Devil Inside

by S. A. Price

  “If you mean someone was going down,” Eli said to Bax, “then that would have been me.”

  Khalid choked on his laughter. “See, Bax, coat closet.” He looked over at their newest member. “I take it Alyx and you bonded then?”

  “Oh, we bonded,” Eli said. “Not really sure what that means exactly, but no way am I going to be going anywhere. I’m assuming no one has a problem with that?”

  “Yeah, I try not to piss of the daughter of the devil,” Scur said.

  “No one better have a problem with that.” Alyx grinned at them. “Eli, Prince Abaxley of the faeblins, and my captain, Khalid.”

  “Welcome to the guard, Eli,” Abaxley said with a smile as another gong sounded. “Dinner, right?”

  Alyx nodded. “We need to get in there. More thorough intros will have to wait I’m afraid.”

  “I already made sure there was an extra seat with us,” Khalid said and led the way to the dining area. Since there were so many fae in attendance, they had to use several rooms to hold them all. Though he suspected the faeblins appreciated having their own space, especially considering the royalty of Faerie took some getting used to.

  “Observant,” Eli said. “Though I suppose that is a good quality in a captain.”

  “The best,” Alyx said.

  Abaxley grinned. “I hope you don’t mind, I was going to sit next to Gogo, we have a few things to discuss.”

  She nodded to him. “Of course, love.” She looked to Khalid. “You’re to my right, correct?”

  “Always.” He took hold of her hand as they reached the doors. “Though I’m trying to figure out who is going to give up their seat for Bax, ‘cause Cetus certainly isn’t.”

  “Quade is too nice for his own good,” Scur said, “he’ll do it.” Berserker had a point.

  “I sat Quade with Riven so they could talk,” Alyx said. “Scur, if you’re sitting to my left, you keep your hands to yourself.” She grinned.

  “Yeah, that isn’t going to happen,” Scur said. “I decided to forgive you, so my hands are back to wandering when the urge takes them.”

  “Maybe we should have Eli sit to your left.” Khalid held open the door for Alyx to walk in in front of them, the rest of the party already at their seats.

  Like the ballroom, the dining area was decorated in teal and silver, the sigil of the Arcane Court prominent on the banners. Pride filled him seeing all who had shown up for his princess. But the swelling of his chest wasn’t only because of the turnout, but because the people who were seated around the room were more than just allies to his princess, but her friends and family. No one who met Alyx could walk away not being half in love with her.

  He escorted her to her seat and pulled out her chair. “You might want to make a little speech,” he said against her ear before kissing her neck and stepping back.

  “Right...” she said and then smiled at everyone. Verity, who was across from her, and her brother to her right, beamed at her.

  “Thank you all for coming, tonight marks a beautiful occasion, the inclusion of the faeblin race to our community. Arcane welcomes our new people, and ushers in a future full of promise, prosperity and luck. We thank those that have come to celebrate this with us, and know that myself, as well as my guard, are both humbled and touched you could all be here.” She raised her glass. “Before the first course, I would like to propose a toast. To the future of Faerie, and the wonder of all it has in store for us.”

  “To the future of Faerie,” they all repeated, glasses held high.

  “Perfect,” Khalid whispered to her and pushed in her chair when she sat, before taking the seat to her right, Scur to her left, and Eli sitting next to him. Her newest guard looked over to where those of the Blood Court sat and stuck her tongue out at Bechar, who in return, flipped her the bird oh so subtly. Ria, who was sitting a couple seats down from Alyx, Scur and Niko, between them, leaned forward.

  “It seems your house has grown by more than just the faeblins.” The princess bobbed her brows. “I take it this one didn’t try to fight it like the first three.”

  Alyx smiled. “No, I think women just aren’t as stubborn.”

  Verity laughed. “Amen to that.”

  Both Scur and Quinn snorted at the same time. “Hey, I did not try and fight anything,” Scur said. “So you leave me out of that one.”

  “They seriously didn’t jump you from the start?” Eli asked, glancing at all three of them. “Damn. Someone hit them on the head as children?”

