He leaned forward, elbows on knees, and let his gaze land on each girl in turn. “Based on your lack of a barrage of questions, I assume you’ve had some things explained to you—about what you are, about Damarians. But there’s more to this world than what you’ve heard from the people who took you, the guards and whispers in the hallways. And you deserve to hear the truth from someone who isn’t trying to use you.”
Raphael’s voice slid in, velvet and steady, as if they’d rehearsed this exchange a hundred times. “You already know you’re animi. That you can see us for what we are. The glamour doesn’t work on you, because you’re meant to be part of this world—if you choose it.”
Nico nodded, picking up where Raphael left off. “What you might not know is that recently, everything about the animus bond changed. Visata—the creator of all Damarians—made a new decree. Now, every animus female has a single destined mate. When you get your tattoo, it’ll be a perfect match to your mate’s, and it will tell you which kingdom you belong to.”
Morgan scoffed. “So, fate is a tattoo artist now?”
Raphael grinned, the expression softening the severity of his features. “Visata has a sense of humor, even in all of his awesomeness.”
Akira’s gaze sharpened. “And if we don’t want this? If we don’t want a tattoo, a mate, a kingdom?”
Nico’s answer was immediate, honest. “Then you don’t have to choose it. That’s part of what we’re fighting for—your choice. Not every Damarian agrees, but here in Chaos, and a few other kingdoms, freedom,choice, matters.”
He saw the flicker of hope in Akira’s eyes, the subtle relaxing of her spine. “But what about the rest? Why are we really in danger?”
Raphael’s jaw tightened. “That’s where the story gets ugly. The Kingdom of Venom—snakes and scorpions—used to be ruled by Azure. He started kidnapping animi and selling them, not to mention kidnapping human females and attempting to turn them into animi, breaking every law set by Visata. And . . .” He looked to Nico, who finished the sentence without missing a beat.
“And Wolfgang and Talulla helped Azure. They let him use Chaos as a hunting ground, were purchasing females from him, and hid what he was doing from the shaman council. Then turned a blind eye to the suffering of women like you.” Nico’s tone was bitter, frustration bleeding through the words. “They betrayed all of us—Damarians and animi alike.”
Morgan’s glare softened just a fraction. “So why are you helping?”
Raphael answered before Nico could. “Because I know what it’s like to be trapped by what you are. I’m not a Damarian. I wasn’t created by Visata. I’m a demon. The kind most people run from, or try to use. I chose to be here because I don’t want to be what I was made to be. I don’t want to hurt people, ormanipulate them. Kingdom of Chaos is a safe place for those who don’t fit anywhere else. That’s what I’m fighting for.”
Miryam’s eyes widened, surprise scurrying across her features. “You chose this?”
Raphael nodded, a small, genuine smile tugging at his lips. “Every day.”
Nico leaned back, letting the weight of their words settle. For a moment, the only sound was the distant hum of the casino, the muffled pulse of music and life just outside the door.
“That’s a lot,” Akira finally said, her tone measured but not unkind. “But words are easy.”
Nico smiled, a spark of admiration filling him. “Agreed. Which is why I want you to talk to someone who’s been through it—someone who was human, just like you.” He pulled out his phone, thumbed in a number, and waited as the screen blinked to life.
Chapter Four
“There is a great deal of good in the world, but people seem inclined to judge a book by its cover. And it is their loss. They will be the ones who miss out on someone who might have fought for them, loved them, or even died for them.” ~ Raphael
Callon’s face appeared first—broad, golden-skinned, every inch the lion he was, with a mane of tawny hair and amber eyes that radiated both authority and a predatory keenness. “Nico,” he said, nodding. “What’s up?”
“I was wondering if I could borrow your mate?” Nico asked.
There was no pause for consideration as Callon answered. “No,” then ended the call as the video cut off.
Raphael choked on a laugh.
“He seems helpful,” Miryam muttered.
Nico rolled his eyes and hit the lion shifter’s name again for a video call.
“The saying goes ‘don’t poke the bear,’” Raphael said, “It stands true for lions as well. Nico should have worded hisrequest differently.” The demon paused as he lifted a brow at him. “As you well know.”
The shaman shrugged. “He makes it too easy,” he said, amused that hehadbeen able to get a rise out of the cat. Finally after five rings, the screen lit up again, but this time it wasn’t Callon’s face, but the female in question. Her two-toned, peach and white skin was as unique and lovely as she was, and he couldn’t help but be envious of the lion. Well, he had been, until meeting Akira. He suddenly found that he was drawn to alabaster skin, shiny, long black hair, and keen eyes that didn’t seem to miss a thing.
“Why do you insist on annoying him?” Lola asked, her green eyes narrowed on him.
“Because he has a death wish,” Callon’s voice came from somewhere beyond the camera’s view. “And he’s hoping I’ll be his fairy godmother.”
Her image on the screen wobbled for a moment as she was jostled. Then Nico watched as Lola slapped Callon’s attempt to grab the phone from her. It was half hearted at best. If he really wanted the phone, it would have been out of her hand and into his from one breath to the next. Nico saw the love in Lola’s eyes as she narrowed them on her mate.
