Dark Promise by Annika West

21

Blood pounded in my ears.

The huge mountain man began to turn.

The portal crystal — that motherfucker, ignited with blue, ethereal light.

Well, shit. Looks like I’m stuck.

I lunged out of the pool as the mountain man released a scary-looking potion that seemed to slice through time itself, warping the air around it.

In an even, soft voice, he said, “You shouldn’t have come here, intruder.”

The potion had torn through some of the stone lining the fountain. I snatched up a shard and stabbed it into the man’s shoulder.

He bellowed, his calm tone completely abandoned. “What was that for?”

I danced back and tried to turn invisible again. I went Unnoticeable, which was good. That meant whatever had been blocking my magic was slowly wearing off.

But the guard looked… generally upset. He clutched his shoulder. Tears leaked down his cheek from beneath the mask, and a choked gasp rang against the metal.

I snapped back into full view, even though he wasn’t giving any indication he was about to attack again. “Uh…” I began, eloquent as ever. “Are you ok, dude?”

“No,” he sobbed, turning his face away from me.

Like he was embarrassed.

I adjusted my clothing, despite the fact that the catsuit left nothing to adjust. “Sorry for uh… stabbing you? Do you need a towel or something?”

He didn’t reply.

Well, shit. I didn’t mean to ruin anyone’s day.

“You know,” I added spitefully. “You could have not thrown a destructive, deadly potion at me.”

“I thought you were trying to destroy the temple. How was I to know you’d come with an offering?”

“It’s not a—yes! Offering to the temple. That’s what I’m here for. We will absolutely go with that story. But listen, I feel like a jerk. It was a total misunderstanding, and to be honest, this is my first day with a new boss, and it’s been really stressful. Then, my ex shows up and leashes me, of all things, and I do have a problem with stabbing before asking questions. It’s a personal fault that’s been plaguing my every problem-solving skill I’m supposed to have.”

A boom shuddered the walls of the temple. Even the waterfall vibrated with the impact. Dragon roars echoed from far away.

The man turned to me. “I take it that’s the ex?”

“Yeah,” I sighed. “Listen, I’m really sorry about the stab. But I should probably go outside and stop him before he burns down the island. He’s got a record.”

“Fine,” he said miserably.

My shifting power returned to me completely. Thankfully.

The cord was still wrapped around my wrist, but this time, it was something I could use to my advantage. If Hux could use it to find me, then I would use it to find him.

It went through the wall, so I shut my eyes and did the thing I hated most.

I went through something solid that I wasn’t familiar with.

The last time I did this, I got stuck in the muddy parts beneath a pond and had no idea which way to float myself to return to the surface. It was terrifying shit.

Now, I was going through the mountain. But I had Hux’s golden cord to guide me.

To my complete surprise, it worked.

Speeding through the forest was simple now that I was following something. And I had an idea that once I found Hux, I’d find Willow and Oz.

I emerged on the beach to find Oz holding Willow by her hair. She was unconscious.

Hux stood before them several yards away, fuming.

The mess of their thoughts came crashing into me at once, too fast and confusing to unscramble.

Immediately, the thoughts disappeared like a signal getting cut off, and both men turned to stare at the spot where I stood.

I shifted into full view again, arms crossed. “Did you kill my vampire friend, Ozais Cayne? Do I need to murder you back really hard tonight?”

Ozais grinned at Hux. “I can see why you like her, Huxley. She’s exceptional in bed too. Mind you, she thought I was you —”

“No, she didn’t,” Hux cut him off. “She probably realized immediately and did something incredibly awkward to express her suspicion.”

“Huh!” I exclaimed. “So, the dragon knows me a little. You’re not exactly wrong.”

Oz didn’t seem to care, though. He shook Willow to emphasize his point. “Unless you let me and Aster go, Huxley, this one will die. I know she’s not your plaything like Aster is, but I imagine it will hurt to some degree.”

I snapped, “I’m not going with you if you kill or threaten Willow.”

Oz replied smoothly, “Then this ultimatum is for the both of you. Do as I say, or the vampire dies for good.”

“I am going to kill the both of you,” I growled.

“This ends tonight,” Hux told his brother, perpetually ignoring me. “And you are coming to Los Angeles with me to explain. Everything.”

“Sorry, I made plans! Totally not my fault, but I’ll hit you up next time you’re in town,” Oz said, all innocence. “Aster, babe, let’s get out of here.”

“Both of you,” I repeated to myself. “I will murder both of you in icy-cold blood.”

In the sand between the three of us, the air began to glow.

Oz’s smile grew. “I guess I’ll be taking the vampire with me.”

He charged the portal.

I did the same.

In my periphery, a dark shape swept toward us.

Hands tore at my skin as I fell through the void. Darkness swallowed me, crushed me, stole the air from my lungs.

Faery came to me, face first.

My cheek landed in soft mud. I was fairly certain I was in a flower bed. There were definitely thorns in my leg.

I peeked up, and screamed.

A woman with literal feathers for hair was peering down at me with huge, white eyes. Just white. No other colors.

Her red lips were stark against that pale skin, and I watched them move as she said in a soft, girlish voice, “You certainly look like something I’d enjoy eating.”

“Just… add…” I stumbled over my words, and then ended with, “ranch.”

She flew backward. It was only when I blinked as stood up that I saw Adair holding her by the collar of her shirt.

He was smiling, but he wasn’t pleased at all. “Belial, meet Aster. My daughter, and someone you are utterly barred from licking, nibbling, eating, or consuming in any way.”

Belial, who didn’t appear too upset by the manhandling, retorted calmly, “She is her own woman, Lord Adair. She might enjoy some nibbling if I ask nicely.”

Adair held her while addressing me with a much kinder smile. “I assume the trip was a success?”

“Meh.” My hands waggled in the air for emphasis.

“Meh,” he repeated, as if hoping the word would reveal some inner knowledge. “Did you or did you not properly place the portal crystal and bring everyone back alive?”

“Yes!” I answered, twirling a shrub stem absently. “To all of that. Yup. Definitely a success.”

His eyes narrowed. “Then why the hesitation, might I ask?”

Another voice answered for me. “I believe she’s referring to me.”

I pointed. “He’s so good with the timing, isn’t he? Just drops in right when it’s convenient. Well, convenient for everyone but me, that is.”

Hux glared down. “And she is very good at keeping secrets, while blaming all others for having their own. Isn’t she?”

“Oh, my!” Adair exclaimed, examining Hux with relish. “The Spring Court just became much more exciting. Hasn’t it?”