by G. K. DeRosa
“So what exactly happens at this little fiesta?” The only thing I’d enjoyed about my time in the Underworld were the clubs. The demons sure knew how to party.
Hayden tossed a handful of some brightly colored kid’s cereal into his mouth and grinned. “The official portion of events takes place in the rec room. They decorate it, bring in an old CD player and supply some food and beverages.”
“But the real party happens later,” Flix interrupted. “It’s like an all-night happy hour. The inmates are free to roam the penitentiary grounds, including the boneyard, till morning.”
“Which means you, Azara,” said Hayden, pointing his plastic spoon, “will likely be locked up in your cell for the night with a certain broody dragon.”
“No!” Flix and I grumbled in unison.
After everything that had happened lately, a night to escape was exactly what I needed. Our little jaunt into the Underworld had proven useless; Thax was nowhere to be found. I’d tried numerous times to portal back into his underground fortress in the Nether Lands with no luck. Talon, Logan and his Guardian Gargoyle team were on the hunt, but without the official help of the SIA tracking my cousin was proving difficult. Logan wanted to enlist my grandfather, Lucifer’s help, but he too was MIA.
“Don’t shoot the messenger.” Hayden’s broad shoulders lifted, grazing his soft, bouncy curls. “Maybe I’m wrong, but feel free to ask Talon yourself. He wouldn’t be caught dead there, so that doesn’t bode well for you.”
“He’s never going to let you go,” Flix muttered in my ear.
“Maybe we can find a way around that.” I lifted my gaze to the wolf watching me from across the table. “Hey Vander, want to take me to this moon fest?”
He crossed his arms over his chest and stretched out, unfolding his long legs under the table. “Moon and fest just happen to be two of my favorite words.”
“Perfect.” I grinned at my pixie friend.
Vander waggled a finger at me. “I said they were my favorite words; I didn’t agree to take you. Hayden’s right. There’s no way T will go for it, and he’s been ten times grumpier lately. I don’t really feel like getting my furry ass scorched.”
He was right. Just when I thought I’d been making progress with the surly dragon, our relationship had taken an unexplained step back.
“Come on…” I shot him my best puppy dog eyes.
“Only if you can convince Talon. I’d be happy to escort you.”
Flix made kissy noises at my ear, a beaming smile curling his pink lips. “You got this, girl.” He stood and motioned for me to follow. “Don’t worry, boys, set-up will be fully guarded by the new gargoyle C.O.s and it was already okayed by the warden.”
“We don’t answer to Logan,” said Hayden. “We answer to T—"
Vander shot up and waved a nonchalant hand at the angel. “I’ll go with them, Hayden. Tell T she’s in good hands.”
Hayden’s lips pressed into a tight line, but he nodded anyway. “Make sure she’s back before happy hour.”
“Will do, boss.”
After an hour, the bleak rec room had been transformed into a cheesy nightclub with a hodge-podge assortment of decorations complete with a sparkling seventies disco ball. Flix scanned the room, his deep green eyes sparkling in delight.
“It looks awesome,” Valeria squealed, her translucent wings fluttering behind her back.
Rainbow track lighting illuminated the walls, bouncing off the glittering disco ball hung in the center. An old boombox sat atop a table at the far corner with a collection of old CDs beside it. Streamers hung from the ceiling and black balloons floated overhead. It was too bad we couldn’t use magic. This whole place would’ve been bedazzled and shimmering in faerie dust in minutes. Even I could’ve conjured something up with my limited magical skills.
Valeria ticked her head at Vander who sat on the floor, leaning against the far wall. “Do you think Talon will let you come with the wolf tomorrow?”
“Probably not, but I’ll make it happen one way or another.”
“You do remember that the dragon is like obsessed with you, right?”
Heat flushed my insides, as it often did at the mention of Talon. Like every inch of my body remembered him even though my brain didn’t. I shrugged. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Yeah, you used to deny it back then too,” Flix interjected.
I’d been wanting to pump my pixie bestie for more info on Talon, but for some unexplained reason it felt wrong. Somehow, I knew I needed to abide by his wishes and give him the time he requested.
