Queen of the Fae (Dragon's Gift The Dark Fae #3) - Linsey Hall Page 0,29

respect it. “Then why did you come?”

“Is this the temple of the Vestal Virgins?”

She laughed. “It is, though I’m not sure we’re Vesta’s virgins anymore.”

I glanced at the people making out in the corner. The woman wasn’t wearing her top anymore. It draped around her hips, revealing that the bird tattoo covered her arms as well.

“Indeed not.” I looked back at the blonde woman. “Change of heart?”

“After a few thousand years of virginity and poking at a little fire for a goddess, yes.” The blonde met the eyes of the brunette, who grinned.

“Vesta was all right with this?” Tarron asked.

The brunette laughed. “But of course! She, too, was trapped within the patriarchy of ancient Rome. You don’t think this whole virginity thing was her idea, do you?”

“If it was…well, internalized misogyny is a bitch,” I said.

“Exactly!” The blonde beamed.

“If you’re not here to party, why are you here?” The brunette frowned.

“We need information,” Tarron said.

“So definitely no partying?” the blonde asked. “I just want to make sure.”

I had a feeling that partying was her euphemism for sex. Or whatever was about to happen in the corner of this courtyard.

Yeah, definitely sex.

“We could be up for a party later, maybe,” I said. If that was what these girls wanted, I wasn’t above a little sneakery to get the info I needed. And I was sure I could find some folks to come back here and party with them if necessary. “But for now, we’re seeking something deathly important.”

The blonde sulked. “The Guardians of the Eternal Flame.”

“The very same.”

“Well, come on, then.” She waved her hand for me to follow. “Maybe we can work something out.”

I shared a glance with Tarron, who nodded.

So far, this wasn’t too dangerous. Though that was probably a stupid thing to think. Who knew what these women could pull out?

We followed the Vestal…women…through the courtyard, leaving the couple behind right as they dropped to the ground. Neither the blonde nor the brunette so much as glanced their way.

I hurried up alongside them. “I’m Mordaca.”

The blonde smiled. “I’m Aurelia.”

The brunette met my gaze, but didn’t smile. She wasn’t nearly as cheerful as the blonde. “I’m Domitia.”

“Nice to meet you.”

Both women turned to look at Tarron, Domitia doing it just a little bit faster.

“I’m Tarron.” He inclined his head.

“Well, let’s take a seat and discuss why you’re here.” Aurelia led us into a large room with a high ceiling. Huge windows let in shafts of light, and torches burned fragrantly on the walls. A pool of water sparkled in the middle, surrounded by the low Roman benches that were prevalent in the paintings I’d seen.

“We’ll call for food,” Aurelia said. “You look positively famished.”

Alertness tightened my muscles. This was all going very easily.

Too easily.

I shared a glance with Tarron, and he seemed to be thinking the same thing.

We followed Aurelia and Domitia to the benches and took a seat. Tarron and I sat on a bench next to each other, while Domitia and Aurelia each reclined on their own. All around, more women and a few men drifted through the space, each of them shooting curious glances at us.

“If you’re not the Vestal Virgins, what should we call you?” I asked.

“Vestals is fine,” Aurelia said, reaching down to ring a bell.

“And you live here now, throwing house parties?” I asked.

Her eyes brightened. “Exactly! People come from far and wide to join us. And we also protect the location of the Guardians of the Eternal Flame.”

It was a handy setup, and I bet they did a damned good job. There were plenty of deadly challenges between the start of this journey and the Guardians. Why not throw in some distraction by pleasure?

A man appeared at our side. He wore a small white cloth around his waist, and that was pretty much it. A smile of pure delight crossed his face, and he bowed, presenting a tray of food.

“Thank you, Chad. Set it there.” Domitia gestured with an imperious hand toward the end of one of the benches.

Chad did as she asked, grinning all the while.

After he left, Domitia leaned toward me. “Chad is new. Traveled quite a way to get here.”

“He seems to like his new job.”

“Oh, does he ever.” Domitia winked. “Some kind of athlete from across the sea. The Americas, I believe. Heathen place. Anyway, Chad showed up, and now he…helps out.”

That was one way to put it, I supposed.

And Chad did seem genuinely happy. I hadn’t spotted any amulets on him meant to control his mind, and