  “I’m sure they were hit on the head constantly as children, but Scur...well, he did catch me after a month of living with me. Khalid...well, I had to corner him, and Abaxley...” She shrugged. “It’s good you know what you want and go for it.”

  Gogo smiled at her from down the table. “There is nothing wrong with a princess taking what she wants.” She winked at Quade. “Sometimes it’s just what needs done.”

  “So that’s where you scampered off to then, eh?” Tripp said. “Indoctrinated a new guard. Eli, sweetheart, you got gypped.” He winked at her. “That wasn’t nearly enough time.”

  “Oh, Tripp, muffin,” Eli said, leaning back in her seat, “I have plenty of time to make it count. Plus, since I don’t waste time when I want something, I made sure to use every available moment.”

  “You should try that some time, Tripp,” Mea said, straight-faced. “If you didn’t try to see if your capes would allow you to fly half the time, you could get me naked much quicker.”

  “Where is the fun in that? Not getting you naked, love, but not seeing if I can fly?”

  “It’s never going to change, you psycho,” Ryker said. “So, let’s talk about this quest you are going on.” He looked to Alyx. “And is there any reason for you to bring some friends along?”

  Alyx laughed. “I don’t think this is an Endgame kinda thing, but we won’t know what’s going on ‘til something happens.”

  “And the nomarts?” Verity said. “Have you heard from them since?”

  Alyx shook her head. “I don’t think we will.”

  “The entire area is covered in a storm, has been largely for the past five days,” Hendrix said.

  “Their doing?” Verity asked.

  “I don’t know,” the scourge said with a shrug.

  “It seems it would be safer not to have any contact with them until necessary,” Khalid said, stretching his arm behind Alyx as the first course was being served. “They have kept themselves hidden for lifetimes, they know what they’re doing.”

  “Okay, I know I came into this late, but what the hell is everyone talking about?” Eli asked. “Apparently my brother has been holding back the fun shit.”

  “You’re the one who keeps popping in and out,” Bechar said. “Not my fault you haven’t gotten all the good gossip.”

  Khalid laughed and turned to their newest addition and gave her a quick rundown on what had been happening. “So,” he said, “it seems your timing is pretty damn impeccable. We’re going to need all the help we can get. Just try not to bleed on me.”

  Eli smirked at him. “I’ll do my best.”

  Alyx laughed. “Yes, no bleeding.”

  Conversation died down as everyone started eating. Verity looked up at them as she finished her course and smiled. “The food is amazing, Alyx.”

  “We just got started, you will love the entrée,” she said.

  “Who is the cook?” the queen asked.

  “Cannadonia and Co. She’s our go to caterer and she was tickled when she was told she was doing a royal party.”

  “She’s not bad,” Bechar said and grunted when Mea leaned behind Ryker to smack the back of the demon’s head.

  “Don’t mind them, they still aren’t housebroken. Well, other than Riven and Damari. Thank the gods for those two.”

  “Since when has Riven been housebroken?” Khalid asked then turned to Alyx, lowering his voice. “Next time we’re all alone, you should ask your new guard about her power.” Quinn mumbled
something and Khalid looked over at the man. “What was that?”

  “Oh, just thinking how your misguided insight into why I don’t like Scur no longer holds. I can’t manipulate or borrow Eliora’s powers, and I still like her.”

  Verity shook her head and leaned in to kiss Quinn.

  “Well then, what’s the reason then, dear brother?” Alyx grinned at him as the second course was placed in front of them.

  “Yeah, Quinn, why don’t you like me?” Scur asked in a mock pout.

  “The reason I don’t like Scur?” Quinn asked, innocent expression on his face. “Why, little sister, if you like him, I like him. So, what’s the next course?”

  Ria giggled. “That’s the ‘I really want to get laid tonight’ answer, Mr. Mayhem. Someone doesn’t want to end up in the dog house.”

  “Back to the quest before someone gets kicked in the groin,” Khalid said and turned his attention to Verity. “We’re prepared for whatever is thrown at us. I believe Faerie picked the right princess for job.”

  “I agree. We all have our strengths, but aside from Mea, I don’t think any of us could handle this kinda shit.”

  Gogo nodded. “Questing for my king was one thing, tomb raiding and solving puzzles? Well, the solving puzzles is all Nihar.”

