She reaches her hand out to introduce herself when we hear Jess coming around the corner. “Ronin, I packed your…Wow.” Her mouth falls open when she spots Graven, and it’s the first time I’ve ever seen her speechless. Frankie elbows her lightly, muttering something under her breath.
Jess blinks, finally finding her voice. “Um, hi,” she says.
He glances at her, unimpressed. “Careful, human. I bite.”
She grins like that’s some sort of invitation. “Well, I do too.”
I’m a little surprised when I catch Graven fighting back a smile. He usually doesn't have any patience for humans. “Then it’s a good thing we’re not staying long.”
“What do you mean? I thought you needed to rest before you could trace to another realm so soon.” I almost laugh at the disappointment on her face. She should be thanking her lucky stars Graven isn’t focusing his attention on her.
Macen responds to the whole group. “We’ve got business with the Coven.”
“What the hell do you have going on with the Coven?” Ronin chimes in. It’s been centuries since the witches worked with us. They’re not exactly trusting creatures, especially when it comes to demons.
“Coven? Like, as in, witches?” Frankie asks, forever the skeptic. She knows demons and shifters exist; you would think witches would be an easier pill to swallow.
I smile at her, nodding my head and turning back to Macen. “Do you need our help with anything?”
Graven smirks. “Nah, I have a way in,” he says with a cocky grin, his confidence palpable. “Let’s just say I had aclose encounterwith one of them a while back.”
“How close?” I don’t try to hide my skepticism. There’s no way they’d trust a demon.
“Close enough to getthis.” He lifts the bottom of his tunic, revealing a pink shiny scar. He must’ve been stabbed recently.
Ronin tilts his head to get a better look. “Damn, you sure you have a way in? Looks to me they don’t exactly want you there.”
“Nah, it’s just a love-stab. The lovely little temptress cast a spell so the scar would never fade, making sure I never forget her.” He smiles. “Trust me, she won’t turn me down.”
CHAPTER 10
Zarreth
“Are you sure Jess is fine with Graven?” A subtle crease forms between her eyebrows and I can almost bet she’s worrying her bottom lip underneath her balaclava. “He seemed kind of annoyed by her this morning.”
Jess’ endless attempts to get Graven’s attention were futile, but of course it didn’t stop her. I can’t imagine how bad it’s going to get now that we’re in the Dark Realm. “As long as she doesn’t go for his horns, she’ll be fine.”
She stops in her tracks. “Horns?”
“Yeah. The Traveler’s Mark hides demon traits in the Mortal Realm.”
“Oh God! She’s going to be unbearable now.” She continues walking.
I hold my arms out, ready to catch her as we edge along the narrow path, lava churning on either side. The falling ash makes it difficult to see the ground, but we only have a few steps to go and we’ll be across the bridge.
Once the ground becomes a little more solid, I step beside her and tug on her braid. She’s been fidgeting with her sleeve, and I know it’s notbecause of Graven. “Okay, tell me what’s going through that head of yours?”
“I know it’s dumb to keep worrying about this, but what if she doesn’t like me?”
“Who, my mother? She’ll love you!” I knew she’d be worried about returning to the Dark Realm. That’s why I had Ronin and Macen drop us off outside Fairhaven. I wanted to give her time to adjust before being bombarded by the village folks.
But, if I’m being honest, I need the time as well. It’s a little emotional. Twenty years isn’t long to be away, but a part of me thought I would never see my home again.
She glances at me like I’ve said something ridiculous and keeps walking. Roots knot across the path, but she hardly notices them as we enter the Deadwoods. Blackened stumps and twisted branches close in around us. “I can’t imagine she’ll be overly happy her only child is mated tothe Realm Eater.”
“One, watch where you’re walking.” I pull her close to my side as a low branch scrapes past her shoulder. “Two, the Realm Eater is made up and has nothing to do with the prophecy, or you. And three, she’ll fall in love with you the moment you open that mouth of yours, just like I did.”
A blur moves through the haze ahead, and I instinctively shove Frankie behind me. But she’s faster than I give her credit for. Her blades hit first, sinking into the creature's chest before I can rip its head off. She steps past me, plants her boots on its torso, and yanks the knives free.
