by Quinn Loftis
He leaned down, so that he was close to her face, only an inch away. He narrowed his yellow eyes on her. His masculine scent enveloped her, and Myanin fought the need to lean into him. “Whatever’s going on in that beautiful head of yours, you set it aside and focus. I am yours, and you are mine. That is all that needs to be said for now. Yeah?”
His words weren’t cruel or sharp. They were matter of fact. Spoken like a general to his warrior. Myanin liked that. He said what needed to be said and nothing more. She nodded. He gave her a small, crooked smile and then stepped out of her way.
Myanin cleared her throat, ignoring the eyes that had all turned to focus on them. “Shall we get down to why we’re here?” she asked Lilly.
Lilly, being quick on the uptake, nodded. “I think that’s the best idea I’ve heard all day.”
Myanin moved toward the sitting area along with everyone else, but nobody sat. They all just stood there staring at one another. Myanin nearly laughed. Sitting while others stood could make one of two statements. It could make you appear to be submissive to the rest, or it could make you appear so confident of your own power that sitting among dominant personalities didn’t threaten you in the slightest. Myanin finally shrugged and took a seat. It just so happened that Peri did the same at the exact moment. The high fae gave her a slow nod with narrowed eyes.
Lilly sat next and then Tenia. The two males did not sit, which Myanin didn’t think surprised any of them.
“I’ve filled them in on everything,” Lilly said, motioning to Peri, Lucian, and Gerick. Myanin forced herself not to let her mind linger on the last male too long or the fact that he had all the dirty details of her pathetic past. I am yours, and you are mine. His words filled her head and soothed the fear that kept trying to sneak in. He didn’t seem to judge her, so she was going to stop judging herself for him. Instead, she allowed herself to focus on the fact that she had a mate. One that was hers. Only hers. She couldn’t believe how drawn to him she was. Myanin wanted to stare at him, as if he was one of those machines that whirled about filled with cotton candy. She cleared her throat, realizing what she’d just compared her mate to. That was disturbing, even for me. “Needless to say,” Lilly continued, pulling Myanin out of her twisted, cotton candy fantasy, “they have some concerns.”
“As they should,” Myanin replied matter-of-factly. She had to set her emotions aside, including the crazy ones attempting to focus on a certain warlock. “I have committed an act of treason against my people. No matter the reason, it is something I know I cannot atone for. But I am going to at least try.”
“Why?” Peri asked. “At what point did you have a sudden change of heart from when you killed your elder to when you found yourself in cahoots with the Order?”
Myanin wasn’t offended by the high fae’s question, no matter how snarky it was. And she appreciated the couple of small growls that came from Gerick at Peri’s words. The djinn could feel warmth coming from where he stood, as if his own magic were attempting to comfort her. She let that reassure her as she answered Peri. “It wasn’t a sudden change of heart,” Myanin explained. “It has been happening since I’ve been in the human realm. Regardless of what I’ve done, I’m not okay with what Ludcarab and the Order are trying to accomplish. Being around them has made me realize I refuse to become what they have become. Even if I die today, I don’t want to add anymore to my transgressions.”
Peri stared at her, appearing to weigh her words. Myanin knew they rang true because she meant them with every ounce of her being.
“And if I was to bring the djinn council here, right now?” Peri asked.
“I would accept my fate,” Myanin answered without pause.
Myanin saw Gerick move out of the corner of her eye but didn’t take her eyes off of Peri.
“Stand down, general,” Peri said dryly. “I will not hand over your female … unless she gives me reason to.”
The rush of excitement that flowed through Myanin was unexpected. A male had rushed to her defense. Thadrick had never done that. That she suddenly had the urge to share her cotton candy with Gerick was even more shocking, so much so that she almost felt the need to give herself a stern talking to. Sharing cotton candy was serious business. She and her overexuberant magic were going to need to have a long discussion about not being a cheap date.
“Do you have any information for us now?” Peri asked, pulling her back from her inner thoughts.