“So I never told you what the deal with us was?”
They both shook their heads. “Despite the begging,” Valeria added with a coy smile. “He is all kinds of dragon delicious, and we were desperate for the details.”
So was I. How long could I wait for him to come around?
“Psst.” Flix dipped his gaze to the lower pocket of his jumpsuit. A small glass container filled with a purplish liquid stuck out the side. “I’ve got a big stash of homemade Fae wine in my cell. If your dragon bodyguard does let you out, come by early for a few drinks. I’ll bring some to the party too. It’ll make the festivities ten times more festive.” He winked.
I bet it would. And the idea of getting lost in a bottle of the fabled wine sounded perfect right now. “I’ll be there.”
Once every last decoration was hung, Vander and I walked back to block one. I’d even skipped training in preparation for the big event tomorrow. Now I just had to convince Talon to let me go.
We turned the corner and met a wall of black jumpsuits. Vander’s arm slapped over my chest, pushing me behind him. A growl snaked up his throat and echoed across the corridor.
“Relax, wolf.” A small man in yellow parted the sea of black and marched straight up to Vander. “I’m here to deliver a warning.” He ticked his big head at me. “Delacroix overheard some information about your girl.”
“What?” he snarled.
“He’ll hand it over for a price.”
“What does he want now, Dembrat?”
The name clicked in my head, and I scanned the ugly elf. There was something familiar about him.
“The full support of the Triad.”
“For what?” I asked.
“In whatever Delacroix may need. In exchange for intel on the dark lord’s hunt for his missing cousin.”
A carte blanche deal was never a good idea in my opinion. It left way too many openings.
“Does Thax know where she is?” Vander’s hold on me tightened.
“Agree to the deal, and I’ll tell you.”
“Don’t do it,” I hissed. I may not have remembered much about Delacroix, but the hair on the back of my neck was bristling. Making a deal with the hellus demon was a bad idea.
Vander turned to me with a reassuring smile. “Talon would do it, I know he would. He’d do anything to keep you safe and so will I.”
I shook my head, eyeing the elf. What would this deal really cost us?
“Fine.” Vander nodded to Dembrat. “You tell Delacroix he has a deal. Now tell us what you know.”
“Thax is watching you. He’s got guys on the inside now, ever since he and Delacroix parted ways.” The elf glanced up and shot me a toothless grin. “She won’t be safe in here for long. It’s only a matter of time till his men find an opening.”
A massive rock sank to the pit of my stomach. I’d never escape my cousin. Talon had been right, going after him was the only option. I refused to live the rest of my life looking over my shoulder. Whatever Remy saw in the oracle while I was in the castle must have changed. I was obviously a threat again.
He doesn’t know the half of it. My she-demon snarled in my mind.
Vander’s hand closed around mine, and he tugged me forward. “Come on. Let’s get you back to your cell. T is not going to like this.”
Chapter Seventeen
“You can’t seriously think I’d let you anywhere near
that party after Delacroix’s warning?” Talon stomped across our cell, eating up the short distance with his long, angry strides. “I said no yesterday, and my answer hasn’t changed today.”
Narrowing my eyes, I glared up at the exasperating man. “Dembrat clearly said Thax has been watching me, as in past tense. Meaning this has been going on since I returned to Darkblood. What’s the difference now? He could have just as easily had one of his men slip a shank into my gut yesterday in the mess hall or while I was in the shower last night. You’re overreacting.”
He stopped his manic pacing and closed the distance between us, anger rolling off his forbidding form in waves. He loomed over me, his broad shoulders blocking out the light overhead. I met his fiery glare with one of my own, refusing to be intimidated. “I will not jeopardize your safety so that you can have a night ‘out’ to get wasted and rub up on horny inmates.”
“Come on, T, take it easy.” Vander scooted between us and placed his hand on his buddy’s shoulder.
Talon spun his blazing irises to his brother. “And you? I didn’t expect you to fall into her trap so easily. She bats her long lashes at you and you just cave?”
