* * * *
Kellan entered the bar in time to watch Jayde pull Endiscott on the dancefloor. He accepted the bracelet from an unfamiliar mage, and stepped to the side. Clasping the latch, he longed to be the one she turned to. The one kissing her while she pressed against him.
A heavy sigh escaped his lips.
Aquila whispered in his ear, “I saw them together ages ago, long before you were born. They were always meant to be.”
“Doesn’t make it easier.” He looked over. Aquila wore her hair long and so dark it appeared blue, or maybe it was. Her eyes shimmered like the ocean in moonlight, and her pale skin glistened enough to make the chain on her wrist appear dull. “I think I’ll mingle.”
She dipped her head. “Don’t worry. I won’t touch either of them.”
“You’re not as bad as my mother made you out to be.”
She smiled, humor dancing through her eyes. “Your mother thinks we’re all evil and out to get her. Tonight, she happens to be right.”
“Thirsty?”
She shook her head. “No. Don’t worry, I’ll behave. I’m curious how all these different magic users will get along.”
“Should be quite the show.” He walked away, up to the bar. There was one seat open, next to a blond who looked vaguely familiar. He sat down beside her and caught the bartender’s attention.
“Can I get a glass of Waitsburg Bourbon Whiskey?”
The bartender nodded.
The woman beside him turned, a smile on her full lips. “And you are?”
“Kellan. You?”
“Zoe.” She glanced back at the crowd. “I noticed you watching the woman Scotty’s with.”
Then it clicked. Endiscott met this woman at the café.
“Can’t help it. I wasn’t ready to let her go. Though, seeing her with him proves I wasn’t the one for her. How well do you know Scotty?”
“We’re friends. That’s all. He certainly seems happy with her.”
“You aren’t jealous?”
She shook her head. “Nope. He helped me realize I wasn’t broken.”
“Why in the abyss would you think you’re broken?”
She sighed. “Back home, my ex stomped on my heart and dragged me through the mud. I moved out here to forget, which wasn’t happening. Not until Scotty made me feel good about myself, for the first time in a long time. He set me free.”
“I’d love to smash the asshole’s face in.”
“My ex?”
“Yeah. I don’t hold anything against Scotty.” He shrugged. “He’s been through enough, and should have been with Jayde all along.”
Zoe’s smile brightened as she lifted her glass. “Then let’s toast to a happy reunion for them.”
Nodding, he clanked his glass to hers before taking a sip. He couldn’t pull his eyes from her sparkling blue ones. Zoe’s magic caressed him, and though it felt fae, it was unfamiliar. Curiosity piqued, he leaned in. “Dance with me?”
Her head dipped slowly. “Wasn’t sure you’d ask.”
Standing, he took her hand and led her to the dancefloor. “Did you come knowing what might happen tonight?”
“I get the sense something bad.”
“And you haven’t left?”
“No. Brent told me there would be a good feature to write. And now I have someone to keep my attention until the story happens.”
He pulled her against his body and moved with the beat. She felt right in his arms, and he swallowed, trying to think of something more to say. “A story?”
She nodded. “Ever hear of In Other News?”
“No. Can’t say that I have.”
“Magazine that goes out to Others. Brent Townsend runs it.” She looked around the crowd and spotted a guy talking to a blond woman. “Him, over there.”
“Interesting. How do mortals not see it’s a magazine with Others?”
“The ink and paper are spelled so sensitives, not mortals, can read what’s actually on the pages. It looks like the National Enquirer to normal humans, who quickly lose interest.”
“You can do that?”
She nodded. “It’s clever magic. Works well. Keeps Others informed while everyone else stays ignorant.”
“And you’re supposed to write something from this party, but you don’t know what?”
She shrugged. “Brent wasn’t sure whatever happens would be publishable, but he wants me to do what I can. It might be more of a test than anything.”
“Something big will go down.” He had to wonder what she would think when it did.