Myanin nodded. “The Order is working on rebuilding their army of vampires,” she said.
“Unfortunately,” Tenia added. “We had to help them in order to prove we’re loyal.”
“What did you have to do?” Peri asked, her voice markedly gentler than when she’d been speaking to Myanin.
Tenia’s face tightened, her lips drawing in a severe line. “We had to bring in humans for them to change.”
Lilly sucked in a breath, and her face appeared to drain of blood.
Tenia hurried to continue. “We tried to figure out a way to keep from taking innocent people.”
“We used humans who were incarcerated,” Myanin said. “We realize it wasn’t a perfect solution. There are those who’ve been wrongly imprisoned, obviously, and there are others who…”
“Are horrible human beings, locked up for a reason and now they’re being turned into something even more evil that will allow them to act on their evil impulses?” Peri said, interrupting Myanin as she flicked her hands in the air.
The djinn nodded. “It was either that or take the Wendy Rhodeses of the world and turn them into bloodsucking monsters, which, even if they are a bit crazy with a weird accent, don’t deserve to be turned into monsters that like to poke holes into humans and suck,” Myanin said, sounding a tad defensive.
“Oh, the things Jen could have done with that last sentence,” Peri sighed, sounding sad that whoever Jen was, she wasn’t there to oblige her.
“Who’s Wendy Rhodes?” Tenia whispered, obviously unconcerned about this Jen character, who sounded rather interesting.
“A female I met when I was making my way to the Order. She had a thing for playing cards. She thought I was crazy when I told her what I was and why I was in the human realm,” Myanin answered. “Wendy was funny. Though I thought I was going to have to dispose of her at one point if she didn’t calm down. She was ready to call the human authorities.”
Myanin glanced at Tenia. The fae’s eyes were wide. “You told her what you are?”
The djinn nodded. “And why I was here,” she reminded. “She didn’t take it well.”
“I would think not,” Tenia said, her lips turning up slightly. Apparently, she found the situation humorous.
“I didn’t dispose of her,” Myanin added, her gaze jumping to Gerick briefly and then back to Tenia, hoping to make it abundantly clear that she’d not killed anyone else.
“Thank the Great Luna for small miracles,” Tenia sighed.
“Perhaps we should try to stay focused,” Lilly said.
“Right.” Tenia nodded. “So, Cain, who is now the vampire king since Sincaro was dispatched, is changing the humans. But the problem is Ludcarab and Alston thought our idea to get humans from the prisons was a little too brilliant—”
“Naturally,” Peri interjected.
“And they’ve been gathering humans from prisons all over the world,” Tenia continued.
“We were selective in who we chose,” Myanin added. “We tried to make sure not to take the most vile, the ones who hurt children and women.”
The two males in the room growled, and Myanin wanted to growl with them in agreement.
“Ludcarab and Alston will have no such reservations,” Peri said.
“No,” Myanin agreed. “If they give it any thought, they will purposefully find the most violent humans they can.”
“How many have they made so far?” Lilly asked. She leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees as her brow furrowed.
“Fifteen hundred,” Tenia answered.
“They lost over twenty-thousand when Sincaro was killed.” Myanin hoped that might help make the number of newly converted vamps seem a little less daunting.
“And Cain is the new sire?” Lucian asked.
“That’s what he said,” Myanin answered.
“They won’t be that stupid,” Peri said. “Cain may turn these first ones, but they’ll spread out the vamps that rebuild the army so that the loss of one sire won’t wipe them out again.”
“We can try to figure out who they are using,” Tenia said.
“The Great Luna also paid them a visit,” Myanin said.
“Ohh,” Peri’s lips turned up into a small smile and her eyes brightened. “I wish I could have been a fly on the wall for that.”
“I wasn’t there for that part,” Tenia said as she looked at Myanin.
