor. Some kind of spiced cheese along with some indescribable spices had been inserted into the center of the mushroom and the whole thing had been deep fried. It was beyond delicious.

Gray couldn’t hid his enthusiasm. “By the gods of sea and sky, those are good.”

“I suppose.” Midj sighed.

Gray knew something was wrong for her to give him the amazing bit of food. “Talk to me. Did things not go well with Fieri Ingordia.”

“No,” she said. “They talked over me. They didn’t listen. I was just some goblin from Cracker Rock. They could care less. And I really thought I looked good tonight.”

“You did. You do. Sounds like they were assholes.”

Midj chuckled. “Papa warned me. He said that Belly goblins, especially the fancy ones from Gluttony City, were full of themselves. I thought, maybe, since I was on such a successful squad it would make a difference. It didn’t. Fieri went on for ten minutes about this fried chicken recipe, which wouldn’t be that good. I know cooking, and what he was saying was nonsense, but all them kill squad people just kept nodding and telling him he was so smart and strong. He likes to work out to build up them arm muscles. They are impressive, but he’s not a real fighter just like he’s not a cook. He just wants to look a certain way.”

“That’s his job,” Gray said. “He’s a politician with power. Those lickspittles know it, and they’re happy to kiss his ass to maybe get some of his crumbs. Or extra spittle.”

Midj made a face. “Lickspittle? That’s so gross. But ass kissing is gross too.” She sighed again. “You’re right. It’s just…I got my hopes up. I shouldn’t have. Maybe Shaunara is right. Maybe I am ugly.”

Gray patted her leg. “Shaunara is your bad sister, right?”

“Yup.”

“Fuck, Shaunara. You’re so cute you make buttons jealous.”

That made the sad goblin girl chuckle. “As in cute as a button. That’s funny and sweet, Gray. Sorry about the trouble out on the veranda. Lilian picked one heckuva time to get her adept magic. It hurts me to think that our Pinch doesn’t want to talk to her father. Family is everything.”

“Some families are everything,” Gray said. “And some families—”

Tomi finished his thought for him. “—are little more than resentments under construction. Or disappointment factories. Or just fucking evil. Take it from me, Mijdara, you have a good one. Well, other than Shaunara. She sounds like a bad sister, and I should know. I have bad stepsisters which is about a thousand times worse than the blood kind.”

Midj laughed. “And here I thought you were sleeping.”

Tomi laughed too. “Oh, I’m still sleeping. This is all just a dream.”

Midj grabbed Gray’s hand and held it which was her way. “Thanks for talking to me, Gray. You really helped. But talking with them Dining Dashers, do you know why they’re here?”

“Not really.”

“They’re going down into the Underdwell with us…to run protection against whatever demons that might be down there. They think it’s going to be boring. Well, most of them do. A couple, though, say that the regalia might still be living in these underground palaces. It’s a strange place, down deep in the dark. Demons that talk and think and would just love to eat our cores. Maybe the Troublemaker himself.”

Gray’s first thought was to tell her that the Underdwell was mostly empty, but he had fought those flying snakes. And he couldn’t shake his vision of the Wrath Tower falling. There had been a demon there, even before the tower fell. Maybe that demon lord was still around.

Instead, Tomi spoke first. “No, the Troublemaker is dead. Don’t ask me how I know because I can’t tell you.”

“Because of Settie,” Midj said.

“Because of Settie,” Tomi agreed.

Gray was about to say something else when Rynn was escorted back to him by Hama Hama Avarica herself.

The old dwarfess could only really waddle around, but she had one of the Collector Brigade squad members holding her arm for support. It wasn’t Grumli Greedway but someone else.

Gray stood up, as did Midj, as a show of respect. Tomi, though, had fallen back asleep. It didn’t take long,

When the goblin girl realized their cat girl friend hadn’t joined them, she went and pulled Tomi off her chair and made her stand.

