"It smells like the sea and leather and spice."

Rook's eyes popped open the moment the hissing voice echoed through her dream. She nearly jumped from her skin when she realized Lucanis's face was close enough for their noses to touch. The malevolent grin he wore reminded Rook of an old cat that used to wander the halls of the abandoned Grey Warden fortress. She would never understand why Isabela kept feeding the damned thing. Not only was it one of the ugliest and mangiest cats in creation, but it always seemed to be up to no good.

"Hello, Spite," Rook said in the calmest voice she could muster. She was Rivaini and accustomed to the idea of the Fade and spirits, but demons were a whole other subject.

The demon sat back but continued to straddle his captive. "Rook, I want to talk to you."

"About what now?"

"About Zara. Why aren't you looking harder? I need to see her head on a spike after I peel the flesh from her bones and bleed her dry."

Rook winced before pulling her top half further up the bed to keep Lucanis's balls from pressing against her crotch anymore. Spite's gaze averted to her breasts as the sheet pulled away from them. He almost looked disappointed when he realized she was wearing her breastband. She learned after the first time he visited her room to never sleep nude. The demon wasn't perverted about it. He seemed more curious than anything, but it made Rook uncomfortable enough to take precautions.

"Well, that was very…graphic."

"Just wait," said Spite in an excited voice. "It will be glorious and so satisfying." He pointed at Rook. "You should be there to watch. I'll even carve your name in her back if you ask nicely."

Rook waved her hand. "No, that's alright. I appreciate the gesture but it's not necessary. As far as Zara is concerned, we have people looking into finding her. Not to mention that we also have a blight and two elven gods to contend with. I can't put all of my focus on one Tevinter magister right now., no matter how evil and wretched she is."

"Not good enough," Spite hissed as he jumped to his feet and began pacing. "And who do you have looking into it? Lucanis's idiot cousin? He couldn't find his cock with both hands down the front of his trousers."

Rook bit her lips together. The last thing she wanted was to encourage the demon. He would have gone on all night like the last time he visited. Rook spent the entire next day half asleep and nearly blew herself up with an ancient elven artifact.

"I realize that," she finally said when she managed to regain her composure. "To be honest, I don't really trust Illario either. He's just been a little too helpful when it comes to searching for answers. He always volunteers but never comes up with anything useful. Not to mention the fact that Lucanis says he has never been like that in the past."

"Yesss," Spite hissed. "Lucanis doesn't trust him either. He just gives his cousin the benefit of the doubt because he's family."

Rook pulled her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. "It must be difficult for him. If I thought Isabela was going to turn on me, I'd have a difficult time fully believing it. And she's known for betraying people. Lucanis must be devastated by the idea of Illario's possible betrayal."

Spite waved a dismissive hand. "He'll get over it. The important thing is Zara."

Rook gave a derisive snort. She should have known not to try to gain sympathy from a demon. Spite had one goal and didn't care much about anything beyond that. She supposed that was just the way spirits of the Fade operated. At least that's what the Tevinter captain told her when he taught her to use her magic. He was a decent sort but also a very harsh taskmaster. The other cabin attendant on the slaver ship had no magic, so he had more free time than Rook. It often made her wish she didn't have it either.

"Spite, don't you think it's time to let Lucanis rest for a change. He doesn't get enough sleep as it is. Humans need to sleep, and they need their bodies to relax and be at rest while they do it. Otherwise, they could die. And what If Lucanis dies? Then you'll never get your revenge on Zara."

The demon gave a casual shrug. "It might be better if he does. Then I would have complete control to go after Zara without you holding me back."

Rook crossed her arms and glared at the demon. "We already discussed this. You made a deal with him to keep him alive so he can help you get your revenge. And he made a deal with me to help stop the gods in exchange for my help with Zara. I don't see where you have that choice here. A Crow never abandons a contract, and a demon never reneges on a deal."

"Stupid rules." He stomped his foot. "Fine! I'll let him sleep…a little."

Rook gave him a tilt of her head. "Thank you. Your cooperation is appreciated."

Instead of arguing, the demon grumbled under his breath as he exited the room. Rook waited to shut and lock her door until the sound of his complaints finally faded upon reaching the center chamber. After the lock was in place, she ambled back to her bed and flopped onto her back with a bounce. Her mattress was unlike any she had ever slept on before. Bellara said it contained little springs and cotton instead of feathers or straw. Rook didn't understand how Solas found such a thing, but she was glad he did.

As she tried to find sleep again, Rook wondered for the two dozenth time if she should tell Lucanis about Spite's late night escapades. The assassin swore he never slept, but he did more often than he realized. Rook never said anything because the man needed his rest. No one could survive under the parameters he set for himself. If he tried harder to stay awake, he would die. A shiver crawled up Rook's back at the notion. She wasn't sure what she would do if she lost him.

It wasn't as if Lucanis shared her growing affection. He didn't seem interested in her at all, choosing instead to spend most of his time alone or with their other companions. Rook was the only one he never had conversations with outside of discussing coffee, favors for the Crows, or Zara. What was it about her that he found so distasteful? She had chosen to go to his city during the dragon attacks instead of Minrathous, and she did everything the Crows asked of her. How much more did she have to do to make him see her as at least a friend?

She shut her eyes and rested her forearm over her face. Maybe it was time to give up. Some people just didn't mesh well together, but she couldn't understand why. What could she have done to make him dislike her so much?

'No use beating around the bush anymore. I just need to ask him. I don't have to say anything beyond asking about his distaste from me in general. That way, things won't be too awkward afterward, right?'

She flipped onto her side and tucked her pillow under her cheek. She knew that honest and open communication with him was the best way to handle things, but she wasn't sure she wanted to know his answer.

Hugging her pillow tighter, she allowed her mind to drift to other things. Tomorrow, she was headed home to recruit a dragon hunter. It had been nearly a year since she last saw Rivain. She only hoped things had cooled down enough to take the price off her head.