Chapter 6
Nothing like finding out you might have allowed a magic-wielding shadow elf into your world, with a small army of demons, who wanted to kidnap you to rule the world.
I called bullshit.
“I think you’re wrong about this Gryvak wanting me. The demons at the house seemed pretty intent on killing me.”
“They intended to probably injure you severely enough you couldn’t use your powers. It’s hard to wield magic when you’re in extreme pain.”
“It wouldn’t have taken much,” Flo remarked. “You should hear the caterwauling when she gets a paper cut.”
“I’m not that bad,” I huffed indignantly.
“We have to numb your brows before we get them waxed.”
“Because it hurts,” I muttered.
“You’re a wuss when it comes to pain. Which is fine. You know I get dizzy at the sight of blood.”
“But not when it’s from a demon,” I reminded. “You battered that imp without flinching.”
“I did, didn’t I?” Flo beamed.
Ulseere rubbed his face. “I can’t listen to this. I’m going to scout the area. Cedric, ensure the witch doesn’t leave these tunnels. I’ll be back.” Without even trying, he sounded almost like Arnie. Did shadow elves have cinemas in their Infernal Dimension? They apparently lacked cars.
“Will Ulseere be okay by himself?” Not that I truly worried. The elf came better equipped than us to fight demons.
“Ulseere wouldn’t have achieved the rank of prince without proving his worth,” Beatrice noted.
“You mean his dad isn’t the king?” I’d assumed his royal title came the usual way, via nepotism.
Beatrice shook her head. “The princes are hand selected for their strength, both as fighters and because of their skill wielding the arcane.”
“He called the dude he’s chasing, Gryvak, a prince, too.”
“Not surprising. It would take someone with a certain amount of power to even attempt a run at the throne.”
“Take it by force?” I frowned. “Wouldn’t the citizens revolt?”
“No, for that is the way of the Infernal. Constant power struggles mark their existence.”
“Sounds unpleasant.” I wrinkled my nose.
“It’s not that much different here when you think about it.
Our politicians also engage in less-than-savory acts to advance themselves.
In some respects, their dealings can be dirtier, as they lie and gaslight people into believing their ill deeds are actually good.
Shadow elves don’t bother with subterfuge and simply attack. ”
“I thought this Infernal place had laws against murdering citizens.”
“There are, but that doesn’t stop the struggle between those looking to move classes. They believe if you can’t maintain your position, then you don’t deserve it.”
“What will happen to Ulseere if he returns without Gryvak?”
Beatrice laughed. “Nothing because failure isn’t an option. He must either apprehend or kill Gryvak. If he does neither, then he will remain in exile forever.”
“Fuck off. If he can’t find this other prince, he’d stay here instead of going home?”
“The stain on his honor would be much too great for someone of his stature to endure.”
Meaning Ulseere would do anything to succeed. Flo came to that same conclusion and whispered it aloud after we retired to the cabin Beatrice offered us. “Better be careful Ulseere doesn’t dangle you as bait.”
Would he truly use me as a lure? In a heartbeat. He’d made it clear he didn’t like me. “I’m sure he won’t even think twice about using me if he can’t find this Gryvak.” I grimaced. “Just my luck, two princes and the one who is supposedly good thinks I’m trash and the other is supposedly evil.”
“Says Ulseere. What happened to judging people by their character?”
“Pretty sure a guy who wants to bring over a demon army to take over the world would strongly indicate a lack of.”
“And again, Ulseere is the one claiming that’s his plan. What if he just wants to get home? What if Ulseere is the one being hunted?”
An interesting point. We did only have his word.
I yawned, which triggered one in Flo. “Damn, I’m exhausted You taking the top or bottom bunk?” The tiny cabin contained two very narrow options.
“Bottom, seeing as how I roll in my sleep.”
I thought of changing but had brought only cool chick clothes, no pajamas. Sleeping naked didn’t seem like a good idea, so I unbuttoned my pants, kicked off my boots, and crawled into the top bunk.
Despite the oddity of the location, and circumstances, I nodded off and slept hard. Dreamed too. Of Ulseere.
Only this version smiled at me as he held out his hand and drew me close for a dance.
We whirled and twirled, one of many couples on a fancy ballroom floor, with the women wearing dresses of all styles, mine being of a princess version that flared at the hips and spun in a whirl of fabric each time he spun me.
