Niki shook his head. “Historically, the only reason why there is a need to increase numbers of a species is to?—”
“Go to war.” It was perhaps a bit more dramatic than needed, but the sentiment was true enough. “Or at least challenge the status quo.”
Niki’s pale skin blanched further. “He can’t mean to go against Fairy. I don’t care how many warlocks are on the playing field. Fairy would decimate us.”
Tenzen had desired Fairy’s destruction and he’d found a creative way to approach the problem. His approach had also proven deadly and earned him an eternity of slumber. Did shadow borne dream? I had no idea, nor did I want to know. Not really. I’d like to think Tenzen was in store for an eternity of nightmarish failure. Most likely that wasn’t true. The only satisfaction I gleaned from his fate was that eventually, shadow borne, including Tenzen Huxley, would be forgotten—wiped from the collective memory. Was there anything more damning for a power-hungry being than that? To be utterly forgotten—not even relative enough to earn a scary campfire story.
“Perhaps his goals are not so lofty,” I openly mused.
Niki rested his forehead on my chest, muffling his voice. “What else could it be? Fairy is the ultimate power.”
“They are,” I agreed, while running my fingers through Niki’s hair. “Unless you consider djinn.”
Niki’s head jerked up. “You’re not saying?—”
“I’ve heard nothing that makes me think Danzig is after djinn.”
“Thank Gaia for that.” Niki exhaled, deflating in the process. “If I never hear the word djinn again, I’ll be?—”
“You are very critical of a species that saved your son.”
Niki jumped up, pushing me behind him as magic sparked around his fingers. All the fatigue that had been plaguing him vanished in an instant of protective fear. The voice was too masculine to be Aurelia, besides, I’d recognize that saucy djinn anywhere. Not that I didn’t recognize this one, but I wasn’t as familiar with him either.
“Helios, what are you doing here?” I’ll give Niki credit, his voice barely shook as he said those words.
Peeking over Niki’s shoulder, I got a good look at our newest guest. Helios was decked out in the same military style camo fatigues I’d last seen him in. At least half a dozen dog tags dangled around his neck. Tattoos covered every inch of visible skin, and his larger than average ears were pierced along the edge, numerous metal and jeweled pieces decorating their massive surface.
Hands on hips, Helios ignored Niki’s question in favor of gazing around Niki’s workspace. His deep blue eyes looked bored to tears. “This space is smaller than I imagined.” Helios walked toward a nearby shelf, fingering a piece of topaz. “This is not as interesting as I had hoped.” He set the topaz back down as he walked the perimeter.
“Helios.” That singular name ground through Niki’s throat like broken glass. “Is there a reason you are here, criticizing my home?”
I ran what I hoped was a soothing hand down Niki’s side. “Now, now, Niki. I don’t think the powerful djinn was criticizing…exactly.” Honestly, I had no idea what Helios was doing, and that piqued my curiosity. Poor Niki. He was about tonot only have a potentially dangerous djinn on his hands, but a troublesome kitsune as well.
“Your offspring is concerned,” Helios answered with absolutely zero inflection.
A new type of worry filled Niki’s eyes. “You’ve been around Erasmus? Why?” Niki wasn’t fond of his son’s penchant for welcoming creatures that could snuff out his life with little more than a thought into his home. I can’t say that I necessarily blamed him.
Helios waved Niki off while leaning over to examine an empty amber vial. “Unlike Aurelia, I have no interest in the necromancer.” Helios glanced over his shoulder, eyes narrowed. “I have warned Aurelia that her fascination isn’t healthy. She does not care to heed my advice.” Helios’s narrowed eyes eased into a look of confusion. “Aurelia says it is her choice.” Helios scoffed. “As if djinn truly have choices in life.”
Tired of being pushed to the sidelines, no matter how chivalrous it was, I dissipated and reformed on top of Niki’s workbench. Legs crossed and elbows planted on my knees, I ignored Niki’s grunt of either disapproval or concern. “So, did yourmasterorder you to come here?” I had no idea why Peaches would do such a thing.
The growl was immediate. “The pixie did not.”
“Then it looks to me like you made a choice, all on your own.” I’m not sure why I felt the need to needle the powerful djinn. Only that I did. Having poor impulse control was one of my Achilles’ heels.
Helios’s large eyes blinked as his head tilted to the side. He didn’t appear angered by my statement. Perhaps more confused than anything else. “The pixie is…different.”
I shrugged. “I don’t know Peaches well enough to comment, but so far, he hasn’t struck me as an individual who relishes the kind of power he’s been given.” I wouldn’t make a carteblanche statement about all pixies, but Peaches truly didn’t seem to be the type of pixie that wantedmore. Peaches was bonded to an apple orchard and was the Southeastern Vampire King’s beloved. He was a perfectly content pixie in every way, shape, and form.
“He is a fool,” Helios confidently stated.
“Perhaps. Or he’s a genius.”
Niki scoffed. “Or maybe he’s just a simple pixie who’s found contentment and wants the same for those around him.”
Helios remained silent, evidently finished discussing the topic of his latest master. Or, so I thought.
“It is strange, not being given a directive. It is exceedingly boring.” Helios leaned against a nearby counter, legs crossed at the ankles and hands fisted on the tabletop. “When I overheard the necromancer discussing Warlock Holland’s current…predicament with Aurelia, I thought that it might be of interest. It appears I was mistaken.” Helios sounded terribly disappointed by that notion.
