A splash of water from behind made Piper spin around in the pool, and she was greeted by the sight of Selene swimming away. With a grin, she splashed the young woman back with all her strength. Her eyes widened as she sent out a wave of water crashing over her new friend like a tidal wave.

  As the water receded, Selene stood there looking stunned, her hands held out to the side. Her normally perfect hair was plastered to her forehead, and streaks of black eyeliner ran down her face. She looked like a drowned rat. Even her foundation and blush had gaps in them.

  “Um… sorry…” Piper said, twirling a wet strand of hair around her finger. “I didn’t mean to splash you that hard.

  “I got you first,” Selene said, shaking off her shock. “I guess you’re a bit stronger—”

  Her sentence was cut off as Ophelia splashed her from the side. Soon, the three of them descended into a very undignified water fight. Piper did her best to dodge sprays of water while trying to get the others.

  After a few minutes, they called a truce and returned to the wall. She knew it was probably childish to have a water fight in a public bath. But for what she was paying, she was going to enjoy herself.

  Beside her, Selene leaned down and scrubbed her cheeks. When she lifted it again, she revealed a youthful face. She even had a few zits. Without her thick makeup and perfectly styled hair, she looked like a normal teenage girl.

  “How old are you, Selene?” Piper held onto the side of the pool and allowed her feet to rise toward the surface. She was really enjoying herself here.

  “I’m 15,” Selene said, squeezing the water from her hair. “But I’ll be 16 in the fall, though. How old are you?”

  “I’m 13,” Piper replied. “But my birthday is just around the corner.”

  “Mine too,” Ophelia said. “I’ll be 13 next week.”

  “So, you’re awakening soon,” Selene said. “I can’t wait until I can go back to the Spirit Realm. My journey was probably the best experience of my life.” She grinned at Piper. “At least until I met my new group.”

  Piper felt a welling of bitterness rising in her chest as she heard from yet another person how great their time was during their awakening. Meanwhile, hers had been a brutal fight for survival against imps, shadelings, and killer trees. She was not looking forward to going back to the Infernal Realm in the near future.

  I guess I’m a little stressed about reaching level 50 soon.

  Before the darkness could take root, she focused her thoughts on all the good that had come from her class. She’d learned how to hide her true demonic self. Then she’d saved Ethel and her family from the Crimson Guard—something she never could have done with a Spirit Realm class. And she’d even managed to keep her new party alive through three difficult quests—something that was apparently unheard of here.

  But best of all, she now had two friends. At no point in her life had she ever had more than one. And that was counting the other sick kids she’d shared hospital rooms with back on Earth.

  If she had to endure a little suffering at the hands of demons, then she decided it was worth it for everything she’d received. Her life here was good. And things would only get better from here.

  “How old are the others?” she asked, her thoughts returning to her original question.

  Selene pressed her lips together. “Basil is 17. He’s one of the older wayfarer aspirants at the guild. And Althea is 16, I think.”

  “Olive would have been 16 soon,” Ophelia said in a quiet voice.

  Piper froze at the mention of her friend’s sister. Ophelia almost never brought her up. In fact, Ethel and Alfred had rarely spoken of their deceased daughter either. It seemed to be a common thing back in Alderwick.

  “Olive?” Selene asked, furrowing her brow. “Who's that?”

  “My sister.” Ophelia swirled her hand in the water. “She died of the bluepox a few years ago.”

  Selene nodded. “I’m truly sorry.”

  Before Piper could say anything, a young woman attendant reappeared at the side of the pool. She inclined her head slightly when Piper looked up. “If you would please follow me, we’ll proceed with your bathing.”

  Piper looked at the others, not sure what to expect. But she only received shrugs in response. Pulling herself out of the pool, she grabbed her purse from the side and then followed the attendant across the tile floor.

  She was led to a private room with a steaming bathtub barely large enough to hold one person. When the young woman indicated for her to climb in, she stepped over the edge into wonderfully hot water.