  “I think it would be fun,” Ria said. “I haven’t left the Sithen in forever. I was surprised these two actually let me come here.” She pointed to both Niko and Barden. “I swear, you’d think I had the plague or something.”

  “Well you do look like you’re about to pop, Ria,” Scur said, as tactful as always.

  “I have a few more months, thank you very much.” Ria smiled and it lit her entire face. “I’m going to get even bigger.”

  Alyx frowned. “Of course, you are, you’re having Niko’s kid.”

  Niko snorted.

  “The one thing I’m not looking forward to when pregnant you are so excited for,” Verity said.

  “Well, she does get daily belly massages with coco butter lotion,” Barden said.

  “Verity, trust me, getting bigger is one of the best things about it,” Ria said. “It means my little boy is almost here.” The princess looked down the table. “Gen, tell Verity how cool it is getting a big ole pregnant belly.”

  Gen looked at Ria, brow raised. “Has she been spiking her drink when no one was looking? Really, Barden, you need to watch her better than that, she’s wily.”

  Ria sighed and Quinn started laughing. “V, baby, you are going to be sexy as hell all pregnant. I for one am looking forward to the day.”

  “Of course, you are. Sex with a pregnant woman is awesome, so I hear, they are always horny,” Alyx said.

  Niko snorted again and forked some salad into his mouth.

  “Notice how he didn’t deny it,” Khalid said. “Aziz, is it true? Are pregnant women always horny?”

  “I can answer that,” Kaelynn said. “Yes, yes they are and it’s fan-fucking-tastic.”

  Niko shook his head. “Oh, she’s always horny but...” he shook his head. “You will come to understand that snort when your female is as big as a house and wants certain things.”

  Aziz shook his head. “This perfect woman is always horny when it comes to me, both of them are, so I see no difference really. But her belly is quite enticing.”

  Alyx made a retching sound. “None of you are knocking me up any time soon.”

  Verity nodded. “I’m of that mind as well. I know Mea is with us...”

  “I’m still trying to figure out a way to make that two-year agreement into a ten-year agreement,” Mea said.

  Ria scoffed. “You’re all crazy. And Niko,” she said as sweet as can be, “if you call me big as a house again, you won’t have a certain appendage anymore and then you won’t have to worry about fucking me.” She kissed his cheek and went back to her salad like she’d just told him they were going to have cheesecake for dessert.

  “Okay,” Khalid said and blinked. “Pregnant women are scary.”

  “She’s not allowed weapons in the delivery room,” Barden said. “Something tells me one of us is going to get stabbed otherwise.”

  “Funny, that’s the same conversation I had with Tripp,” Ryker said. “Though Mea might just set us all on fire.”

  “You won’t have to wait until I’m having your baby for me to do that, Ryker,” Mea said before taking a sip of her wine. “You keep talking to Tripp about what I can and cannot have, and I’ll do it as soon as we’re home.”

  “I’ll give you a weapon, sugar,” Bechar said.

  Verity looked to Ria. “Have you decided on how you are going to birth? Like a water birth?”

  Niko looked at Ria and leaned in, nipping her ear.

  “Don’t you be nipping at me, mister. You and Barden are sleeping on the couch tonight. Not allowed weapons,” she murmured. “I am not Tripp, thank you very much. I might let Mea set you on fire, too.”

  Khalid watched as Scur stealthily moved his chair closer to Alyx as Ria’s attention turn to Verity, a bright smile still on her face. “When Kol is ready, he’s going to come.” She shrugged. “I’m going to let my physician take care of the details. Grave has one of the best baby doctors there is. He delivered me.”

  “He’s also mad as a hatter,” Barden said. “But he’s a good doctor. Argie has insisted she midwife. And you will not have weapons in the delivery, love, or anything that could possibly puncture me. Old Niko might not be there but I plan on it and I will not be injured with a particularly heavy contraction.” He smiled.

  “Or shot. You don’t wanna get shot,” Tripp said.

  “Who the hell uses guns around here?” Alyx asked.

  Ria turned to Barden and kissed him square on the lips. “You’re still sleeping on the couch. You never tell a pregnant woman no.”

