Chapter 19
Maliki
“What in the Styx are you doing?”
Morpheus doesn’t respond, his focus on the swirling black hole forming before us.
I recognize this magic.
It’s what earned me a prolonged stay in the Hell Fae King’s interrogation room last year.
“No.” It’s an emphatic statement. A solitary word. An absolute denial.
Yet the Mythos Fae pretends like he can’t hear me at all and grabs my wrist.
“Mor—”
The world dissolves around us, causing me to curse into the void. Shadows. Lucifer is going to fucking kill me when we return. My familial relation to his mate Az won’t save me this time.
“Have you lost your fucking mind?” I demand the moment we step into a new dimension.
Morpheus touches his head, frowning. “No. No, I believe my mind is still fully intact.”
I glare at him. “That’s not what I bloody meant.”
He smiles. “Then be more specific, Enforcer.”
“You just opened a portal to another dimension, something Typhos Lucifer made pretty fucking clear that he didn’t want us to do again,” I say through my teeth. “Not to mention the fact that you didn’t even ask me to go with you; you simply took me.”
“You didn’t tell him about our chat?” a familiar voice asks, drawing my attention to Orcus.
Reaper is standing beside him, twirling a blade, his gaze bouncing between me and Morpheus. “Want to borrow a toy?” he asks me.
“Yes,” I reply without hesitation.
He tosses it to me, but Morpheus mists and catches it before I can move. “If I told you we were heading to the Monsters Night universe, you would have alerted Hades.”
“So my brother doesn’t know either?” Orcus demands.
Morpheus sighs. “Not everything needs to involve the God of Death.”
“No, but it should involve me.” A cultured tone rings through the air as an imposing male with glass-like eyes steps into view.
One blink confirms his human appearance is a mask. Though, his unexpected arrival also confirms him to be something other because his approach was silent. I’m not even sure where he came from. It’s like he stepped out of the lake behind him. Only, his suit is dry, as is his dark hair.
However, there’s a hint of a shadow around him, like he just finished morphing into this humanoid facade.
Fucking Morpheus. Visiting a dimension like this is dangerous. He could have at least let me grab a jacket. And some knives…
“Hello, Cain,” Morpheus greets, the name making me wince.
Because I recognize it instantly.
Cain. The Elite City King.
Just. Fucking. Great.
“I’m trying to decide if I prefer your human appearance or the one I’ve seen lurking in my dream world,” Morpheus goes on.
“Your dream world?” Cain echoes, eyebrow arching.
Morpheus glances down and pats his pristine suit. “Hmm, yes, I’m still the God of Dreams, even in your dimension. So yes, my dream world.”
Cain’s jaw visibly ticks. “Are you here to challenge me, God of Dreams?”
“Morpheus, please,” he returns, smiling. “And no, not at all. That would be quite unfortunate for us both, I believe.”
“Morpheus,” Cain repeats, one eyebrow arching. “You do realize we have portal protocols, yes?” His focus shifts to Orcus. “I am certain that you are aware of them, Orcus.”
“Yes. Our visit won’t be a prolonged one. I promise,” Orcus replies.
“Prolonged or not, rules must be obeyed,” Cain states flatly.
“Well, if that’s the case, then I suppose Sabre and Cage will need to return to my kingdom,” Morpheus interjects, his tone underlined in an authority I rarely hear from him. He almost sounds like Hades.
However, I’m more interested in him mentioning Sabre and Cage. They slipped through the portal into the Monsters Night universe last year, and I haven’t seen them since.
Sabre and I are friends.
Which is why I helped him and Cage escape into this new world. Their love was a forbidden one, and from what I understand, they found their mate-circle here—with Cain and a female named Scarlett.
“Is that why you’re here, God of Dreams?” Cain’s inquiry is a soft one, yet it’s underscored with lethal intent.
So now he also sounds like Hades. Awesome.
I look at Reaper and note the way his blade is no longer twirling between his fingers. He’s clearly picked up on the tension, too.
