“That’s a lie,” Jacque piped up. “You’ve died more than any of us. You’re just hard tokeepdead.”
Jen shrugged. “That’s fair.”
Cautiously, they regrouped, watching for any renewed threat. Thankfully, no more demons appeared.
Jen let out a shaky laugh. “Remind me not to complain about being bored. That wasn’t the type of entertainment I was looking for.”
Thalion approached, looking grim. Cyn shadowed protectively behind him. “Something ripped open a portal to bring those creatures here. But the one who did it is long gone. They could have kept the portal open if they’d stuck around.” The elf king’s sword disappeared, and he deftly re-braided his long hair. “It’s been quite some time since hellspawn entered the human realm. The closest call being when Cypher nearly accomplished it.”
Jen’s eyes snapped to Lilly. Her best friend’s mom, the warlock queen and former mate to Cypher, took a deep breath and appeared to be composing herself. At times, she still had the empty stare of someone who’d lost something special to them and didn’t know what to do with themselves now.
Thalion’s eyes narrowed, gazing at the empty building. “Celise knew we were coming. I suspect she has found dark allies willing to aid her.”
Jen blew out a breath. “Of course she did. The real question is, what’s she gonna do with that creepy-ass book now? What more can it do other than just open a portal to the land of the wickedly dead?”
“It can raise the dead,” Cyn answered.
“I’m sorry, what?” Jen and Jacque said in unison.
“I don’t remember that being a threat when Desdemona wanted to use it to open the gates of hell. Is this a new development?”
Decebel helped Jen stand up. “No, Jacque, it’s not new, but it’s not necessarily a well-known or reliable ability. To our knowledge, the power is only theoretical. We don’t know that the book has ever been used successfully to bring a person back.”
“That’s not reassuring, Dec,” Jen pointed out. “Reassuring would be something like ‘that’s a silly rumor that has been proven to be wrong time and time again.’” She looked at her mate. “See how that sounds better than ‘only theoretical’?”
“Maybe so, baby. But it’s also complete BS.”
“Which we all know is typical for her,” Jacque added.
Jen pointed at them. “I’m letting you two off the hook for those ridiculous statements because I’m covered in demon ash, and I want a shower.”
“I have no doubt you’ll get your revenge.” Jacque waved her friend off.
Jen gave a sharp nod. “Damn straight!”
“Let’s report back to Fane.” Decebel looked to the fae for their transportation.
As Jen placed her hand on Cyn’s arm, she gave it a squeeze. “If I’ve never told you thank you for hauling our asses around like annoying cargo, let me do it now. Thank you, Cyn, Elle, and Adam.”
“Glad to be of service,” Cyn said in her usual flat voice. If Jen hadn’t known the fae female longer, she’d have thought Cyn was annoyed. But because Jendidknow her, she understood that was just Cyn’s RBV, resting bitch voice. “Your RBV goes perfect with your RBF.”
A small smile kicked up one side of Cyn’s face. “Anyone ever tell you that you’re as annoying as a bur in the ass?”
“Is that the same as a pain in the ass?” Jacque asked. “Because if so, then yes. She’s well aware. We tried our damndest to make sure Jen was aware of her own annoyances. The problem is, she doesn’t give a flying flip.”
“It’s also what makes me a damn good friend. I’m friends with who I want to be friends with no matter what others might think. Take Cyn, for example. Most people would assume she’s a dick and not want to be her friend. But I”—Jen pointed to herself—“appreciate her dickness and applaud her for her ability to remain emotionally stagnant in intense situations.”
“Good grief.” Crina groaned while others in the group chuckled.
“Let’s get back to the sprite stronghold before any more hellspawn wiggle their way through some tiny slip of a hole in the fabric between their realm and ours and before Jen spews anything that might actually offend someone.” Jacque made a circle in the air with her finger, indicating everyone should grab onto a fae in order to be flashed back to the sprite realm.
Jen simply winked at her friend and alpha female. “You know, in order to get me to shut up, I’d have to care about offending someone.”
Jacque nodded. “Believe me, I’m well aware. Somehow you’ve managed to not die at the hands of some sensitive being simply because you have a big mouth that’s never had a filter. You should get an award.”
“Agreed.” Jen smiled. “Please make sure it comes with whipped cream. You people keep thinking I’m joking about that, but I’m dead serious.”
ChapterNine
