closer, an electric buzzing danced across my skin, filling me with happiness.
This was the home of my ancestors, the place where dad was raised, his bloodline of the strongest, purest descent.
I could feel the power and strength surging in my veins that came from my presence here. Even though I’d never been here in my life, my body knew that I belonged here.
We landed on the sand a few miles outside of a city that reminded me of the images I’d seen online of Greece. Glowing, whitewashed stone buildings greeted us like a city of lanterns. They were haphazardly piled up on top of each other and I couldn’t help but wonder if magic was helping them stay upright. I could see early morning travelers moving in and out of the city walls, with what looked like large caravans of elephants, yaks and camels, each carrying a load of goods. Each animal had an assortment of grotesquely beautiful horns protruding from their faces, and thick armored skin in varying shades of red, black and grey.
Hands on my hips, Nix moved me to face him, his eyes roaming over me. His dark scrutiny made me shiver. His hand lifted, fingers tracing over my skin, and the tingle of his glamour raced across my body.
He was making sure I would fit in. His voice was soft and husky as his finger followed the fine edge of my wing. “I miss your blue wings.”
I felt a pang of sadness. “Me, too.”
He didn’t respond but only gave me a nod, then, taking my hand, we disappeared in a poof of smoke.
28
Blayde
We landed outside of a nondescript building, mashed in with all the others. I clasped Nix so I didn’t fall over, still feeling disoriented. Scowling at him, I whispered, “Next time, warn a fae, will ya?”
His lips brushed over the side of my forehead, a small smile on his lips. “I love it when you look helpless like this.”
I was tempted to show him how so not helpless I was by punching him in the face but instead I moved back, letting him go to get my footing. He scowled, then grabbed the loop to my jeans, pulling me back into his arms. “Stay here, little fae.”
I opened my mouth to respond but right then Rhys appeared, smoking both Maverick and Tuddle to the doorway.
Demons scurried around us, going about their business and not paying us any mind. I could tell that the demons in this area were higher born than the nomads, their clothing looked silky and expensive. Colorful makeup dotted the women’s faces but it couldn’t hide their wide eyes, filled with fear, or perhaps nervous, the way they jumped at loud noises. It made me suddenly feel nervous, like someone was going to jump out, their finger raised at us and scream, “Aha! I found the demonfae traitor.”
Feeling the change in my demeanor, Nix squeezed his hand on my waist, his lips brushing my hair. “I got you, sweetheart.” Then he reached forward, opening the door to reveal a mousy looking demon standing just inside the doorway.
“You made it.”
“Did you expect otherwise?” Nix sniffed.
“Of course—of course not.” Her hair was pulled back in a bun but she had long, brown bangs that halfway covered dark brown eyes. She clasped an iPad to her chest protectively and she took us in for a moment, her eyes brushing over me momentarily before she stepped back. “Come in. Hurry.”
After Rhys and Maverick entered, Nix nudged me forward, then strode in behind me.
I realized that the inside of the building was a lot bigger than it looked on the outside. We walked into a large receiving room, with high stone ceilings and colorful and intricately woven rugs that lined the floors and even decorated the walls. Large windows let in bright light, as well as a light, salty-smelling breeze. The sound of softly padded footsteps, followed by other, heavier, footsteps sounded in my ears and I turned around, ready to meet my fate.
A woman with glistening cinnamon-brown skin, long inky-black hair, and two short, grey horns protruding from the top of her forehead, walked towards us. She was wearing a deep purple crop top, showing the fine lines of her stomach, and matching, silken pants. It reminded me of Jasmine in the old Aladdin movie. Her footsteps were light, almost as if she was walking on air, and her hips fluidly twisted her silky pants with each step like a sexy, sultry enchantress. She was