“No,” Morpheus says. “But if you continue talking to me about rules and the need to enforce them, it could become my reason for being here. Because, if I recall correctly, I bent the rules for your mate-circle once. So I would hope that you could return the favor now. However, if that’s not possible… ”
Cain’s jaw ticks. Then he cants his head and assesses Morpheus with a quick glance over his suit-clad form. Their similar attire and stature mark them as equals. But those aren’t the only characteristics they share—they’re both connected to the Dream Realm as well. Except in different dimensions.
It’s confusing.
But it also sort of makes them rivals.
Or allies.
Depends on the situation, I suppose.
So what’s it going to be today? I wonder, wishing now more than ever that Morpheus had allowed me to properly suit up before dragging me into this dimension.
Sera, I whisper, wanting to let her know where we are and what’s happening in case Hades is needed.
She doesn’t reply.
Which has my blood icing over.
“I can’t hear Sera,” I tell Morpheus, not caring at all that he and this other dream God are in a standoff. Sera is much more important. “Open another portal. I’m going back.”
“Not hearing our mates when in an alternate dimension is unfortunately normal,” Orcus tells me, though his focus is entirely on Cain. “That’s why we’re going to make this a very quick trip.”
“To do what?” I demand.
Orcus finally looks at me. “To evaluate the site where Sera was held in this dimension.”
“We’re hunting for clues on what Demeter may have done, or perhaps information that will help us understand her mirage abilities,” Morpheus adds. “Flame and Alina know we’re here. If Hades or Serapina expresses concern, they’ll inform them of our intentions.”
“Yes, because unlike your circle, our mate-circle actually communicates plans prior to acting on them,” Reaper drawls.
“What’s that like?” I deadpan, irritated as fuck with Morpheus right now. While I agree this is a good use of our time, we should have at least told Sera we were leaving the fucking dimension.
“I can allow this one-time visit,” Cain says before Reaper can reply. “But I require payment in the form of a future favor.”
“No,” Orcus replies immediately.
“I believe I already granted you a favor,” Morpheus murmurs. “Two, to be precise.”
“Then it’s a good thing I don’t want a favor from you, God of Dreams,” Cain returns, his focus shifting to Reaper. “You are the one I want a favor from.”
“No,” Orcus repeats. “Absolutely not.”
“Now wait a minute,” Reaper says, holding up a hand. “I might be intrigued.”
“Which is exactly why I’m saying no,” Orcus says through his teeth.
“But the last time Cain invited me out to play, it was to attend a bloody wedding, and that was so much fun.” Reaper gives Orcus a wistful smile. “The souls were delicious.”
Orcus rolls his eyes. “No.”
Reaper shrugs. “You’re not the one I answer to, Alpha. I’ll just ask Alina if I can come back here to play.” He flashes Cain a smile. “I’m sure I can persuade her.”
Orcus folds his arms and shakes his head. “As Morpheus stated, you’ve already been given favors, Cain. This trip should cost us nothing.”
Cain stares at him. “We have rules for a reason, Orcus. Without them, other kingdoms and realms might choose to visit on a whim rather than adhere to our Monsters Night protocols. If I give you leeway, others will expect it as well. And I cannot run this region in such a manner.”
“Unless it benefits you in some way,” Morpheus muses. “Such as receiving a favor as payment, thereby explaining why an exception was made.”
Cain meets his gaze. “I see why Cage and Sabre admire you.”
“They fear me as well,” Morpheus points out.
“Perhaps. But I do not.” The shadows surrounding Cain seem to move. I’m not sure if it’s a trick of the light or his inner monster making his presence known.
However, all Morpheus does is smile. “There is very little I fear, too, Elite City King.” His expression sobers.
“Unfortunately, whatever Demeter has done to my mate is one of those few things. So, if you’re done emphasizing your importance here, I would appreciate you either assisting us or fucking off. ”
Cain’s glacial gaze narrows. “Careful, God of Dreams. You’re in my world now.”
“Perhaps, but the two Strigoi I’ve allowed to remain here are still from my world.”
I shake my head. “This posturing is never going to end,” I mutter, stepping in front of Morpheus to face Cain. “Call Sabre.”
The Elite City King arches a brow. “And you are?”
“The reason you met your mates,” I tell him. “The one who created the portal to your world. The one who told Sabre about it. The one who helped Sabre and Cage enter your world. Good enough yet?”