Vander’s lips twisted into a snarl. “I didn’t fall into anything. I offered to watch over her so she could have a little break. You don’t know what it’s like for her.”
Raging silver orbs darted from his friend to me and back, and a chill skirted up my spine. Talon towered over Vander, his hulking form dwarfing the large wolf. “I don’t know? Don’t pretend you’re the expert on all things Azara just because you’ve been training her. It’s an obsession that’s all. All those years you spent skulking in the shadows, but you’ll never know her, not truly. Not the way I did—” His jaw snapped, the crack of his teeth echoing in the small space.
My eyes widened, matching the surprise in Vander’s expression.
Talon huffed out a frustrated breath and whirled on his heel to face the wall. His fingers were balled into tight fists, clenching and unclenching with the rapid rise and fall of his chest.
“What the hell, T?” Vander growled.
He swiveled back to face both of us, anger staining his cheeks crimson. “Do what you want. Both of you.” His wings snapped out and he flew out of our enclosure, the glass door barely opening in time.
When he was gone, a thick silence settled over us. I slumped down on my bed and loosed a long breath. “What the hades was that about?”
“My brother convincing himself he’s the only one that can keep you safe.”
“I meant the ‘you being obsessed with me’ part.” I shot him a playful wink.
He grunted and slid onto the mattress beside me. “I was hoping your memories would kick in, and I wouldn’t have to relive that colorful bit of history.”
“So he was telling the truth?”
“I may have developed some inappropriate feelings for you while on duty.”
I glanced up to meet twinkling hazel irises. “And you told me about it after we met?”
He nodded.
I’d sensed some sort of connection with the wolf since I’d returned but was it romantic? “How did I react?”
“Well, you and Talon were—” He shook his head, cutting himself off. “It’s his story, Azara, he’s gotta be the one to tell it.”
“I’m tired of Talon being the ultimate say in everything,” I growled. “There’s a whole chunk of my life missing, and I don’t understand why I have to wait for the great Talon to decide when to shed some light on it.” I hopped off the bed and stomped to the small sink to grab my towel. “I’m taking a shower and then you’re taking me to the moon fest tonight. I don’t care what that controlling dragon says. I can take care of myself.”
“Azara, I don’t know if this is the right way to get back at him.”
I popped my hands on my hips and shot him a narrowed glare. “Can you take on some magicless inmates?”
He pulled his shoulders back and puffed out his chest. “Of course I can.”
“Then it shouldn’t be a problem.” I threw my towel over my shoulder and marched out.
Flix passed me the small bottle filled with a deep purple liquid, and my mouth filled with saliva. I brought it to my lips and gulped down the sweet wine—with a kick. The burn of alcohol left a scorching path down my throat once the initial sugary bubbles had vanished.
“Wooo!” I whooped as I passed the bootleg beverage to Vander.
He, Valeria, Flix and I sat in a huddle between the dusty boxes in the pixie’s secret office pre-partying before the main event. I had no idea what was in the Fae wine, but my toes were already tingling. I leaned against the musty cardboard, a giggle on the tip of my drunk tongue. “This was a great idea, Flix.”
“Told ya.” He winked and grabbed the bottle back from my wolf bodyguard. Glancing up at the clock on the wall, he tried to stand but toppled onto Valeria, setting off a wave of giggles from the cute pixie. “It’s definitely time to get to the party.” He pulled out four small flasks and filled them with the remaining wine.
“I don’t know,” said Vander, winding his arm around my shoulder. “I’m having a pretty good time right here.”
His wolfy smell of earth and pinecones filled my nostrils. Yum, tasty. My she-demon swirled to life, the alcohol prying her from the depths of my insides. I popped up and offered Flix a hand. “I’m ready to experience this moon fest. Let’s do this.”
After Flix handed each of us a wooden flask, we followed him to the door. Vander trailed behind me, his hand on the small of my back, guiding me behind the pair of pixies. The moment we stepped out into the hallway, music and excited chatter filtered up the stairs. My heartrate accelerated.
Flix pouted, sticking out his lower lip. “Looks like they’ve started without us.”
“How rude.” Valeria grabbed his hand and yanked him down the stairwell.
