Quiet Burn (Discordia University #2)

We Like To Party

Xerxes

I ’m projecting more confidence than I truly feel right now, but it’s needed. Not coming to the surface much leaves every one of us but KK at a disadvantage, and she’s got enough shit to hide without worrying about keeping the rest of us balanced in this atmosphere. Annie and I need to handle the peopling—me more than him if possible—so the rest of them don’t give away our weak points.

Yeah, I’m not real sure it’s going to work, either, but if it goes to shit, we ’ ll pivot.

Walking into the portal with my head high and my lover at my side, I look around the open space of a garden. It has paths heading in multiple directions, the scents of which give me a clue as to what might be down them. I look over at Kat, motioning for her to come closer so I can ask, “Where do you think we should go? I can smell different things and I want to see if you can suss it out, too.”

“For fuck’s sake, X, this is going to take?—”

Salem glares at the prince. “Shut up, Jasper. They’re trying to let Kit Kat get his legs under him. You know we need to do that in live situations, man.”

“That one,” Kat says as she scrunches up her face. “It smells like wet dogs, so I’m thinking maybe shifters?”

“Excellent, little demon.”

I nod at Slash, my eyes shining with pride. “Yep. Probably not just dogs, but if there’s a large pack it will overwhelm some other types of shifters. Doggies are super easy to catch the smell of.”

Kat beams happily, grabbing my hand. “Okay, I think that one just beyond it smells like spices and incense… witches, maybe? Or um.. could there be genies here?”

Jasper snorts, shaking his head. “Djinn are as rare as hen’s teeth and there will never be enough of them in one spot to wipe out their kind. Witches and mages are likely correct.”

Well, that was nicer than normal, so maybe he’s going to behave.

“Oh. That’s good to know. I didn’t read any stats or anything in my books.” Kat tilts her head to the next path, sniffing a bit. “Um, that one might be Fae. I smell like weird florals and candy and sugary scents, plus… wine, maybe?”

“That sounds about right,” Annie grins as he pats her head. “Those fuckers will have an entire Faerie garden created for their people. Since this seems to be divided by territories, I suppose that we’re going to see some lavish set-ups.”

Kat bites her lower lip as she focuses on the path right in front of us. “This one smells like the ocean. Aquatic shifters and magic, I’d guess?”

“Ugh, let’s stay the fuck away from that,” Zavida says as he shakes his head. “Outside of Slash, I’m not fond of those with water elemental powers.”

I roll my eyes, sighing heavily. Everyone has their own dislikes, but we really should wander through some of the other territories before whatever huge meeting these people are having gets called. The Gemini section is the last place we should visit just in case Jasper has to call in a fast escape. “Good job, Kit Kat. I think we’re going to go to the Fae area first because while they’re tricky as fuck, they gossip better than anyone else.”

Slash grunts, his lip curling. “I am not fond of the Fair folks. Perhaps you and Anton will lead while Salem and I guard the little demon.” He looks down at Kat with a stern expression. “Analyze every word they say and do not answer questions without considering every angle. They will be as eager to work out bargains as demons are, but much less straightforward.”

“I will do my best, but…” Kat’s eyes shine for a moment as she rubs her hands together. “I cannot wait to meet real fairies. I mean, it’s such a thing right now up here and none of the humans get that they’re real, but I get to meet them!”

Fuck. For someone not that impressed by demons, I’m a little concerned about her fangirling over the Fae.

As we approach the wrought iron gates covered in Fae flora, I shoot a look at Anton. He nods, his magic stretching out to test the plants for safety. Once he gives me a thumbs-up, I pull them open to reveal a small podium like a ma?tre-d stand in a restaurant. It looks empty until we get close, then magic sparkles in the air, and a gruesome looking male with a bloody hat and scraggly beard appears.

“Who dares to enter the realm of the Fae on this wretched plane?” The creature points clawed, gnarly fingers at us, his rheumy eyes watching my caliphate as if we’re a ticking bomb on his doorstep.

The collective grumbles of the entire group are quiet, but not as contained as I would have liked. I turn to give them all a dirty look, then back to the weird ass fairy. Forcing a bright smile, I cover up the revulsion to his blood-soaked headwear as I reply. “Good evening, guardian of Faerie on the surface. My name is Xerxes, and I am part of the royal caliphate of Prince Jasper Eversore of Hell. We wish to visit your lands and see the fabulous powers of your people.”

His grizzled face creases as he snaps his fingers and a large, ancient looking book appears. “None may enter without stating their name and a boon. The courts of Faerie will split the boons and remain in balance as they have been for many millennia. You must write in the book before you may visit, young royals of Hell, or you will not enter.”

Of course these assholes want a goddamn secret in exchange for entry—they’re such covetous fuckers.

“I am the Prince of Hell,” Jasper fumes as he stomps up next to me. “Our kingdoms have mutual?—”

Holding up my hand as I notice the gross dude’s hat getting redder, I clear my throat. “What the Prince means to say is that we will honor the treaties between our realms by following your traditions. We simply need a moment to consider our boons, as we did not have them prepared.”