Myanin swallowed, her mouth dry as she remembered the words the goddess had spoken into her mind. She didn’t think that was information the group needed, especially the warlock she was currently having a hard time not staring at, so she focused on what the Great Luna had said to the Order. “They were having a meeting,” she explained. “The leaders of each of the races that has joined the Order.” Myanin listed off their names in quick succession. “The Great Luna told them that if they attacked her chosen during this time of mourning, she would strike them dead where they stood.”
“Anyone else hoping they’ll attack?” Peri asked as she leaned back into the couch where she sat.
“They talked about it.” Myanin nodded.
“Of course they did.” Peri ground her teeth together. “They’re morons who don’t think the Great Luna will act on her words. Mostly because their egos have outgrown their intelligence.”
Myanin chuckled. “That is true.”
Peri sobered as she met Myanin’s eyes. “Lilly said you’re willing to work with Gerick,” the high fae paused as her eyes glanced up at the male who was standing just to Myanin’s left, “and help prepare the warlock warriors for battle.”
Myanin nodded. “I am not trying to imply that your general…” She looked at Lilly.
“I’m right here.” Gerick’s rich voice rumbled from beside her. At some point, he’d gotten much closer to her without her even realizing it. “You can speak to me.”
Myanin shifted in her seat and turned so she could look at him. He knelt down so his bright eyes were level with hers. Her heart sped up in her chest, and she had to force her breathing to remain even. This was why she’d been pointedly trying not to look at him. He made it difficult for her to think.
She cleared her throat and began again. “I’m not trying to imply that you aren’t capable of training your warriors. And I don’t want to step on any toes.”
Gerick’s lips twitched, as if he wanted to smile at her but forced himself not to. “I am not a fool. The djinn are an ancient race with immense power. From what I’ve read about your people, you study different fighting styles and don’t rely on your magic.”
“We can’t. Our power is too dangerous. We have to rely on our skill as fighters.” Myanin continued to hold his gaze.
“Which is why I know it would be smart for me to accept your instruction for my warriors,” Gerick said.
Had he moved even closer? His breath was on her face. She could smell his scent, which was a mixture of spices and rich soil. An odd combination, yet very appealing. She found herself leaning closer, wanting to breathe deeper, wanting to touch him.
“This is about to get awkward, isn’t it?” Peri’s dry voice broke the spell that seemed to have captured Myanin.
The djinn leaned away, surprised by how close their faces had been. Gerick didn’t seem bothered in the slightest. He winked at her as he stood back up, though he didn’t move away from her chair.
He winked at me. She felt ridiculous for liking it. But she did. Myanin liked it a lot, almost as much as she liked cotton candy. The thought gave her pause. That was a serious amount of like. She felt a nudge, and her head snapped to the side as her eyes met Tenia’s. “What?” she asked the fae. Tenia motioned toward Peri.
Myanin turned to look at Peri. “Oh, you’re back with us?” the high fae smirked.
Myanin nodded dumbly.
“So, the Order thinks you two are spying on us, correct?” Peri pinched the bridge of her nose.
“Yes,” Myanin and Tenia answered at the same time.
Peri adjusted herself as she leaned forward and tapped her chin. “We have to make sure you have decent information to report back to them or they will not keep sending you out.”
“Alston does not control me,” Myanin said through clenched teeth.
“Do not underestimate Alston.” Peri’s eyes pierced Myanin. “He is a formidable and adaptable foe. He wouldn’t have lived this long if he wasn’t.
“Lilly mentioned you’re receiving the visions that would normally go to Thadrick,” the high fae said. Her words were matter-of-fact rather than accusatory, which surprised Myanin.
“I have been, but they’re not always clear or in a straight timeline,” Myanin explained. “And I won’t be having them anymore.”
“And why is that?” Peri asked.
Myanin’s eyes once again glanced at Gerick. Maybe she shouldn’t worry about his approval, but she couldn’t help the fact that she wanted it. “I made things right with the Great Luna and with the elder, Lyra. She’s the one whose life I took and whose magic I stole. I gave it back.”
