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Asad appeared and led everyone inside. Hector moved to help carry Zeff, but a pair of much larger men were already there, so he just stuck close to the children.

The building’s interior left him gawking again. Polished black tiles covered the floor of the entryway, matched by an obsidian lion that looked pretty much life-size, by Hector’s estimation. A team of butlers were there to greet them as well, offering to take luggage that most of the Rainlords chose to hold onto. Hector did the same with his one bag.

‘Wow,’ Garovel said privately. ‘We knew Asad was rich, but holy shit. This place is ridiculous.’

Hector had to stifle a laugh. ‘Do you think he’s richer than Roman?’

‘Ha. Dunno. Now that I think about it, we seem to have a lot of rich friends, don’t we?’

Hector gave a sideways nod. ‘Yeah, I guess so. How the fuck did that happen?’

‘Maybe it’s because whenever you meet a poor person, you usually just save their life and leave, you classist prick.’

‘What--?’

‘You should take a good long look at yourself.’

He knew the reaper was joking, but he also knew that there was some truth to be found there as well. They’d discussed the topic at length back in Gray Rock and come to the conclusion that he should work on achieving a better relationship with the lower classes. Indeed, that had been the purpose of his visits to homeless shelters just prior to his trip to Sair. Thinking about it now reminded Hector of all the things that still needed doing at home.

It still felt a little strange to think of Warrenhold as home. Strange in a good way, though.

He glanced over and saw Emiliana lagging behind her siblings. Hector pulled back to ask her, “Are you okay?”

She looked at him, as if surprised, and adjusted her mask. “Ah. Yes. I apologize.”

Chergoa floated up beside her. ‘Something wrong?’

“No,” said Emiliana. “It was only an odd shiver.”

‘A shiver?’ said Chergoa.

“Goose pimples. They surprised me. But I am fine.” She walked on ahead, not waiting for a response.

Hector exchanged looks with Chergoa before the reaper left to join her.

‘Hmm,’ hummed Garovel privately, who’d apparently been close enough to overhear. ‘A shiver, huh? Is it cold in here?’

‘Not really,’ said Hector. ‘Well, maybe compared to outside...’