“Hurry up, then. And keep the dragon on a leash lest he offend a guardian of the lands.”

I turn back to my caliphate, my expression begging them not to make a big thing of this shit. Gesturing for them to move back a bit from the stand, I wait until we’re all huddled closed before I murmur, “This is a test. You will have to offer something important, but small, in exchange for entry. The Fae are extremely concerned with balance and allowing us to come in and enjoy their spoils without paying a toll is an offensive thought. Just do what we have to so we can do what we came to, guys.”

Kat frowns for a moment, then nods. “Okay. I don’t like it, but somehow, that explanation helps me understand why we’re playing along.”

“Holy fuck,” Oriel says with a smirk. “Well, if KK gets it and isn’t fighting, I guess I’m in.”

The rest of the group agrees, even Jasper, though the Prince is obviously unhappy about it. Sighing in relief, I walk back to the stand and hold my hand out for the quill. “I will go first… uh, I didn’t catch your name.”

“Delamar the Deceiver.” The crusty Fae grunts as I write my name and the small truth required, waving his long fingers over it like he’s checking the veracity. “You pass, Xerxes of Lust. Stand to the side while I work my way through your companions.”

I’m not fond of anything I can’t identify, and even less excited about a creature whose name is followed by ‘the deceiver’, but we don’t have a choice. If we want to get info from the chattiest supes in town, we need to get through this stupid test. “Go on, Annie.”

Anton moves up to write his information, getting waved aside quickly for Kat to approach. I hold my breath as the bloody headed gatekeeper eyes her, but he doesn’t say anything other than ‘pass’ before he points her towards us. After a few minutes, all of our group have been waved over except Jasper, who is very slowly filling in his name. I think he’s doing it slowly to piss the thing off, and I’d like to kick him in the shin.

Fucking with the persoon who can kick you out on your ass isn’t a good plan, if you really want to get inside.

“Prince Jasper of Hell… your boon has been accepted, even if you were not entirely truthful.” The creature gives us a gap-toothed grin as he points at the Prince. “Delamar believes you are lying to yourself as well, so he will allow this one exception. Go forth into Faerie and do no harm, demons.”

Breathing a huge sigh of relief, I lead the group to the wooden door Delamar had disguised until we all passed his test. Opening it, I walk inside to a lush, beautiful Fae meadow filled with floral scents, the sound of rushing water, and soft grass under our shoes. The sky inside this realm is light purple and there’s a pink moon high in the starry sky as we clamber inside. Squinting, I look around until I see an ornate tent city in the middle of the meadow. It has four large corners, and I assume those are probably the reps from each court. All the other installations are smaller and more likely their vendors, food and drink purveyors, and other places where we can find what we want.

That is, if we can get to them without being paged to the royal tents.

“This is gorgeous,” Kat says, the awe in her voice apparent. “Is this what their realm looks like? Cuz you guys got screwed, man.”

Jasper snorts, shaking his head as he looks around. “This is being controlled by the Daybreak Court at the moment. Each court has their own look and feel based on their affinities, and the spring-like evening is probably the work of their aestheticians.”

“At least they’re Seelie,” Oriel mutters. “I’m sure the feel of this place would be much less welcoming if Midnight or Reaping was in charge right now.”

Kat slaps her hand on her face, scraping it down her features as she groans. “Fuck, there’s so damn much to learn. Salem, promise me you guys aren’t going to let me hang out in the dark with all this shit. I really wanted to see this, but I… um, I haven’t really studied them yet.”

“We will not let you look silly, little demon. Fear not.”

I smile when Slash’s words get a nod of appreciation. “Okay. With that out of the way, are we ready to face the pointy-eared fruitcakes?”

The two assigned to keep Kat safe flank her again, giving me a look that says they’re ready. I wait for Jasper to nod as well, then Annie and I trudge across the colorful meadow filled with weird plants and flowers towards the tents. Odd little creatures zip through the air and across the blue-ish grass making KK gasp softly here and there. By the time we get to the populated zone, the sound of lively music, cooked food, and other delights wafts through the air temptingly.

“Remember, you can’t eat things we haven’t checked,” Anton says to the group. “And definitely do not drink things, or inhale?—”

“Just be fucking careful, right?” Zavida says as his tails pop out and flick behind him. “Let you and Anton check everything, even things we want to touch.”

“Exactly,” I reply as I let the carefully curated human visage drop amongst our fellow supernaturals in this weird traveling village. “We don’t want anyone sick or dead or… chained to something they don’t want to be.”

“Chained to— Mother, fucker, X,” Kat mutters as she grabs onto Slash’s big arm. “Keep an eye on my hands, both of you. Curiosity is not going to kill this Kit Kat.”

I grin, winking at her. I’d love to know what the secret she wrote in the book was, but it seems like a ‘later’ question. “Probably for the best, KK. Now, let’s roam this place and see if we can find some gossip.”

And hopefully, not any trouble before we get to our own territory at this damn event.