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I sighed dramatically. "He's uncomfortable."

"I noticed."

"And you're just going to stand there?"

"That was my intention."

I looked down at Reggie. "Sorry. Apparently the terrifying infernal hunter has been defeated by an elderly cat."

"I have not been defeated."

"No?"

"No."

"Then prove it."

He narrowed his eyes. "I dislike being manipulated."

"I know."

"You are becoming disturbingly proficient."

"I've had an excellent teacher."

He muttered something under his breath in Infernal. Then crouched. Very cautiously. As though approaching a venomous serpent. Reggie looked up. The cat hissed. Azaren hissed back.

I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Seriously?"

"He started it."

"He weighs eight pounds."

"He lacks manners."

Before I could answer, Reggie scratched at his face again and let out another miserable cry. Azaren watched him, sighed. "This is inefficient."

"What is?"

He held out one hand. Dark crimson magic gathered around his fingertips.

"Azaren, wait⁠—"

Too late. The infernal light flowed over Reggie like liquid fire. Warm. Gentle. Gone almost as quickly as it had appeared. The cat blinked. Then blinked again. Where the empty scar had been... a bright green eye stared back at me. His tail twitched. Long. Whole. Completely restored.

Reggie gave one satisfied little meow, flicked his tail in an almost smug fashion, and sauntered out of the room as though nothing unusual had happened.

I slowly turned toward Azaren. "Did you just..."

He shrugged. "It was the easier solution."

I stared at him. "You healed him."

"I repaired damaged tissue."

"You gave him his eye back."

"It seemed useful."