“You gave it back?” Peri sounded very confused.
“Peri,” Lilly said, her tone sounding a tad reproving.
“How do you give back a dead djinn’s magic?” Peri asked, ignoring the warlock queen.
Myanin shrugged. “I just told the Great Luna I didn’t want it anymore.”
“Just like that?” Peri challenged.
What the hell is up with this high fae? Myanin’s face heated. “Yes,” she bit out. “Just like that.”
“You’re young compared to Thadrick. It must have been nice to suddenly have all that power,” Peri crooned.
“Perizada,” Gerick snapped, and the word was so sharp Myanin jumped, but she kept her eyes on the high fae.
“I have said it enough times, but apparently, in your old age, you are having a hard time hearing. So, I’ll say it again, and I’ll try to speak slowly for you.” Myanin narrowed her eyes. “What I did was wrong. At the time, I was blinded by my own emotions. I will not go into detail about everything I was feeling because, frankly, it is not relevant or any of your business. What is your business is the fact that I feel horrible for what I did. I cannot undo it, but I am doing what I can to make a difference for the better. I took power that didn’t belong to me. I twisted it for my own gain, and that was wrong, too. I have the Great Luna’s forgiveness, and the forgiveness of Lyra. I gave the power back and no longer possess anything that does not belong to me. This is the last time I will say it. You can either accept it as truth or not. I do not care what you think of me. I would like your trust so I can help, but beyond that, frankly Perizada, you can kiss my ass.”
The room was silent as a tomb when Myanin finished her momentary lapse of linguistic control. She held her head high as she waited to see what Peri would say.
The high fae smiled. “I’ve decided I like you.”
“That’s not necessarily a good thing,” Lilly whispered.
“I think she’s right,” Tenia said softly as she leaned toward Myanin. “She has the same creepy smile you have.”
Peri ignored the comments as seemed her customary behavior when others talked about her like she wasn’t there. “I don’t suppose the Great Luna mentioned whether Thad’s magic would be repaired once you gave back the elder’s power?” Peri asked.
“She did not.”
“Well”—Peri breathed out slowly, “regardless of how it sometimes feels, she’s still in control and knows what is and isn’t going to happen. We will have to trust her.” She looked directly into Myanin’s eyes an
d gave her a sharp nod of approval. “You’ve done a good thing, coming here and being willing to work with us. The next step would be fixing the mess you’ve made with your people.”
“They’ll sentence me to death,” Myanin said, though she knew she was still going to have to do what Peri said and make things right.
Gerick growled beside her.
“Calm down, Gerick.” Peri sighed. “I swear you males are going to be the death of me.”
“I thought the healers were going to be the death of you,” Lilly said with a small grin.
The high fae shrugged. “It’s a toss- up who will kill me first.”
“I will make things right,” Myanin said, knowing she would have to stand before her elders for what she’d done. She glanced up at Gerick. His black-slitted, yellow eyes were focused completely on her. There was no judgement in his stare. Quite the opposite, in fact. She didn’t deserve the look he gave her. There was a longing in his gaze that made her want things she didn’t deserve, not anymore.
“I believe you,” Peri said.
Myanin finally looked away from Gerick and back at the high fae. Peri’s words made her feel better than the djinn realized they would. It was no small feat having someone in Peri’s position trust her. Myanin’s resolve solidified.
“You know.…” Lucian said as he knelt down beside his mate, his hand resting on Peri’s thigh. The casual way he touched her, as though he had the right to, sent another stab of longing through Myanin. She took her gaze away from his hand and met his eyes briefly before dropping them out of respect. “You aren’t the first supernatural to lose their way or the first to find themselves back on the right path.”
“Supernatural?” Lilly said with a small laugh. “She’s not the first being—supernatural, human, or otherwise—to do that. We all take detours in our lives because we let our emotions rule us, someone else lead us, or something else control us. Thankfully, some of us find our way back from the dark places we find ourselves in.”