The path was bordered by trees on either side. The trees themselves were blue-green, with dark, inky black leaves. Vines climbed up the trees, a greenish yellow that reminded me of poisonous snakes.
The path cut through the wetlands. If we were to step off the dry ground, our boots would be swallowed by a thick, dark mud.
“You take me to the creepiest places,” Kyla muttered.
I sighed. “Let’s get this over with.”
Kyla hummed the Yellow Brick Road song while we walked along the path. Within a few minutes, the path had widened, finally giving way to a springy ground that was damp but stable enough to walk on.
To our left, giant grasses gave way to the same blue-green trees, clumped together in a dark forest. To our right, it was all sandy swamp, the water dark and murky. I had no doubt that various creatures lay in wait beneath that water.
An unseelie woman was digging at the edge of the swamp. I had no idea what she was looking for, but she lifted her head as we approached.
“Ah,” she said. “You’ve come.”
Either she had a glimpse of the sight, she had access to a seer, or she wanted me to wonder. I just shrugged.
“My name is Danica,” I said. “I was sent by–”
“I know who you were sent by. You’re looking for the golden sword.”
“Yes. Can I see your palm, please?”
She smiled at me and held up her hand. The scar was deep, as if she’d been branded with the strange runes. I peered at it. I’d never seen those runes before.
“Are you ready to do whatever it takes to get that sword?”
“Yes.”
She gave us both a faint smile. She was beautiful, as all of the fae were, but there was something more… human about her than I usually saw with the fae.
“You may learn to regret that answer,” she said wryly. She got to her feet and walked toward me, the bottom half of her long dress soaked in water and covered in dirt. She didn’t seem to notice.
“I was present when the sword was given to its last owners several years ago. I can tell you who they are. If they have passed it on, it will be up to them if they tell you the details or refuse to divulge that information.”
“We can make them tell us,”Misty sounded amused, if that was possible for the enchanted dagger.“They can’t refuseme.”
“Slow your roll,”I advised it.“We don’t even know if they’ll talk to us yet. We need to get their details from Ilis first.”
Ilis tilted her head. “Come and eat with me. The sword isn’t going anywhere. At least for now.”
I opened my mouth to protest, but Ilis was already turning away.
Kyla glanced around at the swamp. “Where exactly are you thinking of eating?”
Ilis grinned over her shoulder at us and waved her hand. I jolted as the mists parted, revealing a huge house on stilts.
From the way Kyla stiffened, I was guessing even her natural wolfy power hadn’t allowed her to see through that glamor. Her eyes lightened in annoyance, but we followed Ilis up the wooden stairs.
Ilis opened the door, revealing a cozy kitchen. Semi-sheer kitchen curtains framed the closest window, the warm breeze making the butterflies printed on them appear like they were taking flight. The counters were mint green, standing out against the black and white checkered floor.
Ilis gestured to the bright red table in the center of the room and strode toward her gray fridge. We sat down as a small white cat strode into the room, hissing at Kyla.
Lia loved everyone as long as they fed and pet her. I’d forgotten most animals weren’t exactly fans of werewolves.
Watching that cat wind around Ilis’s legs made me long for a peaceful morning, making breakfast with Samael, Lia silently ordering us to add to her already emptied food bowl. We hadn’t had enough normalcy, my demon and I.
Ilis pulled out a large container, poured something into a pot, and set it on the stove, stirring occasionally. Within minutes, a rich, spicy scent filled the room and my stomach rumbled.
