A group of scantily clad fae with red eyes screeched and wailed. They sprang forward, but the king’s guard held them at bay.
“Give her to us, my king,” cried the one with short, dark purple hair. Her glistening red eyes fixed on Lucenna as they attempted to claw their way to her. “We demand retribution for our sister.”
King Dagden raised a hand lazily, silencing them. “Bring forth the body, Gremly.”
The goblin guard replied, “We didn’t find a body, sire. Nothing left of her but bones and ash.”
The nightwalkers shrieked so loudly Zev winced.
“Ash?” King Dagden’s eyes widened as they fixed on Lucenna. He leaped to his feet and wildly searched the crowd, his forgotten crown tumbling down the steps. “Where is the Druid? Where is that conniving rat? Find him, Gremly. Drag him here by his ears if you have to.”
Gremly bowed and marched off with a handful of guards. Lucenna met Dyna’s startled gaze. What did the Druid have to do with this?
Queen Calixta tittered behind a hand. “Oh, I doubt you will find that one now.”
The king dropped onto his throne with a scowl. He glared at Lucenna and the others. “I should never have welcomed you here.”
“And what will you do with them, my great wise king?” his queen asked him with a pout. “A great transgression has been committed against your court.”
“I’m sure there is an explanation, sire,” Rawn said. “If you would allow her a moment to explain.”
“Speak, then.”
Lucenna raised her chin. “It was self-defense. The nightwalker attacked Zev, and I stopped her.”
Richël’s sisters hissed, baring their fangs.
The one with purple hair gave Zev a sharp smile. “We don’t feed without permission in the Moors. The male must have granted it.”
“You mean your sister rendered him an idiot with her seductions,” Lucenna snapped.
Zev frowned but didn’t argue. Lucenna would slap him this instant if he so much as agreed with them. She saved him, and now they were in this mess.
The queen leaned forward, her long nails clicking against the arms of her throne. “What shall we do with them, then? The sorceress defended her companion, but one of ours is dead. Shall we let her go, or shall we make her pay?”
“Pay!” the fae hooted as one.
The queen’s lips parted in a sharp smile, exposing her pointed teeth. “And will she pay with blood or boon?”
“Blood. Blood. Blood.” The wild chant beat against Lucenna like a drum.
The fae pressed forward, hunger and eagerness shining on their wild faces. Gone was the mystic haze and whimsical music. The fairy lights vanished, and the flowers no longer bloomed. Heady bloodlust permeated the air.
Essence roiled in Lucenna’s veins as her palms lit with power. Zev became a blur of fur, claws, and glistening teeth.
“Stay behind me,” Rawn said, bracing himself.
Dyna cupped her hands, and the center glowed green, the stream of Essence barely substantial.
“I’ll make an opening, and you run,” Lucenna told her. “Run and don’t look back.”
“No.” Dyna shook her head. “I’m not leaving you.”
A burst of wind and a flash of black whipped through the borough as something slammed into the ground, the vibration running up Lucenna’s legs.
Cassiel.
His large wings twisted, throwing back those who had gotten too close. His coat flared open with a flare of blinding white, and a tremendous heat pressed against her. The fae cried out, leaping back from the sword of divine flame. It blazed in their startled faces smeared with paint.