His lips twitch. “Maliki.”
“Maliki,” I confirm. “Now ask Sabre if he thinks you should give us a pass.”
“You can’t command me to do anything, fae,” he returns. “That said…” He slides his hand into his pocket, which causes Reaper to step up to my side.
“I like you, Dream King,” Reaper says. “Don’t do anything to make me dislike you.”
“Dream King?” Cain sounds amused by the nickname—one I assume Reaper assigned to him on a whim—and finishes pulling the item from his pocket. He flashes it toward Reaper. “A mirror.”
“Which is a weapon for your kind,” Reaper says. “I’m aware.”
Cain snorts. “If you consider handheld portals to be a weapon, then yes, I suppose so.” He holds the mirror in front of him and says, “Sabre.”
“This had better be important, Cain,” a deep voice returns, irritation coloring his tone. “You know we were busy.”
“I know Cage is currently busy,” Cain replies, a hint of humor in his tone. “I believe you were… watching.”
Sabre mutters something in response, causing Cain to chuckle as he holds the mirror out to his side.
My eyebrow inches upward when smoke comes through the glass, then takes shape and reveals Sabre’s large, muscular form.
The Strigoi Prince looks at me in surprise, then stares pointedly over my shoulder. “My lord,” he grinds out before inclining his chin in subtle respect.
“I’m rather certain Cain is your lord now,” Morpheus replies. “Unless he keeps wasting my time. Then I may require you to call me that for eternity.”
“Try to take what’s mine and see what happens, God of Dreams,” Cain says, his voice iced over.
I shake my head. “Enough. You’re both powerful. You’re both dream Gods or whatever. Can we please stop measuring our magical cocks now and do whatever it is we came here to do? Because I do not like being cut off from my mate.”
“Our mate,” Morpheus corrects me.
I move to the side so I can stare him down. “She’s going to be my mate after I kill you for dragging me here without consent.”
“Oh, there’s a fight I want to watch.” Reaper nudges Orcus. “Wanna place bets?”
“You and God Morpheus share a mate…?” Sabre asks, ignoring Reaper’s side commentary and focusing his black eyes on me. “Since when?”
“There are a great many important developments you’ve missed over the last year or so, Sabre,” Morpheus replies before I have a chance to speak, his attention shifting from me to the Strigoi Prince. “Which reminds me, we should discuss your father. And soon.”
My old friend frowns. “Has Xanthus…?” Sabre doesn’t finish the question, just leaves it hanging after uttering the name of Cage’s brother.
“Xanthus is alive and well,” Morpheus tells him, his tone serious. “Your father, however… let’s just say fate has finally caught up with him.”
The Strigoi Prince bows his dark head for a moment, then nods. “Whatever happened, I’m just glad Xanthus wasn’t involved.”
“Well, I didn’t exactly say that,” Morpheus replies. “Only that he’s alive and well. If you want to know more, you’ll need to reach out.”
Sabre swallows. “I may do that.” He looks at Cain and falls silent, the two of them seeming to communicate without spoken words, or perhaps even mentally.
Thank Styx I don’t have that ability with Morpheus. His voice in my head would drive me mad. Hades, too, for that matter.
I fold my arms. Definitely not going to request any sort of bond that allows us to communicate, as I strongly doubt it would ever be efficient. Morpheus would just speak in riddles, and Hades would bark orders.
No. Fucking. Thank you.
“Fine,” Cain says after a beat, holding up his hands. “We’ll assist.”
“I believe I said you,” Sabre mutters.
“And I translated it aloud as we,” he returns, flashing a quick smile. “If I have to suffer, you might as well join me. These are your fae, after all.”
Sabre sighs. “Right. Fine.” He waves a hand. “What do you need?” He directs the question at me.
“Oh, I wish I could answer that,” I reply. “But this was Morpheus’s idea, not mine.”
“Actually, that honor goes to Orcus,” Morpheus corrects me.
I roll my eyes. “Just explain what you want to do, God of Dreams.”
The Mythos Fae smiles. “I thought you’d never ask, Enforcer. So let’s travel to the Nightingale Village, where Serapina was chosen for Monsters Night and her story truly began…”