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From the first time Shadow Wing claimed a spirit seal, I knew—absolutely knew in my gut—that we wouldn’t make it out unscathed, or without a long, bloody battle. We’d had collateral damage so far, but this…this was a full-scale attack. The war had only just begun.
Asteria and Tanaquar might be able to stem the tide of sorcerers. But those who would join the sun brothers, the goblins and ogres and other malcontents, would ensure that a bloody swath would mar the landscape. Otherworld had existed in relative peace for centuries with only minor skirmishes. But that peace had been a fragile veneer. And now it was crumbling. Once again the sounds of battle would fill the air.
I stood, the ivory beads in my hair breaking the silence. “Tell us what we need to do and we’ll do it.” And just like that, we jumped from the frying pan into the flames that were brewing down south.
Chapter 2
My sisters and I originally signed up for the Otherworld Intelligence Agency because we were raised by a guardsman. Serving the Court and Crown was as natural to our lives as breathing. It wasn’t until the fiasco with our father disowning Camille that we had broken away, even though the organization had treated us pretty shabbily over the years, from Camille’s boss sexually harassing her, to them sending me into Dredge’s lair without backup, to keeping us from advancing just because we were only half Fae.
Our mother’s human heritage left us the odd children out, taunted by both children and adults alike. They called us Windwalkers, nomads with no roots or home. They called us far worse things.
Discrimination is everywhere, even in Otherworld. But life has a way of working out, if you let it. Or, at least, I tell myself that. The elves appreciate us, and my sisters and I have no quarrel working for the Elfin Queen.
I’m Menolly Rosabelle D’Artigo, half-Fae, half-human, all vampire.
I used to be a jian-tu—a spy/acrobat for the Otherworld Intelligence Agency, before Dredge got hold of me. He tortured me, and raped me, and when I was a bloody mess, he forced me to drink from his wrist. Then, and only then, did he kill me. Apparently that wasn’t enough play for him to get his rocks off, because after I rose as a vampire, he sent me home to destroy my family. Thanks to Camille, that plan went awry.
I spent a year in intensive rehabilitation with the OIA. They brought me back to sanity, teaching me to coexist with society and my family. It was a hard, uphill battle, but I mastered my nature, and when they felt certain I wasn’t going to go on a killing binge, they let me go home. This time, I didn’t terrorize Camille and the staff. And this time, I didn’t break my sister’s arm in my attempt to destroy her and turn her into a vampire.
After a petition from my father, the OIA allowed me to keep my job.
Dredge went underground until a little over a year ago, when we found out he’d crossed over Earthside. My sisters and I managed to track the son of a bitch down. I staked him real good, forever freeing myself from the nightmare that he might come back for me.
My sisters are my go-to girls.
Camille—the oldest—is a witch. Her powers go astray at the wrong times, but the Moon Mother has called her into the Priestesshood and she’s now studying with the Earthside Fae Queens. She’s got a figure that could rival the pinup girls of old and is married to three husbands. Somehow, their quartet works for them.
Camille’s always been the rock for our family, ever since our mother died. But now she’s letting go of some of that control. A recent run-in with her sadistic dragon father-in-law left her nearly as raw and wounded as Dredge left me. She’ll be okay, but she’s no longer trying to shoulder the whole load for everybody. And that’s a good thing. She’s working death magic with her youkai-kitsune husband, and she’s developed a taste for the darker arts.
Delilah, born in the middle, had a twin who died at birth—Arial. A two-faced Were, she turns into a golden tabby, especially when she’s stressed, and a black panther. Delilah was naïve and trusting until we crossed Earthside. The demons ensured that her rose-colored glow faded all too quickly.
Called into service by the Autumn Lord—one of the Elemental Lords—she’s also training as a Death Maiden and is becoming a formidable opponent. She’s engaged to a half dragon, half shadow walker, and is growing into a striking woman.
And me…as I said, I’m Menolly D’Artigo, and I’m in love with a werepuma—Nerissa. I’m also the official consort to Roman, the son of Blood Wyne, the vampire queen.
Our lives have become complex, and our family of choice, rich and varied. There’s always too much going down, but we manage to make life fun even in the midst of all the blood and guts, and we watch out for each other. We’re family.
There’s an old Chinese curse and it fits our lives all too well: May you live in interesting times. At least we aren’t bored. But sometimes, I think boredom would make a nice change of pace.
“I can’t return to Y’Elestrial—” Camille started to say, but the Queen raised her hand.
“In time, child. We will discuss this in time. Trenyth and I have some minor business to attend to. In the meanwhile…”
“In the meantime, get to know one another. You’ll be keeping in close contact through the next weeks so you’d best develop some sort of rapport.” Trenyth gave me a warning look and I read it clearly—Get along, or else.
The Queen and her advisor exited the room, leaving us alone with the trio. Trillian and Darynal were already buddy-buddy, but the other two seemed reserved to the point of snobbishness.
Camille, Delilah, and I waited for someone to break the ice. We were itching to discuss what our father wanted with us, but it didn’t seem prudent to do so in front of strangers. Finally, I decided to take charge. Camille was scowling at Taath, and Delilah was frowning as if she were trying to think of something to say.
I caught Quall’s gaze. “So you are headed to Rhellah? By what route?”
He pointed to a city on the map. “First, we travel through the portals to Ceredream and then work our way down to Rhellah on foot. There’s less chance of being fingered that way. Plus, the desert burns. We need to acclimate ourselves before we march into that heat.”
I squinted, trying to figure something out. “I’m puzzled. You are obviously albino. Why send you into the desert? Won’t the sun scorch you almost as surely as it would me?”
“I’m no vampire.”
Okay, the sneer was insult number one. I ignored it and pointedly stared at him, waiting.
