I thought it telling that Lexa never referred to Sin Garu as her brother. Then again, if I had a brother like him, I doubted I’d want to claim any ties either.
“Cadmus? Any thoughts?” Arim asked.
Cadmus shook his head, and I wanted to lay into him for not confiding in me. Oh, just wait until I had him alone again.
He flashed me a wary glance. “Ah, no, not anything helpful. But I can’t stop thinking about what I saw in Ellie’s eyes before the vision ends. It’s your eyes looking out, Arim. It sounds crazy, but I got the impression you were somehow inside her, if that makes any sense.”
Arim stared from Cadmus to me then glanced at Lexa. Finally, he spoke, as if coming to a decision. “This is something we need to tell your brothers. Cadmus, the time has come to return home. But you won’t be going alone. Ellie, you need to come with us.”
I nodded. “I’m ready.”
“Well, I’m not,” Ethim said. “I’m still not convinced my daughter is an affai to a Light Bringer. I’ll be damned if I’ll let her go into enemy territory by herself.”
Cadmus sighed. “Ethim, really —”
“Good point.” Arim’s agreement caught me by surprise. “Jonas can accompany her. In fact, I’ll come back for him myself after I verify a few things at home. Will that work?”
Ethim considered him. “Yes, I think so.”
“Don’t ask me or anything,” Jonas muttered. “Sometimes, I wonder that I’m not really a lapdog dreaming I’m a man.”
“You’re a dog, all right.” I grinned, relieved I wouldn’t be going into Tanselm alone. Cadmus would, of course, be with me. But when he left to do his princely duty, I didn’t want to be alone at the mercy of a people who’d been taught I was the enemy.
“If that’s settled, then.” Arim looked ready to leave but froze when Lexa took a step in his direction. “Yes?” he asked with disdain.
“I’m crushed you’re not extending me an invitation too, Arim.” Lexa pouted, and I saw Arim focus on her lips before glaring. Oh, Lexa was really good at pulling his chain.
“You’ll be there soon enough, I imagine. When you bring your beloved brother through a dimensional portal. Don’t worry, Blue. I’ll meet with you privately, after I’ve shored our defenses. Look for my signal in Shathra.”
Lexa looked like she wanted to say something. Instead, she nodded and stepped back.
Arim glanced at us. “Ellie, Cadmus, take my hands.”
Cadmus and I drew close to Arim and reached out. The instant I put my hand in the sorcerer’s, I knew I’d made a mistake. My mind went blank.
And the world turned black.
Chapter 26
Remir: A Greedy Djinn
I studied Ethim’s gathering from atop a nearby tree, my gaze unimpeded by the magical shields surrounding the Sarqua’s abode, thanks to a handy Dark Lord spell.
I watched as Arim grabbed the Sarqua’s daughter and the Earth Lord and teleported from the room. My Dark Mistress and Jonas conferred for a short time before Jonas shimmered from the room, leaving the Sarqua, his mate, and my Dark Mistress alone.
In the blink of an eye, she vanished. Moments later, she joined me in the treetop.
“So Remir, what did you think?” Lexa asked.
“Tough call, Mistress. I think Arim bought it, but I’m not sure Jonas will do as you instructed. Frankly, he’s a little too taken with Elliara and the Light Bringers for my taste.”
“I’ve always thought so.” His Dark Mistress preened and tossed back her hair, making me wonder how long she would taunt me before giving me what I craved again. Every second without her was too much too bear. “But Jonas would rather hurt Ellie for a brief time than cross me. I’m not as forgiving as the little Djinn half-breed.”
I chuckled then sighed when she ran her fingers through my hair.
“Have you missed me, Darkling?”
She ran her lips over my neck, nuzzling my pounding pulse point and filling me with carnal need.