I hurried behind them as a swirl of excitement flared. This was exactly what I needed. For one night, I didn’t want to think about my missing memories, my backstabbing cousin, or a certain broody dragon.
Vander’s hand closed around mine as we reached the rec room, and Flix ushered us into the raging party. Dozens of inmates filled the dark space, the glittering disco ball casting a rainbow of reflections over their writhing bodies. I scanned the sea of multi-colored jumpsuits and met a few familiar faces.
Dallas threw me a smirk from the makeshift DJ booth as he loaded another CD into the old boombox. Hayden wiggled his fingers at me while he flitted around in the center of the dancefloor, rubbing up against a cute Fae female.
Even Logan and the healer, Fiona, had showed up for the party. Our warden leaned against the far wall, his darting gaze intent on the inmates’ every move. It looked like the whole gang was here—with the exception of one large grumpy dragon.
“Hey, pumpkin.” Hayden danced over, a wicked gleam in his eyes. He tugged my hand free of Vander’s and pulled me into his chest. “Wanna dance?”
I eyed the angel skeptically. “Did Talon put you up to this?”
He shook his head. “Absolutely not. I wouldn’t miss moon fest for anything.” He spun me in a circle, and I couldn’t help the giggle that escaped.
“Fine, maybe one dance.”
I tried to ignore the twist of Vander’s lips as I backed away with the angel. I didn’t need drama tonight. I freed the flask hidden inside my jumpsuit and took another gulp as Hayden towed me to the center of the dancefloor. With each sip of wine, I could feel my control slipping and tonight, I welcomed it.
A wave of multi-colored uniforms engulfed us as Dallas turned up the beat with an old human hit from the nineties. I squeezed my eyes shut and let the rhythm move my hips to the banging bass. Hayden twirled me again, and I nearly slammed into a black-jumpsuited female.
“Oops, sorry.” I laughed as I whirled back into the angel’s arms. She shot me a glare, but I took another sip of wine and continued to dance.
“Whatcha got there, pumpkin?” Hayden
’s eyes focused on the flask I slipped back under my shirt.
“A little homemade Fae wine. Want to taste?”
“Ah, now I see why you’re in such a good mood.”
“I’m in a good mood because your dragon BFF isn’t here to ruin it.”
Hayden’s hand came to rest on my shoulder. “Take it easy on T, Azara. He’s had a rough few months. And seeing you getting friendly with his best friend doesn’t make it any easier for him.”
“It’s his fault.” I was being whiney, and I knew it. “Just when I think we’re making progress, he shuts down on me.”
“He has his reasons.”
“Whatever.”
A warm hand closed over my other shoulder, and I spun around. “Since you guys aren’t dancing, do you mind if I cut in?” Vander’s smile melted the brewing irritation.
“Sure, I’d love that.” I wiggled my fingers at Hayden and turned to my wolfy escort. “Later, bunkie.”
Hayden disappeared into the crowd, but I knew he wouldn’t be far. I could feel Dallas’s eyes on me from across the room, not to mention Logan’s scathing glare. They were all on Azara guard duty, and it was obvious who’d sent them.
Vander pulled out his flask and flashed it in front of me. “Cheers?”
“Abso-freakin-lutely.” I raised my container and clinked it against his before downing its remaining contents. The fizzy liquid bubbled up to my head, an intoxicating warmth filling my insides. Wrapping my arms around Vander’s neck, I leaned into my honorary bodyguard. A low growl vibrated his chest, and my she-demon spurred me on. Even with the magic siphoning cuff, she was squirming her way to the surface tonight.
The music slowed, the frantic beat decreasing its tempo to a sultry rhythm. Wolfy’s arms closed around my waist, and his fingers dug into my hips. I swayed to the intoxicating pulse of the old R&B song as my vision grew fuzzier with each melody.
My turn. My demon’s voice grew more powerful in my foggy mind. My fingers lifted to the oppressive fabric of my jumpsuit and I unzipped it down to my waist, letting it hang low on my hips. My thin black tank top was much more appropriate for dancing.