“A civil war between giants,” Law explained. “Some large, some small.”
“Small giants,” So’la repeated. “Is that even possible? Aren’t giants by definition very large?”
“Turns out not so much, no,” Law replied.
“One of the little giants and a pixie are about to get married and create an alliance, but a lot of the big giants and some pixies don’t want it to happen,” Mal explained. “Actually, from what we can tell,mostof the big giants don’t want this to happen. There have been a couple attempts to stop the wedding already, including several murders and a massive brawl earlier today. We know an attack is about to happen. One of the virdanas as much as told Law so, and she didn’t seem at all worried about Law or LeeAnne stopping it. Oh, and a lot of the virdanas and little giants can shift into dragons.”
Law looked at Mal. “I’m going to have to connect more deeply with Effrayant. So will LeeAnne. It will take a little while. I’ll be quick as I can.”
She nodded as if she understood what he meant.
He looked at So’la. “Watch her back. I won’t be long.”
The demon smiled and licked his lips, his gaze running over Mal. “With pleasure.”
“Keep your hands to yourself, demon,” Law growled, then to Mal, “I’m fairly sure we have until the wedding before hell breaks loose. I’ll be back long before then.” With that, he bent and kissed her then strode away.
Mal watched him go then looked at So’la, who just stared her.
“What?”
“I’m waiting for that word salad to make sense,” he said.
Mal nodded. “I’ll explain, but first I need you to go to fetch the ghosts. They don’t have to go on duty for LeeAnne for a few hours yet, so they can help watch for trouble.”
“Is that an order?”
She glared. “Are we really starting that again?”
“One must keep up appearances.”
“One must shove his head up his ass is what one must do. If you don’t want to pop out and get the ghosts, say so. I’ll go find them. But it’ll be a lot faster if you do it.”
“I’ll go.” He grabbed a glass of something off a tray. It bubbled but it didn’t look anything like champagne. He tossed it back in one gulp, eyeing the small and large giants milling in the crowd.
He grinned and shook his head. “I have no idea what’s going on, but as always, Mallory Jade, you are entertaining.”
“I aim to please.”
“I am beginning to think bonding with you wasn’t as bad as I thought.”
“Yippee. I’m so happy for you. But don’t worry; you’ll change your mind soon enough. Now go fetch the ghosts.”
He gave a little wave and vanished.
Mal snaked her way through the pavilion, searching for Coorsel and Nayena. She saw no sign of them, or Hammet and Ilee. It wasn’t that late, she told herself. Guests were still arriving, and the wedding wasn’t scheduled for a couple of hours yet. They’d make their appearance soon enough.
All the same, foreboding itched at her. Something wasn’t right.
So’la returned, startling a triad of pixie females who had been at the nearby nectar fountain. They squealed in dismay and then fluttered closer, faces alight with curiosity.
Mal wondered what they saw. The real So’la, under the illusion of gorgeous human male, was a butt-ugly scary demon with substantial powers. He saw their interest and smiled at them. Talk about silent messages. That wicked smile, that seductive look. All three pixies answered his unspoken invitation by clustering around him. Apparently, they were just as horny as he was.
Mal rolled her eyes and stepped back, ignoring them as she looked for some sign of the ghosts. Edna sat in a chair in a small nook. Mal went to sit beside her.
“You look better than you did,” she said. “How do you feel?”
“Much better, thank you. So’la says that you need us?”
