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Oberon laughed heartily, tugging her further into the crowd. “You’re about to be very naughty, I hear.”
“What? No! I’m just here to—” Peri started, but Oberon’s playful glance silenced her. He chuckled boisterously, as if he could see right through her.
“You’ve been collecting a multitude of ingredients from magical creatures recently,” he said, his tone light yet knowing. “Do you think we don’t talk to each other? We know what you’re up to, little hellion.”
She gaped back at him, struggling to steady herself, then, gathering more courage than she actually felt, asked, “Are you here to stop me?”
Oberon’s deep laugh rumbled through the air. “Hardly!”
“Then what do you want?” Peri pressed, brow furrowing.
He leaned in conspiratorially. “I’m here to help you succeed.” With a mischievous grin, Oberon pulled her away from the revellers, guiding her into a secluded grove. In the heart of the copse sat a small, disgruntled Riddle Rat.
Oberon knelt before her, prompting Peri to do the same. Moonlight bathed the Riddle Rat’s soft grey fur, turning it into a shimmering prism of colours. The rat lifted her tiny pink nose, eyeing Peri. “What has teeth but can’t bite?”
Startled, Peri blinked, confused. “I’m sorry… what?”
The Riddle Rat threw her tiny arms up in exasperation. “I can’t help her, Oberon. She’s an imbecile.”
Oberon chuckled under his breath, muttering something to the rat. She rolled her eyes with a dramatic groan. “Fine! You’ve twisted my paw—I’ll give you one more chance.”
This time, Peri straightened her shoulders, determined to rise to the challenge. She had known a riddle was coming, but she hadn’t expected such immediate scorn. In a voice high and unbearably arrogant, the Riddle Rat asked, “What is so fragile that saying its name breaks it?”
Peri’s pulse quickened. Thank the spirits—she knew this one. “Silence?”
“Is that a question or your answer?” The Riddle Rat demanded, hands on her hips.
“Silence,” Peri confirmed with as much confidence as she could muster.
The rat pointed a tiny, accusatory finger at her. “You cannot use Redcap Fungus harvested under moonlight. It must be picked as the first rays of dawn touch the earth. Honestly, with what you’ve collected, you won’t explode a thing.” She thrust a tiny mushroom into Peri’s hand. Peri gingerly accepted it, and the rat’s sharp eyes assessed her with ruthless scrutiny as she said, “I can’t believe you’re the milksop we’re stuck with.” She shrugged. “But fine, I’ll throw in one more piece of advice: When your opponent goes low—”
Peri sighed deeply, already knowing what was coming. “I know, then I go high—”
The Riddle Rat grinned. “Exactly! Right for the eyes! And jab ‘em in the throat if you can swing it.”
Peri bit back a laugh. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
She tucked the Redcap Fungus into her bag and left with Oberon, who wished her luck before disappearing into the celebration with the others. Though the whole exchange had been strange, Peri didn’t have time to question why so many magical creatures seemed eager to help her. Her to-do list was growing longer, and the clock was ticking.
Peri found Brenn laughing with a group of Floralia Circle demonkind. Brenn was wearing a soft pink dress that clung to her body like ivy, her bare arms showing off her strong muscles. One lanky demoness playfully pulled Brenn into a kiss before skipping away.
Peri slipped behind her, pressed a note into Brenn’s hand, and vanished into the shadows. Brenn read the note, then excused herself from the party, strolling cheerfully toward the Fauns’ Garden.
Peri silently appeared beside her. “Did you bring everything on the list that Zila gave you?”
“Obviously.” Brenn nodded. “We made this plan together, remember?”
Peri let out a nervous laugh. “Sorry. I’m just nervous.” After a beat, she nudged Brenn with her shoulder. “Was that Taryn?”
“It was,” Brenn beamed, her eyes lighting up. “Isn’t she the most beautiful demoness you’ve ever seen?”
Peri grinned. “I’m so happy for you. You deserve to be with the loveliest demoness in Hell.”
“I do, don’t I?” Brenn agreed with a satisfied grin.
They pushed their way through the chaos until they reached the entrance to the Fauns’ Garden. The atmosphere was quieter here, and the further they ventured, the darker it became. Soon, the only sounds were the distinctly erotic noises of beings who’d found more enjoyable pursuits than the ones Peri and Brenn had in mind.
Zila prowled back and forth nervously, her fur bristling with tension. When the hellcat finally caught Peri’s scent, she leapt toward her, nuzzling their heads together in greeting.
