Revealed in Fire (Demon Days & Vampire Nights)

Disgusting disease of a half-human, it thought, and I wondered just how much they knew about me. They didn’t seem to realize I could levitate out of here, and it was now evident they didn’t know I could read thoughts. Or maybe that particular thought just got away from it. My ability to get under people’s skin was one of my superpowers, as Cahal had found out the hard way.

“Well, anyway, let’s get this circus started, shall we?” I pulled my long blond locks into a tight ponytail on top of my head.

“We’re obviously going.” Callie stepped forward, zipping up the sweatshirt of her bright orange track suit. She turned to grab her satchel, and I noticed “Werking it” written across her backside. Where did she find those things?

“No, that won’t be necessary,” the elf said, taking a step back, indicating it was time to go.

“Don’t be as ridiculous as the clothing you’re wearing.” Callie huffed and filed in with the rest of our crew, Dizzy joining her with a pleasant smile.

“You are not on the list,” the elf said loftily.

“Yeah.” I turned to Callie and Dizzy. “It’s a VIP party that you will want to miss, I’m sure of it. Why don’t you stay here?”

“Reagan Somerset—” Callie started.

Dizzy put out his hand to stop her, and I was thankful he had sense. Until I realized he didn’t.

“Let me, hon.” He turned his pleasant smile on me. “We didn’t come all this way to sit out in the final hour. We’re going with you even if we have to fight our way there, so the best thing you can do is just accept it.”

“I am only instructed—”

“It’s fine, Bobo,” I said, sighing and motioning him on. I didn’t honestly think they would back down—they’d forced their way into this journey in the first place, and clearly didn’t care whether they were welcome—but I had hoped. I didn’t foresee this next phase going well. “They’re with me, and I won’t be going anywhere without them. You’re welcome to try to force me, of course.” I flashed him a grin. “But you’ll die first.”

“Yes, she does make an excellent point. Please.” Romulus put out his hand to get the elf moving. “The king and queen are waiting, are they not?”

“I—” The elf cut itself off, clearly at a loss, and just turned and walked through the door, his guards stepping back and to the sides so we’d pass through the middle of a guard twenty deep.

Halvor stepped up next to me.

“No.” Penny pushed him away. “For the love of lollipops sucked on by bucktoothed men, be with your own people for this one. The triangle of power needs to stick together or we’re all going to die.”

Twenty-One

I looked at Penny, surprised Halvor had relented, falling into the middle of the formation that included both Arcanas, the secret weapon that was anything but secret in this castle.

“What’s this now?” I asked her with a grin.

“Go, go.” Callie shooed us onward as the gap lengthened between us and the fae. Only the Arcanas’ assistants and a couple of others were going with them. Apparently it was understood that Arcanas couldn’t do things for themselves, probably like elf royalty. “We don’t want to get separated. That’s when they’ll attack.”

“We should’ve called a demon or two, hon,” Dizzy said softly, eyeing the elves lining the sides of the hall. “Just to create a little pandemonium, you know? This is too smooth sailing for these elves.”

“Shh, shh.” Callie batted at him. “Don’t give them any ideas.”

“I doubt these are new ideas,” I murmured, reaching the end of the hall and hitting the stairs. Down we went to the first floor, and from there to the back of the castle, decked out in the same style as that in the front, with red carpet lining the halls, large crystal chandeliers, and finely wrought wood and metal. “How you doin’, Emery? Hanging in?”

The elves who’d been waiting to the sides now filed in behind us in two neat columns. There were elves ahead, elves behind, and walls to our sides. Whenever we passed a doorway, someone was standing there, blocking it off. They wanted us contained.

They didn’t seem overly worried about the windows, though. Did they not think I’d break through one and jump through at a moment’s notice? Because it wouldn’t be the first time.

Thanks for the easy exit, fuckers, I thought, wishing I could send the thought to the mages.

The space opened up into a huge sitting room decked out with conversation areas, couches arranged around tables holding bowls of fruit, little pastry-like foods, and beverages. At the back of the room, two enormous double doors stood closed, nestled in an archway that reminded me of the castle’s entrance.

I felt magic balloon around us, the spell giving us some privacy from eavesdroppers.