Jen’s brow rose. “Is that all? Nothing to add?”
“Nope.”
Peri forced herself not to smile. The child’s point might not have much effect on Jen now, but he’d planted a seed. It would grow inside of Jen, especially once their world wasn’t crumbling down on top of them. With the threat to Skender’s life momentarily passed, Peri glanced over Jen’s shoulder and looked at Myanin. “I think you can put that away now.”
Myanin didn’t move for several seconds, but then she finally flipped the blade around and slid it into a sheath on her thigh.
One more death averted. Peri looked around the group, noting who was present. “We didn’t come through the veil to watch Jen lose her crap and start a ripple effect through an ever-growing population of mentally unstable females in this pack,” Peri said. “Jacque, you might want to get the water tested to see what’s making your females psycho.”
“You have to add your name to that list, Peri-fairy,” Jen said slyly. She walked over to stand next to Jacque, folding her arms across her chest. “From my point of view, you’re not just a member of the crazy chick tribe. You’re the leader. Congratulations. We will throw you a celebration after we’ve got Ludcarab’s head on a stake in our front yard.”
“I told you not to let her watch that movie about Vlad the Impaler,” Zara told Wadim. “Now we’re going to have staked heads all over the grounds.”
“I concede your point, Jennifer,” said Peri. “And as the leader of the CCT, I am beseeching you to listen up.”
“Dammit,” Jen muttered. “How am I supposed to stay mad at her if she’s making up acronyms?”
Peri ignored her and continued to address the group. “It’s time for us to act. The Great Luna has made that clear.” Peri looked at Lilly. “Do you feel any differently?”
“I no longer feel the need to tell you to stay put,” she said.
Peri released Tenia from her hold and motioned for the female to step beside her. “This is Tenia, as her son pointed out. She is a fae that Alston controlled by keeping her son a prisoner. Torion has a very special ability. Tenia…” Peri motioned for the female to take over, but before Tenia could open her mouth, a blade suddenly stuck in the ground at Tenia’s feet, a mere inch from the female’s toes.
Tenia glanced at it and then looked up. “You don’t have to be so dramatic, Myanin,” she said dryly. “I just watched my mate get mauled by a crazy she-wolf and found out my son is to be the son-in-law of the same crazy female. And I’ve been stuck in the draheim realm, unable to do anything but sit around and wait. There is no cotton candy in the draheim realm, so I don’t have a peace offering.”
Myanin, who hadn’t said a word since she’d threatened Jen, closed the distance between them until she stood in front of Tenia. “You’re a freaking fae. Magic me some cotton candy, and I might forgive you.”
Tenia rolled her eyes. “Forgive me? For what?”
“For making me like you. It’s annoying as hell to like someone who gets themself killed.”
“Not dead.” Tenia pointed at herself.
Myanin raised a brow. “We can argue about it later. Cotton candy.” The djinn held out her hand.
“I think I liked the draheim realm better,” Peri muttered as she held out her hand, and a bag of the sugary treat appeared.
Myanin plucked it from her hand, though her eyes stayed on Tenia. She opened the bag and then tore off a piece and put it in her mouth.
“Better?” Tenia asked.
“For now,” the djinn said, mollified. She stepped to the side so the rest of the group could once again see Tenia.
“She makes me look normal,” Jen mumbled.
“Can someonepleasetell me what in the blazes is going on? I’ve only got bits and pieces. Throw me a damn bone,” Heather shouted, drawing everyone’s attention.
“Nobody has died,” Jewel quickly supplied. “And, most importantly, Myanin has finally gotten the cotton candy that Nissa or Elle could have magicked her at any point. But I think watching her suffer amused them too much to give in.”
“You mean we’ve listened to her mutter under her breath about cotton candy all this time and it could have been dealt with?” Heather asked.
“You must not have kids,” Tenia said. “If you give a child something because they complain enough, they will just do it more in the future.”
“Are you comparing me to an offspring?” Myanin asked around her mouthful of cotton candy.
“It sounds like she’s comparing you to a spoiled brat.” Heather shrugged. “If the djinn shoe fits.”
Peri was sure at any moment she would have to stop a flying blade from hitting Heather in the forehead, but Myanin just rolled her eyes at Heather and continued eating.
