Part 26 (1/2)

I stood a little straighter and kept all emotions from my voice. ”I want to talk to him. He said you can arrange it.”

Katia blinked and nodded. I had blindsided her by s.h.i.+fting from Lilith the friend to Lilith the Princess, just like Lady Nemea had taught me.

”Good. I will meet him at the east corner of the castle's back terrace.”

Katia nodded again. ”Okay.”

I smiled. ”Thanks.” I went to my closet to grab a cloak. When I reentered the bedroom, Katia was wringing her hands. ”What is it?”

”He said, uh, he'll be done in thirty minutes.” She winced. ”I tried telling him he can't turn down a meeting with you, but...” She shrugged. ”He can be so...stubborn.”

”Stubborn,” I said at the same time, and frowned. How did I know that? ”Tell him he has five minutes.” I watched her face as she telepathed Lord Gavyn. She didn't know how to hide her feelings. ”What did he say?”

She grimaced. ”Thirty minutes.”

He was being difficult. Well, he was about to meet his match. ”Do you know where he is?”

”At Lord Z's. I mean, Lord Zhane's. He owns a penthouse in the city and a club on West Coronis Beach.”

”Let's go.”

Katia blinked. ”Lilith-”

”If he won't come to me, Katia, I'm going to him.” I was getting answers about his brother tonight. ”You don't have to come. Just give Ruby the location.”

Katia's chin shot up. ”No, I'll come.”

She followed me outside. Jazreel and Lottius were arguing about something but stopped and looked up when we appeared.

”Guys, feel free to stay and keep ironing out our plans. If you need anything else from the kitchen, let them know.” I indicated the guards at the station at the other end of the room, then glanced over at Ruby and Callum. ”We're going to the city.”

Surprise flashed on their faces, but they didn't question me. Lottius, as usual, didn't accept anything without an explanation. ”What's going on?”

”It's private, Lottie,” I said firmly. ”Hold the fort until I come back.”

She nodded. Switching to princess mode had its perks. People responded without question. I adjusted the hood of my cloak, then something else occurred to me and I frowned at Ruby and Callum. ”Shouldn't you two be off duty by now?”

”We requested longer hours today,” Callum said.

After the development at the meeting, I kind of understood why. They'd probably wanted to eavesdrop on our discussion. ”Okay. Lead the way, Katia.”

Soft jazz music and a buzz of telepathic conversation greeted us when we appeared in a hallway. Strong psi energies pulsed in the air. When Katia had said a penthouse, she hadn't lied. Lord Zhane had an entire floor at the top of one of the buildings. Through a gla.s.s window, I could see the spectacular view of the castle and the city center where the three streets converged.

The tingle at the base of my spine started. I hadn't felt it since the morning I sparred with Sir Norath. I hadn't thought about it since Green Eyes had said it was my body protecting me.

Katia pointed at an arched doorway ahead. ”That way.”

We moved as a group, Katia beside me, Ruby and Callum taking the rear. We paused at the entrance and I tried not to gawk at the room.

A large three-dimensional mural of the beach at sunset covered two of the walls and continued onto the ceiling. I wasn't sure how he did it, but the clouds in the sky, or ceiling, actually drifted. The third wall had another mural of arches and a broad hallway, adding to the illusion of s.p.a.ce.

I ignored the burning on my back and focused on finding Lord Gavyn among the guests. Lights were dimmed, so it was impossible to recognize anyone at first, but going by their psi energy, they were powerful. Some lounged on the couches, while others stood in groups, sipping drinks and laughing at their telepathic conversations. Floating trays delivered flutes of champagne to the guests, who were obviously comfortable because they were in their true forms. I spied fangs, wayward tails, pointed ears, and animalistic heads. I recognized a few of my sister's friends from my party. Any second, I expected Solange to step into the room and reveal my ident.i.ty. I pulled the hood of the cape lower.

The burning at the base of my spine intensified. I reached back to rub it. Bad idea. Heat shot up my spine. I stepped back from the doorway before we were noticed, almost b.u.mping into my guards.

”Are you okay?” Katia asked, following me.

I shook my head. The surge of energy shot to my limbs. I looked at my hands and sighed. The writings were back. Why now? Would I release energy and hurt people?

Lil? Where are you?

Impeccable timing once again by Green Eyes. Please, let him be Bran. I couldn't afford to be in love with one guy while fantasizing about another. My hands were starting to glow. I hid them under the cloak. Despite the thick fabric, I could still see the light.

d.a.m.n it, Lil! Talk to me. What's wrong? I can feel your powers surging.

His radar must be tuned to mine. The familiar gentle brush of energy against mine didn't calm me down this time. Katia said something I didn't catch and I could feel the concern from Ruby and Callum, but none of that mattered. The power surging through me was threatening to consume me.

It's happening again, I said. Heat is shooting up and down my spine and my hands are glowing. I don't know how to stop it.

Where are you? His voice rose in panic.

Lord Zhane's.

He cursed. Why in Tartarus would you go to that man's home?

I need to talk to someone.

Not there, you don't. And definitely not tonight. Get out now.

Sometimes, his arrogance was annoying. I blocked him and wrapped the cloak tighter around me, crossed my hands, and hid them under my armpits. ”Let's go.”

We entered the room again and everyone turned to stare, the ones closest to us stepping back. The conversation died down as though someone had thrown a switch. Trays came cras.h.i.+ng down, frothy drinks spilling on the furniture and carpet. No one bowed or spoke. Instead, waves of fear and hatred hit me hard.

What was their problem? Hadn't I proven there was no need to fear me? I lowered the hood of my cloak and lifted my head. My glowing hands seemed to have a weird effect on them. There was ma.s.s teleporting, the people tripping and b.u.mping on each other as they appeared on the other side of the house. Sharp fangs and canines bared as some snarled; hair rose on the backs of the hairy Werenephils as their ears twitched and their tails jutted up. I knew enough about animals to recognize aggression. Ruby and Callum flanked me, pus.h.i.+ng Katia behind them.

Stop blocking me, dammit! Is your body glowing?

Yes.

I can't get in there, so we're doing this your way. Repeat after me. These are my people. They cannot hurt me.

Was he serious? These hate-filled people with claws unsheathed and fangs bared weren't the Hermonites I knew. What?

Just say it.

Weird request, but why not. These are my people. They cannot hurt me.

Again. Say it like you mean it and control your breathing.

These are my people... I repeated the words over and over again, inhaling deeply, holding my breath, then exhaling. The glow disappeared first, then the writings. The tingle at the base of my spine remained, but it was deep. My body was reacting to the hatred in the room. I noticed that no one bowed. I didn't particularly care.