CHAPTER 9
Zarreth
Ronin's eyes land on Frankie for a beat before giving me a nod, acknowledging what I left unsaid. The shifter scent isn’t the only one hanging in the woods. There’s another scent similar to one we’re both familiar with, only this one is more masculine…but that’s impossible.
I’ll think about that later. Right now we have to get the girls somewhere safe. “If there’s a shifter nearby, Dante can’t be too far, and we’re not in a position to deal with him yet. We should leave for the Dark Realm as soon as we can.”
Ronin turns, already preparing to leave. “It might take me a few days to find two demons with traveler’s marks, but if I leave now, I’ll be back in less than an hour.” It’s not very often the time warp works in our favor, but thank the Gods this is one of them.
Frankie pales as she nods her head. “Okay, yeah.”
Jess takes Frankie’s hand, squeezing it. “We packed earlier and the animals are with my parents. We'll be ready.” Her voice waivers, betraying her confidence, but for a couple of young humans, they’re tougher than they look.
“How are we supposed to entertain four demons until they’ve recovered enough to trace again?” Frankie asks, rummaging through the hallway closet for extra bedding.
“I can think of a few ways,” Jess calls over her shoulder as she walks into Nate’s room, smirking as she disappears inside.
Frankie scoffs, rolling her eyes. “She’s so ridiculous.”
I take the sheets from her hand and shove them back in the closet. “They live in a realm with no moon or sun, where the only thing lighting the sky are the constant fires burning through the land. They won’t need to be entertained.”
“You’re right.” She starts pacing the length of the living room. “I’m just so nervous.”
I never stopped to think that her only experience in the Dark Realm was a horrific one. It’s true, the realm is dangerous—with its hostile terrain and hardened creatures—but my horde’s village is different…civil.
“You have every right to be nervous, Melita,” I say, grabbing her arm to slow her down, “but I would never bring you to my village if I didn’t think it was safer than being here.”
“I know that. It’s just…” She buries her head in her hands, but it doesn’t hide her pink cheeks. “This is so dumb, but…I’m nervous to meet your mom.”
I stare at her. Out of everything we’re facing, meeting my mom is what makes her nervous? It’s almost funny, but it triggers a softness in me I didn’t expect.
I pull her hands away, leaning close. “You have no idea how easy you are to love. My mom will adore you.”
The front door swings open, breaking the moment. Ronin steps in first with two demons right behind him.
“Finally,” Frankie says, stepping forward to greet them.
Ronin grins. “Awe, you missed me already?”
She wrinkles her nose. “Hardly.”
The corner of my mouth twitches, but I ignore them and offer Macen my hand. “Thanks for helping us.”
“Any time,” he says, his grip firm, solid.
The demon beside him already looks bored.
His markings have grown since I last saw him, making him look like the tattooed humans Jess usually falls for.
The difference is, his aren’t for decoration.
They’re what’s left behind when he siphons or bleeds magic, a painful mark that never fades even when the power does.
“Graven, I’d like you to meet my mate, Frankie. ”
She reaches her hand out to introduce herself when we hear Jess coming around the corner. “Ronin, I packed your…Wow.” Her mouth falls open when she spots Graven, and it’s the first time I’ve ever seen her speechless. Frankie elbows her lightly, muttering something under her breath.
Jess blinks, finally finding her voice. “Um, hi,” she says.
He glances at her, unimpressed. “Careful, human. I bite.”
She grins like that’s some sort of invitation. “Well, I do too.”
I’m a little surprised when I catch Graven fighting back a smile. He usually doesn't have any patience for humans. “Then it’s a good thing we’re not staying long.”
“What do you mean? I thought you needed to rest before you could trace to another realm so soon.” I almost laugh at the disappointment on her face. She should be thanking her lucky stars Graven isn’t focusing his attention on her.
Macen responds to the whole group. “We’ve got business with the Coven.”
“What the hell do you have going on with the Coven?” Ronin chimes in. It’s been centuries since the witches worked with us. They’re not exactly trusting creatures, especially when it comes to demons.
“Coven? Like, as in, witches?” Frankie asks, forever the skeptic. She knows demons and shifters exist; you would think witches would be an easier pill to swallow.
I smile at her, nodding my head and turning back to Macen. “Do you need our help with anything?”
Graven smirks. “Nah, I have a way in,” he says with a cocky grin, his confidence palpable. “Let’s just say I had a close encounter with one of them a while back.”
“How close?” I don’t try to hide my skepticism. There’s no way they’d trust a demon.
“Close enough to get this.” He lifts the bottom of his tunic, revealing a pink shiny scar. He must’ve been stabbed recently.
Ronin tilts his head to get a better look. “Damn, you sure you have a way in? Looks to me they don’t exactly want you there.”
“Nah, it’s just a love-stab. The lovely little temptress cast a spell so the scar would never fade, making sure I never forget her.” He smiles. “Trust me, she won’t turn me down.”