* * * *
Isadora leaned into Toryn, waiting for Saressa to show. Trepidation flowed through her. In spite of Toryn’s assurance the party would be a success, she couldn’t quiet the nagging sensation in her gut. Chaotic visions, and the inability to clearly determine past from potential future, added to her unease.
Her mother moved to her with a warm smile. “The wedding. You’re willing to come to Faerie?” Aeryana’s voice sounded like whispering wind.
Isa looked over at her mother. Aeryana smiled brightly, eagerness dancing in her diamond eyes.
“Yeah. I assume you have to do your ceremony there. As queen and all.” Isa shrugged. “I don’t imagine it will be so bad once Saressa is dealt with.”
“I understand you wanting to stay here on Earth.” She glanced away. “I wish I had more time with you, but perhaps someday we will.”
“Sorry. I’m not ready to go back for good. There’s so much here. My bar, my friends, things I’m used to. There, it’s a whole other world.”
“I know.” She looked down at her dress. “I would never wear anything like this in Faerie.”
Isa’s brow arched. “The dress is hot. Absolutely stunning. Why not?”
“She’s old-fashioned,” Reance teased. “It’s true that most fae don’t wear anything this short back home, but she wouldn’t be completely out of place either.”
“Then I may need to borrow the dress,” Isa said with grin.
Aeryana nodded in agreement. “The dress is more you.”
“Her style, maybe,” Toryn replied. “Though you pull it off brilliantly.”
Aeryana blushed. “Thank you. Reance has already assured me of that.”
Reance’s emerald eyes sparkled as he met Toryn’s gaze. “I have indeed.”
Isa rolled her eyes.
Lana stood on the stage, eyeing Lonny with a smirk. “We have a special appearance from Revolt. Later tonight, Wolf Run will play. And then Revolt will take the stage again for the finale.”
Isa grabbed Toryn’s collar and pulled him in for a kiss. When she released him, he winked at her before backing his way through the crowd.
* * * *
Jayde brushed her lips over Scotty’s. “I can’t wait to see you play.”
“Maybe later I’ll serenade you,” he promised, with an exaggerated wag of his eyebrows, before making his way to the stage.
Jackie sidled up beside her with a smile. “Hi, Jayde. This is Kim, Eddie’s girlfriend.”
The petite Asian girl extended her hand with a beaming smile. “Great to meet you. Never seen Scotty smile so much.”
Jackie nodded. “It’s true. He’s finally happy.”
The beat started, and both Kim and Jackie’s heads snapped to the stage, focused on Eddie. Jayde smiled, and made eye contact with Scotty. She let out a whistle, and he grinned back.
Everyone in Revolt exuded a different kind of sex appeal, but there was only one man for Jayde. Her sexy, insatiable, caring nymph. She hardly remembered the reason for the party when he looked at her like she was the only one in the room. Like they had never been apart for a single day of their lives.
And it came as no surprise that women were screaming the band’s name. Four gorgeous, talented men were sure to leave women salivating.
Jackie leaned in. “He can’t take his eyes off you.”
Nodding, she smirked. “I know. And trust me, he’s is insatiable.”
“He’s a nymph, aren’t they all?”
“But I’m the one he’s going home with.”
“That’s obvious,” Kim agreed. “And I get to take Eddie home.”
A frown tugged at Jackie’s lips. “I noticed Jared here. I’m going to say hello.” She wandered off.
“He’s amazing, isn’t he?” Kim purred.
Jayde’s brow wrinkled. “Who?”
“Eddie. Sorry, I have my own obsession.” Kim winked, her eyes morphing to dragon eyes, and back.
She felt sorry for the girl. There was something between Eddie and Jackie, something tangible he didn’t share with Kim.
* * * *
Isa hung back with Lana, at the bar. Her business partner’s gray eyes kept sweeping through Shenanigans as she played with the hem of her shirt.
“What’s wrong?” Isa asked quietly.
“Reese said he was coming. I tried to talk him out of it. He wouldn’t listen. Shit. I hope he changed his mind.”
