Nika doesn’t say a word in regard to my apparently suffering appetite. Zero pity from that one.
He looks to the three women carefully as if he’s being backed into a corner by rabid wolves. Suddenly Rio isn’t nearly as intimidating as he normally is. Darrio takes a few steps toward the stove. A few pots sit on the burners and a large plate of meat is in the center. His big hand wraps around a chicken leg and he pulls until the meat tears away from the bone.
“Here.” He holds out the chicken leg to me. A tense smile is offered to his scowling sisters as he shoves the warm chicken leg into my hands. “Now, let’s get to work.”
Daxdyn rests his palm against the small of my back as he guides me from the room and away from the heavy stares of his sisters. Grease coats my hands and I don’t know what the hell to do with this chicken leg. The four of us meet the night air once more. The sky is maroon, the Blood Moon threatening to take over the heavens.
Ryder leads us to the back of the house and my feet falter on the dry ground when I see what’s waiting for me. Darrio quietly takes the chicken leg from my hand and I wipe my palms quickly against the sides of my jeans.
Hundreds of tents are set up. The gray material of the tents wave with the breeze. So many eyes look to me. So many soldiers crowd the land. Strong and unyielding men and women are here, waiting just for us. A nerve-wracking silence drifts over them as their attention falls on me.
My tiny frame must look pathetic between Darrio and Daxdyn.
The hard pounding of my heart doesn’t deter the knowing sense that I want to captivate these fae. I want their support.
And I can’t do that if I’m shadowed behind Daxdyn and Darrio.
It takes less concentration now; with ease, my enormous wings stretch out behind me. A nice collective gasp circles the crowd upon sight of my beautiful, angelic wings.
The dark feathers surround my ivory skin, haloing my body into an inspiring look of false grace but honest power.
My steps are taken with deliberate confidence as I stride toward them, my head held high, meeting their gazes.
Unfortunately, I can only see so far. I should fly up onto something, really capture their attention and admiration.
Yes, I need to make this show one to remember.
But, then my plans are burst when Ryder clasps his damn gorilla hands around my hips and lifts my body through the air as if I’m only a small banana. I squirm in his arms a little, wanting to demand he not manhandle a gift from the gods in front of her adoring soldiers.
I say nothing though as he sets me on the porch. The embarrassment simmers. I stand on the porch, several feet above them all just like I wanted.
Soft cotton grazes my fingertips as I smooth my shirt back into place. Ryder, Darrio and Daxdyn all give me small, encouraging smiles as I consider my words carefully.
“Thank you for coming here tonight.”
“We can’t hear you,” an anonymous voice shouts from the back.
“Speak up,” another one says.
Irritation fumes through me and my wings are beating down on the winds without thought. I rise into the crimson colored sky, staring down on them as my hair whips across my face.
“I said,” I can see how wide their small eyes are from here as my voice carries across the endless crowd, “thank you for coming here tonight.”
A nice pause drifts through the air as I appraise them one by one. They’re a dense sea of trained, powerful warriors. If they’re anything like their commander, then the war is already won.
“The creatures, the nix, they are invading our neighboring realm. By sunrise, they will most likely have entered the mortal world.” It depends on how quickly Tristan can gather them. They’ll also need a water source before making the trip back. And by dawn they’ll sleep. But it will be in the mortal realm where they rest. Giving us at least a two-day head start.
“The Travelers have shown us our paths. I have seen the outcome, and the casualties are high, but it is not something we can ignore.” Conviction stings into my words.
A fae with long blonde hair braided down his back lifts his chin to me and I can already feel his dispute before it’s even spoken.
“Why would we aide those who abused us? Tell me, pretty angel, do you know what it feels like to be a slave?”
With careful sweeps of my wings I drift closer to him. His eyes are like deep emeralds and they shine with hostility.
“No, I don’t.” With my confirming admission, a sneering smile pulls at his lips. “The nix grow stronger with every life they take. Where do you think the king of Juvar will lead them once they are powerful enough to overtake us?” His lips purse as he stares up at me. I lift my gaze to the silent soldiers as understanding fills their features. I fly higher, taking in the sight of every single one of them. “The mortal king wants fae at his disposal. The nix are the first step in that direction for him. We must save the mortals in order to save ourselves.”
A few of them nod, but not enough.
