As day turned to dusk, we all laid across the blankets and watched the sunset. There were only crumbs left from the food haul that Cannoli and I had prepared, and we all earned a healthy tan and sore bellies from laughing as we were pulled beneath the waves.

“Thank you, Matt,” Keke said, reaching over to take my hand in hers. “And Cannoli, for preparing all of this.”

“I wish we could stay like this forever,” Cannoli admitted, sliding her fingers through my other hand.

“Yeah. Me, too,” I murmured.

“Eventually, we will settle into Ni Island, correct?” Ceres asked, the top of her head touching mine. “Once we’ve convened with the final two men?”

“Mm. That’s the plan, anyway,” I replied. There was no way of knowing if Cailu would hit us with another expedition in the name of Nyarlea. Or how long we’d be on Ichi Island. Honestly, I was doing my best to take things one step at a time. Lynn first, Ichi next, then worry about whatever Cailu wanted.

“Then we will do this again soon,” Ceres said confidently.

Tristan and Ara sat behind me at the edge of the blanket, their shoulders and legs touching.

“Lynn would love this island,” Ara said idly.

“Then we can bring her here. Things are going to change, Ara. I’ll make sure of it,” Tristan replied.

Ara laughed beneath her breath, something close to a giggle but not quite. To my surprise, she leaned her head on Tristan’s shoulder. “I know you will, young Master.”

Ravyn perched farther down the sand’s slope, nursing her second bottle of wine and watching the tide ebb and flow. Her knees were pulled up to her chest and she adjusted her hat before resting her chin on her arms. Ball circled overhead, occasionally diving to the water and snagging a small fish or two from the surface.

Wish I knew what you were thinking, Ravyn.

Ceres sat up and stretched. “Shall we head back before it is too late?”

“Yeah. Let’s not get caught out here in the dark.” I squeezed Keke and Cannoli’s hands, then pushed myself to standing.

While the others folded the blankets and collected plates, I quietly padded my way through the sand to where Ravyn was sitting. Her tail and hair were still damp, errant strands clinging to her face and back. The last rays of light flickered against her pale face, illuminating the pink circles on her cheeks from a day of sunshine. I sat next to her and took the bottle of wine from the sand, killing the few droplets remaining. I positioned myself similarly, knees drawn up and arms resting on them, letting the bottle hang freely between them.

The ocean waves lapped at the shore, rolling in a soothing rhythm that harmonized the soft breeze through the nearby pawm trees. The warm sand seeped between my toes and partially covered the tops of my feet, the dimming sunlight reflecting against the grains like a thousand tiny diamonds. I inhaled the salty air, memorizing the orange and purple lights dancing across the water’s surface.

“Can I tell you something?” Ravyn asked, breaking the silence between us.

“Sure.”

She lifted a pinch of sand and rubbed it between her finger and thumb. “As much as I want to burn Celestia to a crisp, I’m more worried about Lynn.”

Ravyn? Sentimental? That was new. “Yeah?”

“Mm.” She grunted a sound somewhere between a growl and sigh. “I’d feel like it was my fault.”

I shook my head. “We needed someone to swap with to get Tristan out of there. She was the closest to his room.”

“Yeah. In the fucking jail cell that Ara’s since described to us.” Ravyn shuddered. “If Celestia’s kept her in there since we left, well… I don’t know many girls who could withstand something like that.”

“We’ll get her out of there.”

She stared at me for a few long seconds, then shook her head. “Mou ii. You’ve got to stop making promises you can’t keep.”

I shifted uncomfortably. “What do you mean?”

“You have no idea if she’s still alive. None of us do. Don’t set us up for disappointment should the worst come to pass.” Ravyn slipped off her hat and ran a hand through her hair. “Nyarlea can be a shit show. Expecting the best will get you killed.”

I wanted to ask if that was what happened to Finn. But not now. Not when we’d finally circled back to decent terms. She’d tell me when she was ready. “I’m sorry. I’ll try to be better about it.”

She snickered. “Baka. I don’t hate that part of you. Just don’t want to see anyone get upset.”

“Matt! Ravyn! We’re losing daylight!” Keke called.

I stood and brushed the sand from my trunks before offering her my hand. “Ready to head back?”

She glanced back at the ocean, then up at my hand. “Yeah. I am.” She nodded. After a brief hesitation, she took it, allowing me to help her to her feet.

I don’t want to see anyone upset, either.

Her hand lingered in mine as we returned to the group. She let go when Ball descended to land on her shoulder, then nibbled at her hat.

“Tomorrow’s the big day,” I said, collecting the basket beneath one arm. “Let’s get some rest.”

With one final look at the sunset against the ocean, I followed Keke back to her house.

I didn’t sleep well that night. I had vivid nightmares that I kept falling back into every time one woke me. Being trapped in the Venicia School of Etiquette, but the halls twisted and turned in an impossible maze. Celestia taking Tristan and Ara hostage. All thirty-two flavors of Felsi’s ice cream shop turned to poison. In one particularly terrible dream, Celestia had a team of archers waiting at the docks with flaming arrows at the ready, sinking Portia’s ship before it could make land and leaving us all at the mercy of a Defiled with a thousand sharp teeth.

