CHAPTER 12
Frankie
Where’s Dino? I feel around, cracking my lids open when I don’t find him.
The layers of animal pelts beneath me are soft to my touch.
That’s right, I’m in Zarreth’s room. Pushing myself up, I wonder how Jess is doing.
Zarreth said she’ll sleep for a couple days because she’s human.
I know she’s safely tucked away at Graven’s.
Macen basically appointed him as her bodyguard, but I still worry.
A faint flicker of light moves along the curtain, and I wonder if Anatha is still making melitamelics.
I pass beneath the open section of the roof on my way to the main part of the house, hoping to see her using fire magic.
It feels strange how many buildings are left uncovered, but I guess it makes sense, considering it doesn’t rain here.
Anatha glances up from the table when I step around the corner, her palm hovering over a tray of sweets. A thin flicker of heat coils from her fingertips, crisping the edges to a golden brown. “How’d you sleep, dear?”
My stomach growls as the sweet, nutty scent hits me. “Good, thank you.”
She glances at my stomach and chuckles. “Perfect timing. Beleth brought over some soup while you were sleeping.” Her palm glows with magic as she holds it over the dish, heating it until steam rises.
“It smells amazing!” I lean closer as she slides it over to me, surprised to see the soup looks like…
well, soup. For some reason that is not what I was expecting to find in the Dark Realm.
I only get one bite in and moan before I can stop myself.
My cheeks heat and I slap a hand over my mouth.
“Sorry, I guess I was hungrier than I realized. I’ll have to thank Ronin’s mom for such a delicious meal. ”
Her amber eyes snap to mine, a serious look on her face. “Oh honey, I would never give you anything Beleth made. She is a terrible cook. No, her mate does all the cooking and preserves meals for Lucy while he’s gone.”
I laugh, a genuine laugh too. “I guess Beleth and I have that in common.”
She pats my arm. “Stick with me, Frankie, and you’ll be cooking up a storm in no time. We can’t let those grandbabies of mine go hungry, now can we?”
I drop my spoon, splashing soup everywhere when it hits the bowl. No she didn’t. “Grandbabies?” I’m so young, and I could never bring kids into this world, not with Dante running around.
“No rush, child. Just within the next hundred years or so would be nice.” She winks, placing a treat in front of me and taking a seat.
The top is dusted with something fine, maybe sugar. But it’s the letter N carved into it that gets me. “What's this?”
Anatha squeezes my hand, similar to how Zarreth does when he knows I’m on edge.
“I had a brother once. He was killed when I was a child. I wish I could say it gets easier, but even after thousands of years, it doesn’t.
Not really, it just gets…different. You find a new normal, but that little piece is always missing.
Zarreth told me Nate’s birthday was recent, so I thought I’d make you something special to celebrate him. ”
My lips part, but I’m speechless, running my fingers over the carved initial. I can’t believe she did this. My mother would never do something like this. I blink a little faster, keeping the tears from falling, while I finally choke out the only words I’m able to form. “Thank you!”
She stands, busying herself, putting the melitamelics in a basket, letting me eat mine in peace. Once I’m done, I take my soup bowl to the tub next to the basins of water. “Is this water used to clean dishes?”
“Oh, I do love a woman who cleans up after herself.” She points to the dark brown pot. “That water is used for cleaning, and that water…” She points to the tan pot, “…is used to fill your canister.”
She leaves the room, disappearing behind a fabric wall, while I wash my dish.
When she returns, she’s holding an armful of clothing.
“I hope you don’t mind, but when Ronin told me about you, I made a few things.
I couldn’t resist.” She hands me a cream-colored, long-sleeved tunic and matching flowy pants.
“It’s nothing fancy, but the material will keep the ash off without overheating you.
The weather here leaves much to be desired.
Not like your realm, where you get, um, seasons, I think they are called.
Oh, how I would love to see that one day. ”
I’m so excited! Anatha visiting us in the Mortal Realm would be amazing. I wish Nate could’ve met her—could’ve seen what a good parent looks like. How they make you feel inside. I’ve only known Anatha for a few hours, and I already have a deep love for her.
I reach for the clothing. “This is amazing! Once things settle down, you’ll have to come stay with us in the Mortal Realm for a bit. It really is beautiful there.”
“It’s a plan! Why don’t you change, and then we can walk to the festivities. We’ll pick up Beleth and Lucy along the way. Ronin’s family is dying to meet you.”
I duck into Zarreth’s room to change and rebraid my sweaty hair. Once my balaclava is in place, I glance around for my canteen.
I’m surprised at how tight-knit the community seems to be as Anatha stops to say hi and introduce me to random neighbors.
My previous exposure to demons had been vile, so I assumed Zarreth and Ronin were a rare breed.
But I was wrong. If it wasn’t for the God-awful living conditions, it wouldn’t be so bad here.
We come to a stop outside a home that looks like the rest. “This is…” Anatha is cut off by a short, female version of Ronin rushing through the door.
“Frankieee!” Her blonde ponytail sways from side to side as she runs up to me.
Her bright blue eyes sparkle with the same hint of mischief as her brother’s do.
I bet Beleth has her hands full. “I knew Ronin was lying. You don’t look annoying at all.
” She leans in and inhales sharply. “Ooh…but you do smell unusual. I guess he didn’t lie about that. ”
“Lucy, that’s not polite,” Anatha admonishes.
A genuine laugh bursts out of me. “That’s okay. Ronin reminds me every day of my unusual odor. You must be his sister.”
I hold out my hand, but instead of taking it, she pulls me into a hug. “My name’s Lucifina, but ever since Ronin started calling me Lucy, I make everyone else call me Lucy too. I really like that name.”
