43
BAELFIRE
Well,I’ll be damned. Turns out, cultists know how to throw a party.
I take in the shindig as Silas, Everett, and I step through the protective wards into the massive clearing in Everbound Forest where the ruins of an old castle used to sit. Dead trees have been cleared to make room for this event.
Multiple tables have been laid out with meat skewers, wine glasses, and bottles of red wine. Several miniature bonfires line this place, illuminating it as the sun sets and providing extra warmth despite the snowless, Spring-like weather.
Most of the cultists here are still wearing black like they’re in mourning, but they’re a much less morose group than they were yesterday. They chow down on the feast and dance to instrumental music being played through some kind of magic charm.
Several dozen Reformists are here in combat attire, toasting each other, drinking wine, and waiting to officially meet my keeper. Some Nether humans are in attendance, too, but they’re a lot more mellow and quiet where they stick to the corners and observe like they’re not sure what to do at a celebration.
Cultists also know how to build a temple in record time.
I examine the new construction in one corner. It’s a small temple partially constructed from the old ruins. It looks more like a cathedral than a temple and reminds me of Syntyche’s ruined temple that my dragon randomly dragged me to before my dragon tracked down Maven.
Gothic architecture. Kind of sinister. Covered in dozens of ominous ravens perched near the steeples as they stare out with beady eyes like the creepy little fuckers are warning everyone away.
“Maven’s gonna love that,” I grin.
Everett nods, but he’s repeatedly adjusting his sharp suit coat as his nerves get to him in the absence of our keeper. All three of us are wearing suits, but I skipped the coat because it’s already plenty warm for a dragon shifter like me.
Silas is frowning at the wards we just passed through. “Whoever put up those wards, they’re a fucking joke. I doubt they’ll keep out mosquitoes, let alone the nefarious creatures that may be lurking in these woods. I’ll have to reinforce them before?—”
“Uncle Baelfire!” Quinn’s voice calls.
I break into a smile when I see my niece racing toward me, dragging Lillian along behind her. The little water elemental is wearing a blue dress with white bows in her hair as she beams at us. She looks a lot like my brother Grady’s quintet members, her birth parents. My mom mentioned that Grady and Aidan were dealing with an urgent outbreak of ghouls near some pretty severe Limbo Zones somewhere in eastern Canada, or else they would’ve come here to see me, too.
“Nice dress, Quinn,” I greet, glancing at Lillian, who’s laughing at my niece’s antics. “Looks like you found a friend.”
“Yeah! She’s super nice and she read me books all day in the library today, and her name is Lilly,” Quinn incorrectlyintroduces. She looks at Lillian and points at Everett. “His hair’s white and his scar is sexy.”
Silas and I burst into laughter at the look on Lillian’s face, which is almost as good as the completely appalled expression the scarred ice elemental is wearing.
“It’s—that’s not—” Everett sputters before pinching the bridge of his nose. “Godsdamn it, Baelfire, your family needs some filters.”
“She learned it from our keeper, not them,” I laugh before squatting to smile at Quinn. “Where’s your grandma?”
She shrugs, scrubbing at her cheek like it itches. “I dunno. I took Lilly and knocked on the door of the room in the big castle where Grandma’s staying to tell her the party was starting, and Grandma said through the door that they’re busy and they’ll be here later.”
I frown. My mom isn’t the type to blow off anything.
I’m concerned until Lillian clears her throat, seeming embarrassed. “Your parents were preoccupied.”
But still, it’s not like them to?—
Oh. She meanspreoccupied.
I gag at the same time Silas and Everett pull faces. None of us needed to know that little tidbit.
If you think that’s off-putting, don’t check behind the temple,Crypt suggests through the bond just as I can vaguely sense him somewhere nearby.Not unless you want to see the three-eyed acolyte shagging the Carter girl. I, unfortunately, will never have the ability to unsee all three of his eyes rolling back in pleasure.
Yuck. Why’d you have to providethatdetail?I grimace.
It will haunt your dreams tonight. You’re welcome.
Everett frowns.Why the hell are you here instead of keeping an eye out in the castle to let us know when Maven is coming, like I told you to?