“You haven’t heard from him?” Isa asked, a twinge of concern twisting through her.
She shook her head, sweeping the chin-length scarlet hair behind her ears. “I’m worried.”
“I haven’t seen him either. Maybe you should call him?”
“He was pissed I didn’t want him to come. Accused me of wanting Lonny instead.”
“Um, ‘cause you do,” Isa pointed out.
“He isn’t interested, and I’m not waiting around for him to make a move.”
Isa laughed out loud. “Babe, we had this same conversation months ago, only our positions were reversed.”
“Only you didn’t have a boyfriend at the time.” Lana huffed and walked away.
Miffed, Isa took a look around. As much as she wanted to watch Toryn play, she needed the restroom. Missing one song wouldn’t kill her.
She slipped through the crowd and into the hall. Unnatural blackness crashed down around her. A pained grunt sent a chill down her spine.
Isa pushed her energy out and the darkness receded. Saressa stood down the hall, Reese in her embrace, her nails piercing his throat as she ran the flat of a blade down his stomach.
“No! You can’t counter my spell!” she screeched.
“Funny, I seem to counter a lot of your shit. Let him go before this gets ugly,” Isa snapped, trying to think of any solution to save Reese, even as blood dribbled down his collarbone.
“He’s just another of your playthings. One you threw away. Oh, I’ll take Toryn too, but first.” Saressa pressed the blade into Reese’s belly and dragged the edge down, cutting his pants as she went.
Blood gushed as he cried out in pain.
Isa surged forward and Saressa tore out his throat, flinging his trachea to the floor as he fell.
Shutting out Reese’s death, Isa shoved her hand out, hitting Saressa with a jolt of electricity.
Saressa slammed against the wall, throwing her hands out as a spray of water shot toward Isa, freezing as it went. Isa brought her hand up, and a wall of fire rose in front of her, instantly melting the ice.
“Fucking bitch. Why kill a human who has nothing to do with this fight?” Isa sneered. “You’re pathetic. Why is it you’re still alive?”
“Pathetic?” she screamed.
“Are you twelve?” Isa couldn’t stop the snort. “You’re acting like a spoiled psychopath who lost her favorite toy.”
“Endiscott is mine. Alenathos is mine. Aquila is mine. Toryn will be mine!” Saressa stormed through the wall of flame fast enough it caught Isa off-guard.
On reflex, Isa’s fist shot out, slamming into Saressa’s nose with a satisfying crunch. Then she grabbed Saressa’s throat and slammed her into the wall.
Blood dripped down her face, but Isa didn’t stop there as she punched her in the gut.
Saressa’s breath exploded out of her mouth. Her hands caught fire as she shoved at Isa.
A smirk played across her lips. “I’m immune to everything you’ve got, bitch.”
Saressa pushed past her in a puff of steam.
Chapter 41
Scotty felt Saressa’s presence. He looked around and didn’t see Isa. His heart slammed in his chest. He threw his guitar to the floor and hopped off the stage. The mic thumped and squealed as Toryn followed on his heels.
Together they strode toward the back. Black oozed from the corridor leading to the office, bathroom, and kitchen.
The spell that blackened the hall fell away, revealing Isa taunting Saressa, and Reese dead on the floor. Saressa had blood running down her face, taking a beating.
Then Saressa puffed past Isa and put a knife to her throat.
Scotty burst into motion as Isa vanished, reappearing to slam Saressa face-first into the wall. Saressa spun around, slashing the knife at Isa who jumped back.
A curse hummed from the blade. Scotty slammed into Saressa, taking her wrist and bashing it against the wall. The dagger clattered to the ground. “Get rid of it,” he told Isa.
Toryn caught Isa’s arm as he scooped up the blade with a flaming hand, turning it to ash instantly.
“I wasn’t done with her,” she sneered.
Scotty snorted. “Yeah, well I have a few things to say before you finish her.”
Saressa’s emerald eyes shone with tears as she blinked up at him. “I love you. Always loved you,” she whimpered. “You threw it all away!”
