House of Darken (Secret Keepers #1)(72)

As I remained standing at the edge of the raised platform, minding my own business, people-watching, a few young, overexcited boys bumped into me. They looked to be about fourteen, but I had no idea what their actual age was because of that metamorphosis aging they did here. I let out an oomph as they knocked me into the side of the platform, which was definitely not made from anything soft or cloud-like.

Pulling back, I grabbed my aching ribs, freezing at what sounded like a burst of thunder.

Before I could look up, there was a harsh command from above. “Don’t move a damn muscle.”

Every single Daelighter around me froze. Tilting my head back, I found Lexen standing right above me, his eyes a blaze of white lights. In fact, the blackness seemed to have faded away to be replaced completely by starlight. Everyone in the vicinity – myself included – was completely mesmerized.

When he spoke next, it was not in English, so I couldn’t understand, but I definitely recognized the fear in the eyes of those around me. Especially the four teens who’d hit me.

Knowing it had been an accident, I straightened. “Lexen!” I demanded, hoping to break whatever tension was lacing the air.

Everyone gasped. Like a loud, dramatic hand slapped over their mouths kinda gasp.

Those blazing eyes locked on me and I had to force myself not to flinch. I reminded myself I had been through far worse than a pissed-off dragon lord, so I hurried on: “It was an accident. They’re just kids.” Kids who were probably twenty years older than me, but whatever. They looked like kids.

Some of the darkness flickered back into his eyes as he narrowed them on me. “They hurt you.”

He pointedly looked at where I was still holding my ribs. I released them, swinging my arms as casually as I could without wincing. “It. Was. An. Accident,” I repeated, getting a little annoyed now.

Cue another series of shocked gasps.

Jero and Marsil stepped up on either side of their brother. The overlord and his admirals. I had to admit it was an impressive sight. Scary. Intimidating. I was really feeling for the Daelighters around me. This was the Lexen from Starslight Prep, the enforcer, the one who everyone feared.

I’d never seen him that way though, so with almost no hesitation I turned and faced the small crowd, who were still frozen in place. “Go,” I murmured to the boys. “You’re not in trouble. I’ll keep them occupied.”

I winked at the closest boy to me, and he managed a shaky smile. “We are so sorry,” he choked out, his accent heavy. “Thank you.”

With a few final terrified glances at their overlord, they sprinted off into the crowd, and everyone else who had stopped to look did the same. I turned back to the Three Stooges.

“I have to join Father,” Lexen said to no one in particular, even though his eyes were still blazing and focused on me. “Keep an eye on her.”

“Her is standing right here,” I muttered under my breath as he turned away.

Marsil dropped off the stage, and before I could stop him he pressed a hand to my side. I gasped, even though his touch had been gentle. My breath was coming in and out roughly as I fought through the dizzying pain. Holy crap, why did bruised ribs hurt so much?

“You need to see a healer,” he said, lightening his touch even more. “We should go now.”

I shook my head, still panting. “No, you all need to be here, in case there is trouble. I’ll be fine. It’s just a bruise.”

He gave me a look that was far more like Lexen than his normally calm stare. “Okay, then, get up on the stage if it’s just a bruise.”

I sucked in deeply and straightened the best I could. “Okay … I will.”

I eyed the five-foot-tall structure, squaring my shoulders. I could deal with the pain long enough to not weaken the House of Darken by taking away some of their royal family at a time like this. Before I could do more than lift my arm, though, a loud voice boomed out. It sounded like it was amplified over a speaker.

I turned to see what was going on. All of the Daelighters appeared to be gathering before the front platform now – which held about two dozen beings. I was going to guess this was the council’s stage, judging by the fact that I could see members of all four houses on there.

A male and female appeared to be the spokes-Daelighters for the council. They switched between English and another language, making it hard for me to follow along.

“They’re talking about your guardians,” Jero said, startling me.

I swung my head around to stare right at him.

“Saying that someone has violated the treaty by luring them to Astoria … and then kidnapping them. That whoever is involved better release them now or there will be consequences.”

I swallowed roughly. “How do they know they’re here? And why do they care about humans so much?” I whispered back.

He shrugged. “It’s not that they care so much, it’s more that the treaty is important to them. Kidnapping humans … huge violation. They will do everything to make sure this is rectified.”

Every world was built on politics, apparently.

I listened harder now, wanting to know what information was being released to the public, but it was impossible to follow the mixed language.

“…the fate of both worlds rests on this treaty,” the male voice said.

“…forestima judicia letins warnt death,” came from the more feminine tones.