Before I can respond, Lucy pulls back and loops her arm under mine, linking our elbows together. “I’ve always wanted a sister, and Zarreth and Ronin are basically brothers, so that makes us basically sisters.”
I cup my mouth with my free hand and lean toward Lucy’s ear like I’m telling her a secret. “I’ve always wanted a sister, too!”
Her eyes snap to mine as she quickly claps her hands. “Really? It’s like we were destined to meet.”
“Heck yeah.” I smile. She really is adorable.
“Yay! I’ll hold you to that.” She bounces on her toes and immediately spots another bubbly demon. “Ooh, I gotta go. Ammit said Draven was going to save us a spot. I’m so happy there are no lessons today.”
She vanishes, reappearing in front of her friend. “Boo!” she yells, making the other demon laugh.
Anatha smiles. “I should probably warn you, Lucifina just unlocked her cloaking ability, so she scares people every chance she gets.”
“Come here, let me get a look at you.” I turn around to face a demon with short, blonde hair and no horns, holding her arms out.
There is no mistaking this woman for anyone other than Beleth, Ronin’s mom.
She pulls me into a tight hug. I’m not used to all this physical affection.
I thought it would make me feel uncomfortable, but I actually like it.
She holds me at arm’s length, looking me up and down. “You are beautiful, a little scrawny, but with all the training Ronin’s been telling me about, you’ll have some meat on you in no time.”
“Don’t tell him I said this, but Ronin is a wonderful trainer, and I am so grateful for the time he spends teaching me how to fight.”
“Trust me, Frankie, his ego is big enough. Your secret is safe with me.” Beleth takes the basket of baked goods from my hands. “Ooh, Melitamelics.” She starts picking through them.
Anatha slaps her hand and takes the basket away. “You know I saved some burnt ones for you. These are for the gathering.”
We reach the center in about ten minutes. They could've traced, but they chose to walk with me, pointing out little things around the village while I take it all in.
We enter a tent with a wooden sign hanging over the entrance.
I have no idea what it says. Tables filled with food and drinks are scattered throughout.
“Will you be a dear and set these on the sweets table?” Anatha points to a section where a young demon, who looks to be about Lucy’s age, is sitting.
“Where would you like these?” I ask, approaching him. He’s so cute I can’t help but smile, but as soon as I do, his eyes narrow in on me and he licks his lips.
“Thanks for the dessert, but I’d rather have you.”
What did he say? I must not have heard him correctly. “Excuse me?”
“The treats can go on the table, but if you need a seat, there’s plenty of room here.” He motions to his lap, and it’s all I can do not to laugh. Apparently all males are the same no matter what species they are.
“Knock that off, or I’ll tell your father you tried staking claim on Zarreth’s mate.” An older female with red skin cuffs him alongside the head.
His face goes pale. “I’m sorry, Mother.”
“Go on now, find your father and bother him.” She shoos him away with the rag in her hand, and the boy takes off. “I’ve got my hands full with that one. He’s just like his father.”
I smile. “I seem to remember my brother being the same way when we were younger.” Nate was always flirting with girls.
It didn’t matter how much older they were than him.
I never really knew where he got all his confidence from.
We grew up in the same house and listened to the same insults day after day.
She gives me a knowing smile and takes the basket from me. “You better dig in, they won’t last long. Anatha makes the best sweet treats.”
“Thank you, but I ate mine before I came.”
As if we summoned her, Anatha appears at my side, taking my elbow. “Beleth is grabbing us some drinks. We’ll meet her at the tent.”
The tent? I don’t have time to ask. She’s already turning to the red-skinned demon.
“Will we see you there? I heard your sister’s bringing those spiced nuts everyone loves.”
She grins. “Wouldn’t miss it.”
Anatha curls her arm through mine, steering me into the flow of bodies. “Come along, dear.”
“So…where exactly are we heading?”
“It’s nothing formal,” she says as we weave through the crowd. “Just the females gathering. We sit, talk, trade things…keep each other sane.”
She laughs softly. “Some call us the Circle. Mostly because we talk in circles once we get going.”
I can’t help my smile. “That actually sounds nice.”
“Hit him again!” someone roars nearby.
The noise pulls my attention to a circle of demons in protective leathers. In the middle are two fighters already slick with blood. One swings, another dodges, and a burst of fire lights up their faces. I wonder if Zarreth ever stepped into one of these rings. It wouldn’t surprise me.
Topless dancers slip between groups, red painted over their naked bodies. Kids shriek near bursts of magic, and music is all around. Normally I’d be anxious in a large crowd, but this is nice.
The scent of burning coals threads through the chaos, different from the fire smell tied to the realm. “I’m stealing my mate,” Zarreth announces, as strong arms circle me from behind.
“Don’t keep her too long.” Anatha pats his cheek, nodding toward a tent. “I’ll just be inside.”
He turns me in his arms, running kisses down the side of my neck.
“What was that for?” I ask, not that I’m complaining. Now that I’m able to have sex without having a panic attack, I’m eager for more.
“Nothing.” His smile is so bright I want to melt. “It just feels good to be back here with my mate. How are you getting along with everyone?”
I return his smile with one of my own. “I love your mom so much! I’ve already invited her to come stay with us in the Mortal Realm someday.”
The little sound he makes when he’s happy slips out. His mouth finds mine, soft at first, warm enough to melt every thought in my head. My fingers curl into his shirt as the kiss deepens. I want more.
“Let’s go, Z! You can eat her face later,” someone shouts.
Zarreth’s lips pull into a grin as he pulls away. His eyes burn into mine, holding a promise that makes my toes curl. “Soon,” he growls. “I’ll have you to myself.”
Heat pools between my thighs, anticipating the moment that happens. I drag my finger down his chest, wetting my lips. “Not soon enough.”