Wow. Janie hadn’t been expecting that one from their allies, and by the stiffening of Dage next to her, neither had he.
Kalin tapped bony fingers on the stone table. “The Kurjans demand all research regarding our biology and aversion to sunlight from every species in here, because we know you’ve been studying us. We also demand the return of any imprisoned Kurjans, as well as our turn taking possession of the Arias book.” He turned his odd green/purple gaze on Janie. “Finally, we demand access to the chosen one.”
Janie blinked. What didaccessmean? Her father moved closer to her, bringing the reassuring scent of pine.
Kalin didn’t move. “We want a dialogue and the right to conduct some noninvasive tests to see why Janet Kayrs has been prophesied by our oracles.”
Wasaccessa euphemism formating? It wasn’t a secret Kalin wanted to mate with Janie to gain access to her psychic abilities, but she had to appreciate his mild approach.
Janie blew out air. It had to be killing some of the immortals in the room to refrain from responding to the demands. Round two of the talks would certainly be more explosive. “The Prophesied One has her own demands,” she said.
Dage’s head jerked toward her, and her father growled low. She kept her face calm, not having realized until right that second she’d need to make her own statement. “The war ends, and all prisoners will be returned to their homes. No more bloodshed, no more biological weapons, and no more secret agendas—and the Prophecies of Arias comes home with me.”
The book flew up into the air, hovered, and zip-lined for her head. She put up both hands, and leather slapped into her palms. Her eyes widened, and her stomach clenched. How could a book fly? With great care, she set the book on the table.
A hush fell on the room, and even the fire’s crackle lulled.
The book pulled at Janie. Holding her breath, she flipped open the cover.
Dage sucked in breath. “Nobody has ever been able to touch the book with bare skin. Ever. Even the witches had to transport the book with heat-resistant gloves.”
Janie smiled, entranced. Pages rustled, opening to nearly the middle.
Blank pages.
“What do you see?” Dage asked.
Janie blinked. Slowly, symbols took shape and then words. She smiled. “Strengths. Weaknesses.” Of different species. The weakness of witches was listed as phenakite, also known as planekite and phanakite, depending on region. Maybe the information there could help her find a way to end the war. Reaching out, she began to turn the page.
“Enough!” Suri bellowed through the room. “Nobody reads the book until we reach an agreement.”
“Apparently nobody but Janie can read the book,” Dage said dryly. Even so, he nodded. “For now, close the prophecies.”
Janie faltered, fighting the drive to read more. To understand more. Maybe the weathered pages revealed her destiny. But as Suri began to rise from his desk, she closed the book.
The demon sat back down.
Janie swallowed and kept one palm on the rough leather. Somehow the object heated her hand.
“I believe it’s our turn for demands,” Suri said.
Janie turned her focus to the demons, her heart thumping upon meeting Zane’s gaze again.
He apparently hadn’t looked away.
Tingles spread through Janie’s abdomen, and heat rose from her chest. Even across the room, the man held a magnetic pull.
She met his determined gaze without flinching. Irritation filled his eyes. An odd tension had permeated the room from the moment the Kurjans had demanded access to her. Probably because to end the war, she’d grant it.
Yeah, she had known the moment would come when she must choose between her own happiness and the future of her people, but even so, unease skittered down her spine as Zane’s gaze sharpened and his jaw set. She stared at him across the fire; he was no longer the kind older protector or even the mischievous boy playing in her dreams.
He was all man.
And he wanted her to know it.
His full lips formed the word, “no,” his eyes hot and daring on hers. She gave a quick jerk of her head, and her own focus narrowed in anger. This was her choice to make.
Next to Zane, Suri puffed out his silver medals. “The demons demand the release of any demon in custody, all contracts on demon heads, especially mine, be rescinded, and sole possession of the eastern side of the current United States be granted to us. We also demand the return of the ancient Arias text, considering it was stolen from us in the first place.” He sat back, white hair gleaming in the firelight.