Tomi blinked, wrinkled her nose, and then did a kind of awkward curtsy.

Miss Hama smiled, ignored the curtsy, and focused on Gray. “I was just discussing your future with your elven wife, Gray. The angel-headed one and not the quelling girl, though I did have a lovely conversation with Amaranthis. I see huge potential in both of your wives. You are a lucky man.”

“I am indeed,” Gray said, glancing at Rynn.

Her face was bright red, she was sweating, and her eyes were as bright and sparkling as he’d ever seen them. It was clear she was dying from excitement. Dying!

Miss Hama took out a lacey handkerchief, licked it, and dabbed at Gray’s face. “And you, standing their shirtless and covered in soot, promising that Squad 23 always delivers a show. Some might question that wisdom.”

Gray allowed her a bit of dabbing before gently grabbing her wrist and easing her arm away. Did he like the dwarf woman’s spit on his face? No. Did he tolerate it for his wife? Yes. “It was just another battle, your highness. And we won. Egalis Thornpinch needs to stay away from his daughter.”

Miss Hama stood with the handkerchief in his hand, staring at him. “Egalis is a favorite of the mysterious fae queen. It’s interesting she’s here at all, since she despised you, and you haven’t done anything to quell that hatred. The orcs hate you. And the dragons hate you. Doesn’t that worry you?”

“Not at all,” Gray said. “We’re going to win, and when we do, you’ll be firmly on our side. Then I might let you wash my face. Maybe. Though I’m just glad it’s ash and not blood this time.”

“Demon blood from the sound of it—when you emerged from the Underdwell, you were covered in demon blood. Now that I wouldn’t wash off. This is all about slaying demons, collecting their mana, and making large sums of money. But you’re right, Grayson Fade. Win and you will have my favor and the favor of the Jelosa family it seems.”

Rynn went white.

Miss Hama only smiled. “Yes, dear Rynnanatha, I saw you talking to Ambera Jelosa, who has been formally adopted. What was her name before?”

“Ambera Helalassa of the Generosity City Helalassa’s.” Rynn was trying to smile but she looked so afraid. She shouldn’t be. It was good that they had more than one option.

“Yes, generosity. I suppose things are different in the Crown.” The old dwarfess laughed. “And you, Midjara Munch. Don’t look so surprised, you and Tomika Ka are very well known given the fact that you made up fully two-fifths of Squad 23 before the fortunate arrival of two other very powerful and prominent recruits.”

“Original gangsters,” Tomi said with a smirk.

“Yes,” Miss Hama didn’t comment further. Her eyes were on the goblin girl. “It seems Fieri Ingordia was very impressed with you. I overheard him speak of your beauty. But of course, a goblin woman’s worth is in her ability to make pies. Or is it dumplings?”

“Dumplings,” Midj murmured, looking bewildered. “And my dumplings are all right.”

“I’m sure they are,” Miss Hama demurred. She patted her large stomach. “I would love to partake at some point.”

Midj tilted her head. “Fieri said I was pretty?”

“Beautiful was the word we heard. But then, all those goblin men only spoke of you for a moment before going on and on about fried chicken and their next hunt and if your family would make it to see you. And if the food in your restaurant was any good.”

Before Midj could speak a word, Grumli Greedway came over quickly. “Miss Hama, the spokes-bear, er spokeswoman of the Laza family wishes a word with you. I’m sorry to interrupt.”

The dwarfess laughed. “It’s not an interruption. Squad 23 knows that they have to do. And Karlita is only sending you over now because I’m with Squad 23. If I were you, Tomika Ka, I would stay clear of the Beastkin. Their family is one bad hunt from ruin. At the same time, they don’t want me stealing away the most promising recruit squad First Field has seen for generations. Good night to you all. And especially to you, Rynnanatha Sereph. Give my best to your father and mother. I look forward to working with them.”

The dwarfess moved off, this time supported by two of her kill squad manamancers.

