Page 19 of Fatality on the Field

“By the beard of Hades, you’ve brought a reborn phoenix along! Oh, this will be a fascinating visit indeed. Has the doctor seen it yet? He would be chuffed to find a fellow fire bird in our midst.”

The group files in behind Kat and me as the Keeper continues prattling on like some sort of demonic Martha Stewart, and I hear Lucas chuckling at our dragon’s grunts. Kaspar is working on his shit, but I’m sure walking into the lair of a demon who is powerful enough to be given this sort of home in retirement bothers him. At least, that’s my assumption because he’s got Liam’s arm in a death grip as he murmurs to him, and my prince has his silence shields up as he replies.

As if I don’t need to know whatever they’re gossiping about—fucking men, I swear.

The Keeper leads us into his living room, gesturing at the seats before he frowns. “Blast. Not enough for this crew. Oh, well, easily fixed.”

Just like that, the couch lengthens and more seats appear out of nowhere, giving each of us a spot to sit down as he claps his hands. My eyes fly to Liam’s, and he chuckles softly. I suppose it’s not incredible magic, especially since we just watched Ignatius magic the entire room clean. However, I’ve never moved a goddamn thing, much less made it appear out of thin air, so I’m still impressed. Magic always does that to me and I can’t help it; it’s my own insurmountable goal that’s stuck in my brain since my childhood.

“Thank you, Arces,” Kat chirps as she pulls me to the middle of the couch and plops down. “You’re such a good host. Everyone acted as if you wouldn’t be the first time I came here, but they were incorrect. You should have more people over.”

The big demon laughs, patting his belly as he smiles at her. “Kat, I have no use for inviting most of my kin into my home. I prefer solitude usually, but your visits are a bright spot. Of course, I enjoy the company of the prince and any friends he might bring.”

Very careful to include that so Jasper doesn’t blow his lid—The Keeper is trained in politics as well.

“Yes, yes. We’re all amazing,” the aforementioned demon says dismissively. “Arces, these are more of our friends from the surface. The lady is Morgana LeCiel, Dean of State University, and her mate, Prince Liam of Daybreak. His bodyguard, Kaspar, is the dragon, and her other mate, Lucas, is the bear.”

“Welcome, Your Highness and friends,” Arces says as he dips his head to Li. “I am honored to have you in my home.”

Liam smiles, walking over to clasp hands with The Keeper oddly, and then says, “The honor is mine. We were told you are a war hero, which is something Kaspar and I highly respect. His father is my father’s general, and we were put through all the training you would expect in our positions.”

The ancient demon gives him a serious nod as they shake, and when they break apart, Arces asks, “I remember the young bear from yesterday, but the lion you’ve brought is new. What is your name, son, and from where do you hail?”

Archie grins, rubbing the back of his neck as the pissy bird yells again. “I’m from Bay City, like my friend Angelo, whom you met yesterday. The loud ass bird is a phoenix as you said; it’s our other friend Javier. He imploded himself in our family’s defense a few days ago and is currently reforming.”

Walking over to look at the sling, Arces smiles broadly. “I’ll be damned again. I haven’t seen one of these guys for centuries. Are you aware of what you need to do to help your friend regain his former glory? I find supernaturals on the surface are woefully uneducated on rare species and their care.”

I frown as I ask, “Do you go to the surface often? My understanding from our hosts is that most of you do not, unless it’s job-related.”

Shaking his head, The Keeper walks away, heading for the kitchen—I think—to make good on his promise of tea. “I do not, Lady Morgana of State U. However, in the past, I traveled there to assist caladrii and other supernatural healers or magical zoologists with various things. That was a very long time ago, before the Society had such a tight grip on the beings there. Since then, I mostly get help from a friendly librarian who comes out once a month to help me communicate with the old colleagues who are still working.”

Liam frowns at his words. He clears his throat and says loudly, “That would have been… quite a long time ago by my estimate. You haven’t been to the surface since the Dark Ages?”

“Quite right, young royal!” Arces peeks his head out to look at us. “Before this internet thing, I would write missives and draw diagrams to be sent across the portals to communicate. Some of my closest colleagues could summon me, but that is a power demons do not offer to many, nor do we do it lightly. But the damn bureaucrats up there dislike demons walking about without a purpose, and my assistance to their people has seldom been deemed necessary enough to grant passage.”

“You mean my father wouldn’t ask,” Jasper mutters. “The King could insist and he fucking doesn’t.”

Anton shoots his friend a sharp look, and I shrug. “We will not report him for it; don’t worry.”

The fussy peacock demon shakes his head. “Even the wards Arces places could be breached, which is something we’ve discussed before. He’s not on the outs with the crown, but our ridiculous headmaster is no friend to anyone but himself.”

Ahhh. Their very own Magnus is why they are so very careful about everything they say and do.

“If you are so worried, do what you must, Aldaric! It won’t be a satisfying visit if you’re worried the entire time!”

Salem looks at the rest of the group with a sigh and shakes his head. “Sit down, and I’ll go help him with the tea so we can chat. Anton, do whatever you need to in order to feel secure.”

Beaming at the laid-back demon, Kat gestures to the chairs not occupied by her grumpy dragon. “He’s right. If we’re going to check out the corrals out back, we should tell Arces what we’re looking for, and maybe let him explain about Javier. I think that would make Rogue feel a lot better, don’t you, Archie?”

The lion nods as he finds a chair. “Fuck, yes, it would. None of us has a clue how to get him back to normal, and he sure as hell can’t tell us. With Reb missing, it’s like we’re down two people while picking up more enemies by the second.”

Liam sits on my other side, with Kasper taking the chair between Archie and the couch. The dragon isn’t moving an inch from our prince, and I guess I get it. Even if Kat and her men trust Arces, he can’t let his guard down when it comes to protecting Li. I turn to the Fae, my smile a bit crooked. He grins and brushes a kiss over my forehead before looking at Lucas. The handsome hockey player walks over and drops to the ground, sitting at our feet and leaning into our legs.

Just when I think he can’t be more adorable, he always finds a new way to surprise me.

“You don’t have to be on the floor,” Anton says with a grimace. “Arces has enough chairs now.”

Lucas just shrugs, looking completely comfortable with his choice. “I prefer being close to my mates and I’m good where I am, man.”