  “Humans,” Eli said, and he and Scur turned to look at her. “Humans,” she repeated. “Those fucks love their guns. You wouldn’t believe how many end up dead with some kind of gunshot hole in their bodies. It’s sad.”

  “Idiots,” Alyx said.

  The last course came and they tucked in, eating largely without comments. Alyx gripped Khalid’s leg at one point, running her fingers down the inner part of his thigh.

  The woman did make it hard to concentrate on eating, not that he would ever complain about it. Deciding he only needed one hand to eat, he moved his hand under the table and rested it over hers. “Looks like everyone is enjoying themselves,” he said and turned his head to whisper to her. “You and Octavia put on one hell of a party.”

  “It’s what I do.” She smirked. “She’s rather proud of herself. I think she’s quite taken with two of the faeblins herself...” She motioned down the line to see her lady between two of Abaxley’s advisers.

  Khalid chuckled under his breath. “Well, I guess she won’t have a problem keeping herself busy when we’re gone.”

  “That’s a good thing.”

  “Excuse me, Princess, Captain?”

  They looked up to see Azrael behind their chairs. “Yes, Azrael? Is there a problem?”

  “I’m not sure. It’s moonrise and...well, your scroll is glowing.”

  ***

  Alyx blinked at the majordomo. “Did you say glowing?”

  Abaxley was up from his chair in moments. “We have a small window, we need to see it now.”

  Alyx nodded. “Will you excuse us?”

  Verity nodded. “Of course.”

  She stood up as Azrael pulled her chair back. Khalid, Scur and Eli all followed suit and she nodded to everyone. “Please excuse us.”

  “Oh, go, go,” Ria said with a squeal, bouncing in her seat. “It’s so exciting.”

  “I’ll fill you in later, Princess,” Scur told her with a wink then the five of them followed Azrael out of the room. “Looks like Eli had damn good timing on getting here.”

  “I’m used to being thrown in the fire, both metaphorically and literally,” she told them.

  “Are you firep
roof?” Alyx quipped as they rushed down the hall.

  “Only Hellfire,” Eli said. “Well, at least I think so. Never tested it on any other kind.”

  “Sounds like that could be a fun night,” Scur said. “We can invite Mea over and do an experiment.”

  “You’re right,” Eli said with a laugh. “He is an asshole.”

  “Told you,” she said as they walked into the room they had set up as their war room to see the scroll, laid out and glowing purple. “That’s interesting.”

  Abaxley was the first to get to the scroll and leaned over it. “It looks like a map and there’s words in High Sidhe.”

  Khalid looked at her. “I do believe that’s your cue for translation, Alyx.”

  “You know High Sidhe?” Eli asked. “Damn, sexy and smart. Daddy’s going to be so proud of me.” She winked at her before walking closer and leaning over the table to get a better look at the scroll.

  Alyx followed and stepped next to Abaxley, leaning over. She looked at the glowing spot of purple, and the words, like a ghostly relief on the scroll. “Someone have a pen and paper?”

  “Of course, Princess,” Azrael said.

  “Well that’s coordinates.” She pointed, though they could see a section of the fertile crescent lit up with the pulsing purple light. “And the words... Okay so, the garden original, in a time before time. The amethyst...I think that says amethyst...lies safe from those that would destroy us. Guarded, only one of royal birth may lay hands on our most precious prize. For within lies the secret to the beginning.”

  “Well that was a mouthful,” Abaxley said.

  “Yeah, according to Nihar, all these old guys really liked their randomly worded clues,” Khalid said. “But at least we get coordinates. Scur...”

  “Already on it.” Scur sat down at the end of the table and opened the laptop that was sitting there. A couple keystrokes later and a screen came down from the ceiling. Hendrix had hooked them up with all the tech they needed. “Hit me with those coordinates.”

  Abaxley read them off. “Speaking of Nihar, we might need him.”

  “I can go grab him,” Eli said. “From what I’ve heard about him, he’s probably already in the hallway hoping you’ll ask for him. Be back in a jiff, don’t do anything fun while I’m gone.” Eli headed out as Scur brought up the coordinates on the screen.