“Matt. Matt!” My arm shook, and a very concerned Keke came into view. “Are you okay?”

Sweat soaked my back and hair, and my breathing rasped. My vision cleared, and I sat up, pushing aside the image of Keke being gnawed in half by the Creature from the Black Lagoon. She was standing next to me, perfectly intact, dressed for the day with her bow strung across her back.

I leaned forward, letting my head rest against her stomach. She ran her hand through my hair. “Bad night?”

“Yeah.” I circled my arms around her waist and sighed. “Time to go, huh?”

“It is. I tried to let you sleep as long as I could. You were tossing and turning all night.”

What an angel. “Thanks.”

“You sure you’re alright?”

The feel of her embrace and her delicate fingers in my hair cleared the last of the nightmare’s immediate terror. I breathed in her scent, then let her go. “I’ll be fine. Let’s head down to the docks. I don’t want to keep Portia and the others waiting.”

I changed and made sure I had the last of my supplies before we left together for the dock. The others had arrived shortly before us, and Portia appeared the most hale and hearty of them all, her bright eyes and sharp smile flashing as we approached.

“Back to the weird island again, huh?” Portia hooked her thumbs through her belt loops and rocked on her boots. “Not gonna make me wait on the shitty end for another two weeks, are ya?”

I frowned, feeling the first waves of embarrassment hit my face. “No. This should be a lot quicker.”

“Goodness, I did not realize you waited for the entirety of Sir Matt’s journey,” Ceres blustered, bowing low at the hips. “Please, forgive me. It is surely my responsibility for your inconvenience.”

Portia guffawed and patted Ceres on the back. “You’re a fine piece of work, Ceres. Just teasing Matt is all.”

“Excuse me, but why do you find Shi Island weird?” Ara asked, tilting her head.

“Erm. Well, you see,” Portia backpedaled, stretching her words between hems and haws.

My turn. I crossed my arms. “Yeah, Portia. Why are they weird?”

“Shut up.” Ravyn elbowed me in the side, and I hissed.

“Jeez. Fine.” I rubbed the area she’d struck. That was gonna leave a bruise.

“Just different, I guess. All prim and proper.” Portia shrugged. “Not bad. Just not what I’m used to.”

“Then, there really are no other schools of etiquette outside of Shi Island?” Ara asked, meeting each of our gazes in turn.

“I think there’s one in Nyarlothep, but that’s it,” Ravyn replied. “Shi is pretty weird for that.”

Oh? Do I get to elbow you in the ribs now?

“Not weird! Just different!” Cannoli chanted. “We all have different backgrounds, and it’s wonderful. It’s what lets us work together!”

“Cannoli’s right. It’s good that we all bring different perspectives to the Party,” Tristan added. “We can learn a lot from one another.”

Cannoli blushed, then twirled a long strand of hair around her finger. “T-thank you, Tristan.”

I shouldn’t have felt jealous. Okay, maybe I was a little jealous.

“Everyone ready to head out?” I asked, hoping to shift Cannoli’s attention.

There was a circle of nods.

“Oh, Tristan. Change into your [Combat Mode],” Keke said.

“Oh, yeah! Sorry! [Combat Mode]!” Tristan cried.

His jeans and top vanished, quickly replaced by multiple layers of flowing fabrics. He had a pair of black pants tucked into leather boots, covered by a dark blue tabard with gold edging. A white tunic with draping sleeves and a high collar poked out of the top of the tabard. A red cloak wrapped around his chest then flared out behind him, topping off the ensemble alongside a brown belt with a freshly purchased [Cat Pack].

Shit. I forgot to ask about upgrading my [Cat Pack]. Guess that’ll have to wait.

“How do I look?” Tristan grinned, grabbing the edge of his cloak and giving it a flourish.

Cannoli clapped her hands and squealed with delight. “You look wonderful! Did Ara get this for you?”

Ara blushed, then nodded. “I did. Quinn helped us put it together.”

Tristan summoned a thick tome covered with runic symbols and a brilliant gold star. He murmured a quick spell, and Desiree leaped from its pages. The cat familiar wove between his legs, brushing against his calves and purring in delight.

“I should be able to help now! I refuse to be dead weight anymore.” Tristan knelt and scratched Desiree between the ears. “Oh, I’ve been meaning to ask. Ravyn, wouldn’t it be easier if you called Ball when you needed him? Familiars can come at your command, right?”

Ravyn’s eyes went wide, and she glanced at the blue parrot on her shoulder. “I mean, I guess so, but…” Her fingers clenched air at her sides, and she shook her head. “It’s not important. Get on the damn boat.”

Keke coughed into her hand, masking a laugh. Tristan shrugged and boarded Portia’s sloop, looking far more ready for adventure than he had since we’d picked him up.

“I’m glad I never have to dismiss Buttons. I love him too much,” Cannoli crooned, touching her nose to the blazard’s face.

“Never a dull moment with you all, is there?” Portia chuckled.

I took a seat near Portia in case she needed help manning the sloop, and Keke sat nearby.

Once we were all settled, Portia raised the anchor and steered us away from the harbor. “Hold on to your hats, friends. Next stop: Shi Island.”