  Piper exhaled with pleasure and sank into the tub. A moment later, two young girls appeared wielding brushes and soap. She leaned forward as they went to work, washing her hair and then scrubbing her body until it almost felt raw.

  During the wash, she covered her horns with her hands to make sure no one touched them. Hopefully, they just thought she was trying to keep water out of her face.

  After a few minutes, the attendants stepped back and motioned for her to leave the bath. More than anything, she wanted to soak for a few minutes longer. But she felt certain that would cost extra.

  As she rose out of the water, one of the young girls wrapped a towel around her torso. Once she’d towel-dried, she was led to yet another room. In this one, they applied oil to her body, and then floral-scented perfume. Finally, they combed out her knotted hair.

  If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  Examining the bone-white comb, she asked, “How much for that?”

  The girl paused. “I’m sorry?”

  “I want to buy the comb.”

  “I’m afraid they’re not for sale.”

  “Do you know where to buy one?”

  The girl gave a furtive glance toward the attendant, who was preoccupied with Ophelia, who had entered the room.

  “Two coppers and it’s yours,” the girl whispered. “Don’t tell anyone, though!”

  “Deal,” Piper leaned down and snatched her money purse. From inside, she pulled out two copper pieces and slipped them to the girl. In exchange, the comb disappeared into her purse.

  When she emerged from the room, she felt like a new girl. It had been months since she had felt this good. She’d done her best to keep up her personal hygiene, but with little more than a basin in her room back at the inn, it had been difficult.

  “I’m so going to take a bath after every quest,” she murmured to herself.

  Piper glanced around the room, looking for guidance on what to do next. But she couldn’t see the attendant, and she assumed Ophelia and Selene were still being bathed. Unsure of where to go, she returned to the open space with the pool and took a seat on a stone bench.

  Her gaze drifted over the other ladies bathing and talking among themselves. In the far corner, there appeared to be a simple gymnasium, where some women were working out. As she watched, they lifted stone balls and moved through a range of motions. Her cheeks colored as she realized they were all naked.

  The Arissian Empire was far too comfortable with nudity for her taste. She didn’t mind bathing nude, but she would never, ever work out naked. That was something only crazy people did.

  Ophelia was the first to arrive, and she plopped down on the bench before crossing her arms. “They made me smell like a girl,” she complained. “I don’t want to smell like flowers.”

  “You are a girl,” Piper pointed out with a smile.

  “But you know I don’t like all that girly stuff.”

  Piper leaned over and sniffed her friend. A delicate floral fragrance filled her nostrils. “I think you smell wonderful.”

  “Really?”

  Piper nodded.

  “Alright, maybe it’s not that bad then.”

  Selene’s arrival interrupted any further conversation. Once again, the young woman looked immaculate. Her hair had been restored, and her features looked as flawless as a porcelain doll. Apparently, there had been an option to get makeup done as well.

  Someday, Piper would have to learn how to use makeup. She had hoped that Ethel would teach her, but maybe Selene would take pity and show her the basics. She wouldn’t mind looking half as good as her new friend.

  “What do we do now?” Piper asked. There was no sign of their clothing, and they couldn’t exactly leave in towels.

  Selene cocked her head to the side. “We could always have some wine….”

  “I suppose that wouldn’t be too bad.” So far, Piper had avoided the alcoholic drinks here as much as she could, preferring water. But it shouldn’t hurt to drink just this once.

  Selene flagged down an attendant, and after handing over a copper piece, the woman returned with a clay jug and three wooden cups. She poured a deep burgundy liquid into the cups and then handed them out.

  Piper took her drink and swirled the liquid around. Then she took a tentative sip, the liquid burning her throat. This drink was far stronger than the wine Alfred made back on the farm.

  “This is good,” Ophelia exclaimed. “Why don’t we drink this all the time?”

  “Because you’re 12,” Piper replied, taking another sip. She continued drinking the wine, feeling a wonderful warmth spread through her body. She really needed to drink wine more often.

