“As my lady wishes,” he said, in an admirably neutral voice.
I stalked forward as he murmured,“Though if she wished to dance, I would not object.”
I stiffened but didn’t turn, not wanting to dignify his ridiculousness with a reaction. After that, the Fae didn’t bother us, content to turn their attention to those there to celebrate.
We were only a third of the way through the gathering when several women stepped into the clearing, surveying the area with cunning eyes. They weren’t Fae—they lacked that sparkling aura and otherworldly beauty. They were human with only the slightest of glimmers around them.
“When you increased the wards, did you think to protect against witch magic as well?” I asked, watching as the gaggle approached.
There were at least five of them, their hair glossy and bouncy. They wore dresses that were short and more suited to a night in a club than a forest. Every one of them had smooth skin and seemed young. It was like watching a swarm of co-eds approach, only their eyes showed they weren’t quite the lambs they appeared. More like deadly tigers waiting in the brush to ambush their prey.
The curse Liam muttered was in a different language.“What are they doing here?”
“Looks like we weren’t the only ones the Fae invited tonight,” I said, watching the women greet one of the twins. Baran, I thought.
They giggled, twiddling their hair as they tittered. The look of superiority on Baran’s face said he was used to this behavior and tolerated it because he had nothing better to do.
“Sarah,” Thomas said, appearing by our sides. He looked almost stricken as he watched the group.
I looked the women over, not spotting the witches’ crone. It should have been easy, given all that nubile young flesh.
But then a woman looked over at us, her smile turning cruel as she caught sight of Thomas. She was obviously the ringleader of the group.
She wasn’t just beautiful in a gold-colored dress, her luxurious hair in soft waves around her face. She was stunning—the type of woman who could walk into a room and command the attention of everyone there. It wasn’t just appearance either, she possessed a charisma that made it hard to look away.
The structure of her face was familiar.I’d seen her before. I squinted at her, mentally adding wrinkles and age spots.
I wasn’t sure, but it could be Sarah, only a few centuries younger. Which was impossible, unless she had discovered the fountain of youth or had access to powerful magic. Maybe magic like the Fae were said to be capable of?
“I guess that answers the question of why they’re working with the Fae,” I murmured, looking over the other women.
I had a feeling Sarah wasn’t the only one who’d benefited from their little alliance.
“Sarah wouldn’t align herself with a dangerous ally like the Fae for such a superficial reason,” Thomas hissed.
I wasn’t convinced.“Are you sure about that? Because it sure seems like it to me.”
As we spoke, Sarah took Baran’s arm and let him lead her into the crowd as she sent a triumphant smile to Thomas.
Neither man responded, watching the women as they followed their crone. More than one gave us a sideways look, flicking their hair like they were a group of mean girls in truth. I was interested to note I was the target of several of those hostile looks.
“Just how bad was your breakup with that woman?” I asked.
A woman scorned was dangerous, but to hold onto a grudge for a few centuries? That was next level stuff.
Niamh glided out from the trees just then, wearing little to disguise what was underneath. The thin scrap of material she wore was nearly see-through, with the torches set up throughout the clearing highlighting her figure beneath, giving those present a glimpse of everything in the cookie jar. In the ballroom the other night she’d been beautiful. Here, surrounded by nature, she was otherworldly.
I could see why humans through the ages have been obsessed with her kind. It would be so easy to get caught in her trap, to think beauty equated with good and righteousness instead of a facade meant to trick and tempt.
It was Liam’s turn to become stiff and unyielding as she glided past. I couldn’t help a spurt of amusement at the entire situation.
I slapped him on the back.“Look, both your and Thomas’ old flames are here. Tonight should be super fun!”
There was a choked sound of amusement from Anton a few feet away. Neither Liam or Thomas seemed to appreciate my humor as they turned serious faces on me.
Thomas shook his head at Liam as if to say“you deal with her,” before moving away.
I gave Liam an innocent look.“Is it something I said?”