Rynn waited until the fat old woman was out of earshot before squealing, “Did you hear that? It’s all working out perfectly. Perfectly! We’ll win, we’ll work for the Avarica family, and father will get his shop in Greed City. Oh, Gray, it’s magical.”

Tomi snorted. “And the old lady can really wipe her spit all over you, Gray. Maybe I’ll even get some. Why do I now I want to go talk to Karlita Laza and tell her the dwarf queen is talking shit about her family?”

Midj shook her head. “Did Fieri Ingordia really say that about me? Well, it doesn’t matter. Anyone that stupid about fried chicken is far beneath me.”

Tomi too hold of the goblin girl and gave her a side hug. “That’s the spirit.”

Music started up—a small band of orcish musicians started playing various instruments—a piano, several stringed instruments, and a drummer, and the dancing started.

Rynn dragged Gray out onto the dance floor and soon was holding him as they swayed to the music. It was a slow song.

She looked into his eyes. “Thank you.”

“For what?” he asked.

“For letting Miss Hama mother you and not make a big deal of it. You were perfect. You let her dab and then stopped her to let her know we don’t need her.”

The elf girl was also such a surprise to Gray. “Don’t we need her?”

Rynn was all smiles. “I’m going to ramble. Is that okay?”

“Always,” Gray kissed her forehead. He loved his elvish wife, ramble and all.

And then it was happening. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled that Miss Hama came to this party to talk to us. That’s what she said, at any rate. But we also have Ambera who is interested, though I can’t believe she was adopted into the family. She’s not just Ambera Helalassa anymore. I sincerely doubt that Mother knows. It gets even better, doesn’t it? It sounds like Sloth City and Envy City are interested in us as well. I’m not sure what kind of game the beastkin are playing, but the fact that the goblin family seemed to stub Midj is the age-old strategy of playing hard to get. You feign disinterest so you don’t see desperate. Father did that all the time. The more he wanted a deal the less interest he showed. It could be we might be living in Gluttony City when this is all over. I would gain weight. The food there is beyond description…or so I’ve heard. I’ve never actually been.”

“Don’t look at me,” Gray said. “I’m just a nully.”

“And I’m just an angel-head.” She smiled up at him as they glided across the floor. It was like they were the only people there.

He was brought back to those first few weeks when he’d lived at First Field with her. Everything had been so new, so foreign, but the very best part was living with this magical woman who was so strong, so confident, so sure of herself. And so very sane. She knew her good points, she knew what she had to work on, and that clarity made her so easy to get along with.

“What are you thinking?” she asked. “Do you miss my long hair?”

“No,” he said. “I fell in love with an elvish girl with short golden hair. It allows me to see your ears better. Plus, you have a very attractive scalp.”

She blushed. “And you have a very attractive body. And your core is so big. I love how big it is.” She giggled.

“Are we still talking about my core?”

“Maybe. Maybe not.” She pulled him in and kissed him. She didn’t care they were surrounded by recruit squads and kill squads and the ruling class of the Belly and the fieldkeepers and First Field faculty.

Let them all look. He and Rynn were in love, and that love had radiated out to include Ames, who soon joined them.

The three of them danced into the night.

Gray never was called in front of the magistrate. Settie seemed to take the brunt of the investigation, and she was still being grilled when the party began to break up around midnight.

The night was relatively warm as they made their way through the market, all seven of them.

Pinch and Lilian were quiet, but then, they had to have a lot on their minds after the events of the night.

The market was alive and thriving, even though it was so late. Pit City was filled with tourists, who had come for the Reckoning, the final event in the Testing. There was food to be had, drinks to be drunk, and all kinds of sinning to be done.

Even though the market was still busy, Gray was still surprised to see the lights still on at Softie’s shop, Excellent Inventory Unlimited. Then again, somehow he knew that Emerilia Stone was waiting to see them—not just him, Rynn, and Ames, but Lilian as well.

He had questions, and if the past was prologue, Emerilia would have answers.