  Before she could pour another glass, the attendant appeared carrying their clothes. With a sigh, she placed the cup aside on the bench. Then she stood up and took her dress, cloak, and boots.

  Inspecting them, she was shocked to see they looked good as new. The tears had been mended, and every trace of the disgusting undead ichor had been removed. There had to be a skill or spell involved.

  Piper dressed quickly, pulling the dress over her head before wrapping the cloak around her shoulders. She then slipped on her boots and pulled them up to her knees. Holding one arm out, she showed off to the others.

  “You look great!” Ophelia said before descending into giggles. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes looked glassy. “Like one of those rich ladies sashaying around town.”

  “Very classy…” Selene said, her words slurring slightly. She stumbled and nearly fell over as she tried to mimic Piper's stance. Then, like Ophelia, she had a fit of the giggles.

  Without knowing why, Piper began to laugh while the attendant shook her head at them. She laughed until her sides ached. Then, stumbling forward, she headed toward the exit.

  As she fought to walk in a straight line, she realized that she might have had a little too much to drink. Next time, she should probably only have half a cup.

  But now that she’d drunk the wine, she really wanted to get something to eat. Her appetite was like a ferocious saber-toothed tiger, demanding to be fed. She wanted a big dinner followed by all the sweets she could eat.

  “Let’s go grab some food.” She smacked her lips, her tongue feeling thick. “It’s on me.”

  “Sounds great,” Selene said, stumbling forward. “I want fried potatoes. Lots and lots of fried potatoes.”

  Ophelia nodded with big eyes. “Me too.”

  Piper led the way to the exit, giggling as she went. She loved the feeling of being totally relaxed. When she arrived in the front room, she waved at the attendant before stumbling to the door.

  Thrusting the door open, she stepped onto the dark street beyond. During their time inside, the sun had set, leaving the streets in a smothering gloom. A few of the windows glowed with light from inside.

  After a few steps, she stumbled to a stop at the sight of armed women forming a circle around the exit. These weren’t the soldiers they’d encountered before. They wore red robes, with armor glinting beneath the fabric.

  Piper’s chest tightened as they advanced at the sight of her, leveling their weapons. They were armed with a mixture of swords, spears, whips, and even what looked like a metal fan.

  Her friends lurched to a stop beside her as she held out her hand.

  “What’s… going on?” Selene said, blinking at the robed women.

  “Yeah,” Ophelia slurred. “What’s the big idea?”

  “The Dawnward Host has issued an order that the three of you be detained for questioning,” a woman with dark curly hair hollered. “Surrender or face the consequences.”

  The sense of relaxation was immediately replaced by one of dread as her heart hammered in her chest. She briefly considered recalling her bow and quiver, but that would just confirm their suspicions.

  Piper stepped forward, wobbling slightly, and making the women in red robes flinch back. “What… do you want with us?”

  “My name is Sister Imilce. Under suspicion of heresy, you are to be transported to the Dawn Citadel. Once there, you will be questioned by a member of the Dawnward Host.”

  Piper ran through her options in her mind, cursing herself for choosing this moment to get drunk. Her thoughts felt slow and hazy. And that was the last thing she needed right now.

  She could always use her illusions to help them escape. But that would probably stir up the city like a hornet’s nest. Alternatively, she could stand and fight. Though she suspected the majority of the nuns vastly out leveled her.

  Chewing on her lower lip, she finally nodded. “We haven’t done anything wrong. So, we surrender.”

  “Wise choice,” Imilce said. The woman gestured at Piper. “Chain them and bring them with me.”

  Piper exhaled, glancing at the others. Selene’s eyes were wide like those of a panicked deer, which probably meant they were in trouble. Meanwhile, Ophelia merely looked bewildered. But with her low stats, the wine had hit her harder than the rest of them.

  Holding out her hands, Piper allowed a red-robed woman to slip manacles around her wrists. Then they were led down the street toward the city. She could only hope her illusion held. Otherwise, she’d have to make some tough decisions.