In front of them, Cela’s head tipped back, and she lifted her arms. A flutter started on the air, followed by a whooping sound he felt in his bones.
All around them, the sirens took flight. Their wings beat the air in a rising crescendo that thumped like drums as they rose higher.
There were so many they blocked out the sun as they soared overhead. They formed a V as they flew toward the massive nest at the top of the mountain Lexi and Cole climbed.
When the sirens reached the nest, they dove into its top and disappeared. Cela smiled as she led Cole and Lexi through a high arch comprised mostly of silver and gold watches, necklaces, jewels, brooches, and teeth.
Lexi’s step faltered before she quickly regained control and lifted her chin to stride purposely forward. Then they were through the doorway and beneath the domed nest with its circular opening to the sky.
A large fire burned in the center of the room; its flames kept the nest warm. Most of the sirens settled on their perches high up on the walls. A few settled onto posts on the ground near the fire.
Cela sat on the largest perch. Unlike the other sirens, who all remained in half-bird/half-human shape, she sat and dangled her crossed legs before her. The others gazed down at them in disdain.
Cole ignored them as he strode forward to stop before Cela. She leaned back to drape her arm across the wooden beam. Vines and sticks created its intricate back.
Grinning, she plucked a fish from the plate beside her and swallowed it whole before speaking. “What will you give us if we fight for you?”
* * *
Gazingat the gathered sirens above and on the same level as them, Lexi was amazed that she wasn’t blushing over the unabashed display of nudity from Cela. She was too angry to blush.
Or maybe she was getting used to being around immortals and their lack of inhibition about nudity. Either way, she didn’t like this woman’s arrogant attitude or that she acted like they were at her mercy.
She also didn’t like the countless objects once belonging to humans glittering around them. Those people had deserved better than to end up a broken body or a trophy to these monsters.
But then, none of the Shadow Realms and few immortals were known for their kindness. The sirens were monsters, and she would have to deal with plenty more of them before all this was over.
You’re being too tough on them.They have to survive too.
At one time, she considered the dark fae the worst creatures in the realms, outside of the Lord, and now she was engaged to their king. However, the sirens didn’t have to kill their victims; they did it for fun.
And the dark fae don’t have to shadow kiss some of their victims; they also dothatfor fun.
She would have to accept the ways of the other immortals and look past the things she disagreed with if they were going to gather an army, but she didn’t have to like it. She certainly didn’t like this woman as she kicked her leg and eyed Cole with far too much lust in her eyes. Lexi glared at her, but Cela didn’t notice as she idly ran a hand between her breasts.
Two young, well-muscled, and handsome men entered the cavernous space. One carried two platters of fish and the other a couple of glass decanters of what she assumed was red wine. Another man emerged from a different direction with half a dozen golden goblets.
The only thing covering any part of them were the manacles clasped around their necks and wrists. The chains running from each of the manacles were long enough to allow them to easily carry their possessions toward Cela, who smirked at her and Cole.
Her smug look had Lexi contemplating setting this whole place on fire. Cela wouldn’t smirk so much once her home was falling around her ears.
The men knelt as they offered the platters and wine to the woman. Lexi’s stomach rolled. They’d made a mistake coming here. She’d rather have the Lord cut off her head and feed it to these monsters than ask them for help.
“Put them over there,” Cela commanded and waved at a table beside her perch. “Can I interest either of you in a drink and some food?”
“No,” Lexi said while Cole said, “I will have some wine.”
Cela tilted her head as she studied Lexi. “You don’t like me.”
Lexi didn’t respond.
“You grew up in the human realm and actuallypitythese creatures? Stop!” She grasped the arm of one of the men starting to retreat.
Alarm crossed a face that couldn’t be much more than twenty-two years old. He’d probably just started working on one of the ships that sailed here, or perhaps his father was a fisherman and he’d grown up running around boats. Either way, he shouldn’t be here.
“They’re barely more than animals,” Cela said.
“They’re much more than that,” Lexi retorted. “They’re people with thoughts and feelings, and they deserve better than this.”
