I’ve already been to three realms, and Magnus told me a bit about the Fae Realm. How many more can there be?
The preface answers my question.
Long ago, the universe was divided into seven distinct realms. The Fae Realm was made for creatures with an affinity for the natural world. The Beast Realm was made for those with a feral nature who craved wildness and blood. The Angelic Realm was created for the ones who lived and ruled by light, the Shadow Realm for the broken, twisted souls that were too dangerous to carry on, the Mortal Realm for the pitifully weak mortals, and the Otherworld Realm for the powerful creatures who fit in no boxes. While it is unclear why the Underworld Realm was created, one can presume it was for creatures of darkness. All the realms were made separate, and they were unified by a ruling body composed of representatives from each space. These elected officiants were made into the first Council, and within them was one elected to rule.
While there are detailed historical records to support the founding of each realm, there are less reputable documents that whisper of an eighth. However, upon rigorous further research, this historianhas concluded that the eighth realm is nothing but legend and will not dive into the world of myths. I leave such accountings to writers of fiction.
The book pulls me in, and I spend the remainder of the afternoon getting lost in the pages, reading fantastical accounts that now make up my reality. I forget to eat, and at some point, a plate appears on a table next to me, heaping with sliced fruit, vegetables, crusty bread and cheese. I have no idea how it got there, but I snack away, thankful.
Hours later I look over only to notice a steaming cup of tea on the side table.
Now strongly suspicious that the house is somehow enchanted, I whisper a quick ‘thank you’ to the silent, empty room. An enchanted house would explain the unused kitchen and the laundry that magically appears clean and folded in my room.
I like that explanation better than the alternative that someone is sneaking up on me.
By the time dinner approaches, my body unconsciously tenses, knowing I might run into Sin again. But seeing as he never joined us for dinner last night, maybe I’ll be lucky again.
A girl can dream.
Chapter 9
Rule nine:Do not trauma dump on your enemies.
To my relief, Sin isn’t at dinner.
It’s just me, Rosie, Magnus and Damien, so naturally, we are having a great time. Tonight, Magnus and Damien are getting into it, and I can’t help but laugh at their antics.
“The black market is a dangerous place. You never know when there’s a new plan to overthrow realms. My intelligence gathering is critical to ensuring we know where loyalties lie,” Magnus says. He’s arguing with Damien, but he winks at me.
Damien scoffs. “Yeah, sure, gathering intel from a bunch of thieves is fun and all. But I’m on the front lines, spying on the Council itself. It’s very risky business. Real hero work,” he adds, wagging his eyebrows at me.
It’s nothing new. They both always manage to make our meals at least a bit flirtatious. It’s entertaining, andwhile I think they’re both very good-looking, I don’t feel the urge to rip off their clothes.
I’m both relieved and frustrated at that thought.
Relieved because clearly, I’m only into walking cesspools of toxicity, so it’s nice to know that Magnus and Damien are good people. But I’m also annoyed with my body. If I’m going to stay in this realm forever, maybe I would like to try sex again. But if the only men I’m attracted to are horrible, then I’m going to be staying reluctantly celibate.
Sad.
I rub my chest, shoving the frustration back down. At least Sin isn’t here to act as a living beacon of my atrocious taste in men.
But wouldn’t you know, it turns out that when you think of the Devil, sometimes he actually appears.
A voice calls out behind me, and I don’t bother to turn around to see who it is.
“You do realize you’re spilling secrets to a Council agent,” Sin says in lieu of a greeting.
His eyes are narrowed at me when he makes his way to the head of the table, which is inconveniently right beside me. I give him my sweetest smile before pointedly turning away from him and focusing on the pleasant people at the table.
I’m starting to think my prisoner energy is badass.
“Awe, Sin, don’t be like that. Red probably doesn’t even know the Council is evil. You don’t want to work for bad people, do you?” Damien asks as he gives me an expectant look.
He’s right. I don’t have any intention of working for the Council. But if Morgana turns out to be an evengreater danger to my realm… then I might need to make some difficult choices.
I chew on my lip, trying to figure out how to answer honestly and not make everyone at the table hate me. “I don’t have much of an agenda other than making sure my realm isn’t blown up.”
Magnus leans forward, drawing my attention. “She won’t tell on me, will you, darling? Wouldn’t you agree my head looks much betterattachedto my body?”