“You twisted a bond that should have been and warped it into something sickening. You fucking tore me apart. You didn’t love me. You loved some idea of what you wanted me to be. It wasn’t me, it never fucking was. And now you come here, thinking what? That you can have me back? No! No, and fucking no!” He slammed his hands against the wall, backing up as she slid to the floor, tears streaming down her face.
“You will be mine.” She climbed to her knees.
“I will bind you to me again.” She stood up, her eyes flashing with a defiant light. “This time will be different. Has to be different. I made mistakes, so many mistakes. I can fix them.”
“Too late. Far too late.”
Saressa’s eyes faded to silver as her head whipped toward Isa. Saressa glared. “You’d let her take everything from everyone to be queen?”
“Don’t want to be queen,” Isa spat.
“You lie. You’ll take the throne, and you’ll rule mercilessly. At least you inherited my drive for power.”
“Never. You don’t know me.”
Jayde slid beside Scotty, her chest heaving, as Saressa turned to face her.
“Worthless trollop. She can’t possibly keep you satisfied, Endiscott.”
“She’s the only woman to keep me satisfied.”
“I’ll change that,” Saressa vowed, diving at Jayde as a portal opened behind her. Saressa pushed her through and the portal closed as he rushed forward.
“No!” he screamed.
Kellan came running back as the song of a hundred siren rose around them. “I can follow them. You can come with me, but it’s about to get ugly here.”
“Take me to them.”
“Give me a moment.” He started chanting.
Aquila stepped toward them. “I’m coming too.”
“Yeah, me as well,” Alenathos said. “I want to make sure the bitch goes down this time.”
Isa paused. “You harm Scotty or Jayde, I’ll kill you myself.”
“What? No threats for me?” Kellan snorted.
A smirk lifted one side of her mouth. “You’re on our side, right? I figure you have your own dragon to worry about.”
“Thanks, I think.” He grabbed Scotty and dragged him through a portal, both dragons following.
* * * *
A shit ton of siren were already in the building. Toryn looked to Isa, wanting to skip the fight and take her far away. On a positive note, she had bloody knuckles from bashing in Saressa’s face, so he figured she could hold her own against siren. Especially with the support of the bracelets everyone wore.
Isa’s lips curled in a
smirk and he shook his head. Warrior Princess indeed. Xena’s got nothing on my woman. Didn’t make him feel a damned bit better though.
Preston slid to a stop beside Toryn. “You aren’t going to stop her from taking on these siren?”
“I like my balls intact, thank you.”
Preston snorted. “Right. Really think she’d maim you?”
He shook his head, a laugh coming to his lips. “Nah. I know better. You haven’t seen what she can do, though. She may scare them all off herself.”
As if on cue, Isa whipped her hands out and a flaming whip appeared in each, slashing with a crack that sent several siren flying opposite directions.
“Shit,” Preston whispered. “She learn that from you?”
He nodded.
Morrigan appeared beside him. Toryn looked to his mother and back to Preston. “Mother, meet your grandson. Preston, Morrigan, Morrigan, Preston.”
Preston’s brow arched. “My grandmother is the Morrigan?”
Morrigan smiled. “Preston, it’s a pleasure. You do so look like your father.”
“Your family is full of myths and legends, Preston.” Toryn moved past them, toward the front line Isa easily held, flicking one siren away after another with her new favorite weapons.
The amusement dancing in her eyes allowed him to ease up.
Toryn let fire fill his palms as it danced up his arms. He shot fireball after fireball at each siren as they stepped forward, while Isa snapped them back.
The cry of hellhounds jolted Toryn’s head up. Above the noise, Preston announced, “I got this.”
* * * *
Preston grinned as he pulled his long mana-blade from his back and started toward the five beasts who crept down the back hall.
Drool dropped from their fangs, red flames flickering through their burning eyes. He’d seen one once. The advancing creatures sent a chill down his spine, but he knew enough tricks to dispatch them quickly.
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