“That’s one hell of a power move,” Mackenzie muttered as she got to her feet and closed ranks with Hartt, her arm brushing his. “I don’t think we can top that.”
“I’m not sure anyone can top it,” Hartt whispered out of the corner of his mouth, not taking his eyes off the silent battle playing out between Vail and Frey.
The First and Second Realms were at peace with the elf kingdom, but while Vail had been under the control of a witch, he had frequently tried to cut his way through the demon realms to reach the elf one and his brother, intent on killing him. Thousands of demons had fallen to Vail’s claws, and Frey looked as if he wanted Vail’s blood as payment for all he had spilled.
“He is our ally now, Frey,” Isla murmured gently as she came to the demon brute. “Remember that. You lectured me once about treading the same dark path of vengeance as your thoughts are. I offer you the same counsel now. An enemy can become a powerful ally, and we should not make an enemy of them simply because of our history with them.”
Hartt shifted a few steps towards Vail, an urge to protect the male gripping him. Vail might have fallen from grace, but he was still Hartt’s prince, still an heir to the throne of the elves. He wouldn’t allow this demon king to lay a finger on him.
“I really suggest you listen to the phantom.” Rosalind’s smile was sweet, but her blue eyes held a darkness that the demon would be wise to fear. “Unless you want to be dropped into, say, a volcano… or better… the Third Realm. See, I’ve been to your realm. I met your former king. Or should I say queen?”
She glanced at Isla.
“Your sister was noble. She didn’t attack those she viewed as allies, or those who were in league with them.” Rosalind’s eyes narrowed into bright blue slits as twisting ribbons of light curled around her arms. “King Thorne of the Third Realm was an ally… is an ally of your kingdom. We are an ally of King Thorne’s. Angering us would turn him into your enemy. Not only that, but it would threaten the peace you have with the elves. Oh, and let’s not forget that I’m good friends with the mate of the Second King. That would be three realms teaming up against yours. Think really bloody hard now… You really want that?”
“Frey.” Isla placed her hand on his thickly-muscled forearm.
The big demon sighed, his broad bare chest heaving with it, and stilled. His blue eyes widened as he looked beyond Rosalind and Vail, his horns flaring as they settled on the person leaning in the shadows there, casually inspecting her black nails.
“I want in on that fight, Rosalind. I still owe his kind and I don’t care which realm suffers my wrath. After all… these demons are all the same.” The demoness uncrossed her legs and pushed away from the stone wall, strode forwards with a sultry kick to her black-leather-clad hips.
Hartt wanted to think her words were all for show, that she was just trying to make an impression, but something in her eyes had him feeling she had a problem with Frey’s kind and it wasn’t the usual hatred that existed between the two demon species.
As she stepped into the sphere of light from the fire, Frey tensed even further.
She locked gazes with Isla.
“The name’s Jasynder, but you can call me Syn.” She shifted her amber gaze to Frey, turning a cold look on him. “The tall, dark and disturbingly delicious slice of demon there doesn’t get to say my name.”
Mackenzie sighed and issued her friend a look that had her on the verge of huffing.
As it was, the demoness rolled her eyes.
“Fine. He can call me Jasynder, but only if it’s really necessary… like… say…” She deepened her voice, imitating Frey’s. “Thank you, Jasynder, for saving my sorry, worthless life.”
Frey scoffed at that. “I will have no such need, and do not expect me to save you when you will undoubtedly require it.”
Syn laughed, threw her head back and really went for it, earning a black look from the demon, and a worried one from Mackenzie.
“I will not! I’m a grade-A, top-notch assassin.” She dropped her chin and swept her hands down herself, a sultry pout to her lips as she motioned to her body. “I have skills—and curves—you can only dream