When Ulseere dipped me, causing me to gasp and laugh, he gave me the most devastating smile before he kissed me. A kiss that suddenly led to us being in a bedroom, and well, let’s just say, shadow elves knew their way around a woman’s body.
Wowzer.
Before I could truly bask in the aftermath of my dream orgasm, I woke, utterly disoriented—and disappointed.
No dark prince lay naked beside me, and gone was the comfy bed in a chamber fit for a princess.
I found myself in a cramped sleeper cabin still lying on the narrow and lumpy top bunk.
At least I’d slept enough to no longer feel half dead.
Headache and gritty eyes? Gone. But I did have to pee something fierce. I slipped on my boots and exited the cabin quietly, not wanting to wake Flo. The narrow hallway, containing a handful of other doors held no one.
A pop of my head into the area Beatrice had turned into a living room slash kitchen showed no sign of my hostess or my judgy cat. I wondered where they’d gone. My bladder didn’t care and insisted we had more pressing matters.
I hit the onboard lavatory and tried not to wonder too hard where my pee went when I flushed.
As I washed my hands, a glimpse of my appearance in the mirror above the sink twisted my lips.
The spray and gel I’d used to tame my curls had given up.
My hair frizzed in a wild halo, and I could practically hear Grams’ gravelly voice, Would you do something about that mess on her head?
Actually, no, I wouldn’t. This was my hair. Untamed and wild, kind of like me.
And untamed girls weren’t scared of trying new things like roasted rat, especially since their stomach grumbled something fierce.
Since I’d slept with my meager wad of cash in my pocket, I headed for the meat vendor at the beginning of the marketplace, an area much quieter than the night before.
Most stalls appeared closed for business, and I worried I’d have to starve until sundown.
Lucky me, the man with the shopping-cart barbecue already had his spit going.
“Excuse me, sir. How much for a skewer?”
Jim, if I remembered his name correctly, glanced at me and stared long enough I almost snapped, “Take a picture it will last longer.”
“You are Dame Miller’s granddaughter.”
A single brow lifted. “I am, but what makes you say that? And don’t you dare say I look like that shriveled hag.”
His lips twitched. “Same colored aura of magic.”
“You can see it?” I glanced at myself as if I suddenly could as well.
“A gift of mine. I can see beyond the flesh of living things. It helps me to choose only the finest of meat for serving.”
Okay, this I couldn’t keep quiet about. “You’re serving rat. How much difference between them can there be?”
“The succulence of the meat of course.”
Up close, the smell had me salivating. Those dripping, crispy-edged chunks really did look good and, if I’d not been told of the source, would have eaten it without question. Didn’t some countries openly use rat as a protein?
“I’ll take a skewer.” I dug into my pocket for some bills, only for Jim to shake his head. “No cost to Dame Miller’s heir.”
“Are you sure?”
“Very. I wouldn’t want her likely vengeful spirit to curse my food with rot.”
“You really did know her,” my wry reply.
“Everyone did. She left a lasting impression each time she visited.”
“That much of a bitch, eh?” I stated as I took the skewer he offered, the handle of it wrapped in a napkin.
He chuckled. “She never had a kind word to say and was quick to seek retribution against those she felt wronged her.”
“Sounds like Grams. She never liked me either,” I admitted, taking my first tentative bite and almost groaning. Okay, rat cooked right was damned good.
“Most likely because your aura shone brighter than hers. She would have been jealous you inherited more power.”
My brow lifted. “Me, with more magic? You must be wrong. She always claimed I was useless. A disappointment.”
“She was a fool, then. Some would have rejoiced to have an heir they could teach their craft to. I wish I’d been so blessed.”
I smiled at Jim. “Thank you. At least my mom thought I was great.”
“How’s the meat?” he asked as he noticed I’d finished the stick.
“Ridiculously good.” Hence why I ate the second one he offered, and then, on his advice, I went looking for the man with the buggy chocolate who would apparently be opening soon to cater to the late afternoon, getting-off-work office crowd.
As Lester opened his stall and promised me a fresh batch of bug chocolate within twenty minutes—because Dame Miller’s daughter could not eat yesterday’s leftovers—I noticed the market startling to bustle as normal-looking folks wearing business attire began browsing.
I’ll admit, it surprised to see the men in proper suits, the women in pencil skirts and lapel jackets, most toting briefcases and laptop bags.
One in particular stood out. A man who towered with golden blond hair, a jaw so square it could have been chiseled, and broad shoulders that stretched his jacket.
I wondered if the size came from muscle or chunk.