Vexen's hand clenched around mine and his tight lips softened for a second. But then his gaze shifted over my shoulder, and his expression tightened up again. Vex let go of me. It felt as if he did it in more than the physical way.
“Later,” he said and left.
“Fuck,” I growled and spun around to see what had made him leave.
The men suddenly had other places to look.
“Did you scare him?” I demanded.
Xae made a scoffing sound. “He's a wraith lord. It would take more than a few glares from us to scare him.”
“So you glared at him.” I set my hands on my hips.
“We conveyed that this wasn't the time for a conversation,” Rath said pointedly. Then, instead of arguing with me, he faded.
“Son of a bitch,” I muttered.
Xae shrugged his wide shoulders and followed Rath.
I looked at Kel. He grinned at me and faded. I turned to Taroc. He was already gone.
“Son of a bitch!” I faded after them, the sound of Fire laughing following me.
Chapter Eighteen
“Ember!” Ranor said in his booming, Tytra voice. “To me! Now!”
“Yes, sir, General sir!” I ran out of the arrival chamber and over to where the General waited with my lovers.
“Perfect timing.” Ranor slapped me on the shoulder as we headed into the vast, stone space where the Wraith Lords ate their meals.
It seemed bigger now that the people of Fress were gone. Especially the children. I'd gotten used to hearing their laughter and little voices. The weapons on the walls were more intimidating without them too. Something about a bunch of kids running around lightened the mood of any room.
I glanced around and saw Vex sitting with the other Tiger Ladrin—his little club. He nodded at me. I nodded back, not sure what that meant. He'd come to speak with me. That had to be a good sign.
“Is everyone here?” General Ranor looked around. “Good. We've had a new development.”
“Who's Ember talking to now?” someone shouted.
A bunch of lords laughed. But then they saw my face.
“Shit,” someone said. “Is it Death?”
“No,” Ranor answered for me. “The Elements have come to Ember and offered to assist him. It appears that they each have a consciousness that speaks on behalf of the magic.”
The room was silent for a few seconds and then some of the lords laughed.
“This is not a joke,” Ranor said. “I've spoken with them myself. They've explained a few things to us. Such as why our ward keeps out Death but not them.”
“Holy fuck,” Lord Jathalion stood up, his wings spreading. “Are you serious? The Elements have sentience? They're here?”
“Yes, bird boy, we're here,” Fire drawled.
Jath jerked back, wings fluttering, while all around the room the other lords had similar reactions. All but my lovers, Vex, and Ranor.
“Fire, please,” Air said. “This is our introduction to the lords. Be nice.”
“I am being nice. I could have called him feathers-for-brains.”
