Revealed in Fire (Demon Days & Vampire Nights #9)(43)

The day had been unpardonably dull so far, and given we were sliding into early evening, it didn’t seem like it would get much better. The soggy toast soaked in what tasted like sugar and honey and spices for breakfast had been decent, but the egg-like things served with them had been a little gross. I couldn’t put my finger on why, though. Maybe because it was an unidentified type of animal, and I tended to like knowing what was going into my mouth. What if they’d stolen those bad boys, and now we’d have a pissed-off magical creature after us? It would be a good hazing situation.

Wandering around, looking for more of Penny’s rocks, had only been fun because she tromped into people’s yards and they pretended not to notice. That was a green light for me to peer into their windows to see how far they’d go before saying anything. Turned out, it was really far. Sometimes they didn’t even glance over in annoyance. Didn’t even flick their eyes my way! It was a lesson in self-restraint that had me really admiring these people. I never could’ve pulled it off.

The cucumber-like sandwiches for lunch were gross. I didn’t know what they were attempting with those, but whatever it was, it had failed. I ate them, because I was hungry, but told Darius in no uncertain terms that he’d better start cooking or we’d have a problem. I didn’t know how he was going to manage without an oven, but I had faith he’d figure something out.

Now, early evening, kind of dreading dinner, Penny, Emery, Darius, and I had been wandering around aimlessly, but we were running out of things to do. Per Charity’s request, we were giving her people time to sort themselves out. But man, this place boasted some horrible hobbies to pass the time. I didn’t want to do any of them. Painting? I suck at it, thanks. Cross-stitch? Why bother? Table making? Good Lord, where is the alcohol…

Callie and Dizzy, tired from the traveling, were taking time to lounge. If only I was tired enough to do the same thing.

“What’s this…like a fighting thing?” I asked, at the edge of a large expanse of spongy grass filled with organized groups moving in a dance-like way. One guy flipped over a woman and then landed on his back. She swung her wooden sword down and stopped at his neck.

“What was your first clue?” Emery said with a smirk.

But it didn’t look like any kind of fighting I’d ever known. They were almost civil with each other, stopping the moment it might get dirty, swinging their silly practice swords and ignoring their other body parts, like elbows, feet, or foreheads. What a waste of time. When, in the real world, weren’t things dirty?

It took me a moment to spot the shifters out there, because they were all in human form, Roger’s muscular body standing out among the lithe, graceful forms of the fae flitting around him.

I spotted Devon next, his bare back shining in the faux-sunlight, his movements nearly as quick as Roger’s. He’d be a serious alpha one day. I hoped he headed up to some other country, though. He seemed much too stuffy.

Even Cole had taken to the fields in human form, and that guy liked to show off his yeti.

“How dumb.” I started forward because…well, why not?

“Hey, pretty lady, fancy a fuck?”

Aaaaand my trajectory was altered immediately.

Steve lay within the shade of some big tree that I was sure had a long name, utterly relaxed with his dong hanging down. He caught sight of Darius trailing us, taking everything in.

“What’s up, bud?” I crouched down near his head.

“Oh, pity, you have that neck sucker with you.”

“He doesn’t just suck necks, if you know what I mean.” I waggled my eyebrows at him. “You’re all battled out?”

“Didn’t bother. I got plenty to do in this place.”

“Oh yeah? Is it hanging your dick in people’s windows and seeing if they’ll notice? If I had one, I’d absolutely try that. I bet they wouldn’t even look.”

“The women would. All the little fae come running when this big lion shows up in town.”

“And yet…” I looked around us. “You are alone. That bad in bed, huh?”

His smile was lazy. “Just taking a break. Also, I think they are getting ready to put the First on trial. The fae are all distracted by that.”

Darius stilled, looking down at Steve for the first time. “Emery,” he said, “can you hide me from view in this place? I’ve never heard that fae can sense spells.”

“No, they can’t. Yeah, sure.”

“Fantastic. I intend to witness it, though it might be wise to ascertain when it will be held and scope out the location beforehand.”

“Should you do that, though?” Penny asked in a small voice. “What if they catch you listening in on private matters? They aren’t really cool with strangers.”

“Understatement,” Steve murmured.

“Reagan,” Darius said. “Can you distract the village so no one is bored enough to look for me?”

Steve started laughing. “Livin’ the dream, huh, Reagan? Causing mayhem.”

He had that right. Another green light to act against social norms? Yes, please. “Yup.”

“Don’t get us kicked out,” Penny said, grabbing Emery’s arm. “We can’t afford to be kicked out. We need their protection.”

“We have Lucifer’s heir.” Emery wrapped a comforting arm around her. I rolled my eyes on reflex. “They won’t kick us anywhere.”