Brilliance (Circle of the Stars #4) - Sadie Jacks Page 0,47

was talking about. She had just stopped me from destroying the city.

Stretch, take Giulio, Garreth, and Drace with you, please, Thane called over the mate bond.

I can do that. Have fun practicing. I looked at the three people Thane had mentioned, gestured them over to follow me. Gathered up the three visiting godset from the other world.

“Aether mentioned we’re needed in the hallway.” I shrugged, letting them know I didn’t have any more information than that.

We all walked to the front door, made our way out into the hallway. There was nothing there. Other than what was supposed to be. Nor were there any people waiting for us.

I turned around, looked at the group. “Maybe she was wr—”

The elevator dinged. Jeremiah stood at the front of the car, a group of people behind him. He blinked. “Goddess, what perfect timing.”

I nodded. “I’ll say. Although it wasn’t me. Aether told me I should come out here.”

His brow furrowed. “Aether?”

I nodded. “Chaos’ partner?”

A woman with long white hair stepped forward. “Chaos and Aether are here?” She practically bounced up and down, clapped her hands.

I nodded. “And you are?”

Jeremiah sucked in a noisy breath. As did the three guys from the other world.

The woman calmed, a huge smile on her face. “It’s truly so lovely to meet someone who isn’t in awe of me.” She held out her hand, fingers angled toward the floor. Her wrist was the slightest bit higher than her fingers. “I’m Arasne, Queen of Faery.”

I ignored her hand. Waved mine in the traditional greeting of left to right. “Greetings and salutations, Ara—” I cleared my throat. “How do you say your name again?”

Her laughter sounded like bells. “Ah-rass-knee.”

I nodded. “Greetings and salutations, Arasne. I’m Hollyn Ladon.”

“Star Mistress in her own right, bonded mate to Clan Ladon,” Garreth finished behind me.

My cheeks heated. “What he said. Sorry. I just got used to using their name. Let alone the mouthful I’m now obviously expected to use in other situations no one’s told me about.”

Her smile was beautiful. “That’s why you have a council, am I right? Now that we’ve introduced ourselves, can we go say hi to Chaos and Aether?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know why not. How do you know them?” I turned back to the front door.

Garreth chuckled. “If you’re Ari’s granddaughter, consider the whole of Faery to be their descendants.”

Huh. Never would have expected that. “Have you ever met them before?”

Arasne shook her head. “Never. So this will be a treat.”

I stopped at the door. Turned to look at everyone. “The people beyond this door are not to be harmed. Do I make myself clear?” I looked at each person in turn. “If you reach out with anything but greeting or welcome, you answer to me.”

Arasne straightened. “And if there’s anything left of them, to me.” She glared at the gathering.

Everyone nodded. First to me, then to Arasne.

“Good.” I reached out for the door handle. “Oh. They’re practicing magic, so…um…watch out.” I pushed the door open.

“DUCK!” Thane shouted from inside.

Chapter 22 – Thane

“DUCK!”

Fear and a sickly kind of horror sank into my bones as my bolt of magic headed straight for Stretch’s face. As if in slow motion, I saw her lavender eyes widen as her face lost all color. Shit. Shit. Shit.

My hand still outstretched, my intention changed in a heartbeat. I fed it down the line of myself to the power that had just left my hand. I had to pray that I would be strong enough. Fast enough.

Seconds before it smashed into Stretch, my bolt of fire evaporated into a trail of stream. It dashed into her face like I’d spritzed her with water. All the starch went out of my bones as my knees threatened to buckle.

“Hollyn!” Ari yelled as she darted over. “You could have been hurt. What are you doing back in here?” She pulled everyone in, slammed the door shut.

Stretch blinked, wiped at her face. “Queen Arasnee wanted to meet Chaos and Aether.”

“Who the hell wants to be the queen of ass and knee?” Tag asked as he struggled to get his own fire bolt to form.

The room went quiet. Deathly quiet.

I slapped Tag over the head. Pointed with a jut of my chin at the group at the door. “I’m thinking she’s an actual queen and you just insulted her, numbnuts.”

Tag’s shoulders hunched as he turned. “Fuck. I’m so sorry.”

The woman with the long white hair, purple eyes, and multicolored dress narrowed her eyes at my stupid idiot brother. After what