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Pestale blinked and Sventer’s agony vanished just like that. He was bent over his thighs on the ground, and looking up with something Pestale recognized—hatred. He had not wanted to cause a rift between them, but he had. It was all because of a female and then he smiled to himself, for his Eslym, ah, she was a worthy female. “When can you be ready to leave?” Pestale immediately asked as though he had not just tortured Sventer.
Sventer was on his feet and his face was full of loathing as he said, “Immediately.”
“Then take your soldiers and do what you have to do and forget this happened, as I will.”
“Of course, Prince, of course,” Sventer said as he turned to shift away.
Pestale’s eyes narrowed. He would have to watch this demon closely.
Chapter Ten
FRANKIE SHIFTED HOME and took to frenzied pacing in front of her window. She took a long drag of air and stopped to look out at the view of the mountain range. Humans would see only the dark rolling shapes, in Scotland’s evening summer light, but she… she wasn’t human, was she? No and she wasn’t all light and goodness either. The dark in the pit of her soul wanted out. It took so much when she was distressed to hold it in.
She turned at a sound in the hall outside her door, knowing it was Jazz who must have sensed her return. This time Jazz didn’t bother knocking but flung the door open and with great concern demanded, “What’s wrong?”
She dove into Jazz’s arms and told her that she loved Graely with all her heart and that he had threatened to stay away from her and refused to see what they were to each other.
Jazz said nothing to this and Frankie felt a feather of irritation tickle her into standing back and asking, “Well? Have ye no words of wisdom for me?”
“Hey, don’t be mad at me because he is turning out to be a very fine gentleman,” Jazz answered with a half smile.
Frankie’s lips twitched and her glittering eyes smiled, “He is a gentleman, more than ye could ever know. Jazz, he doesn’t think he is good enough for me. But, he is, we were always meant to be together. I feel it, I know and I know he wants me…I know just know it.”
“And you want him even though you know that your father will never accept such a thing?” Jazz touched her face and dropped her hand.
“It has naught to do with m’da. I will never understand why a father, any father, for it isn’t just mine, thinks he can choose a mate for his child. It is archaic and barbaric. In the end, Da must accept who I choose to be with and I choose Graely.”
“I can see and agree with your point, Frankie. But the reality is I don’t have the same prejudice that your father and Trevor have. They think this is a youthful crush and you will get over it, because they hate the Dark Princes and have lumped Graely in with all of them.” Jazz sighed, “I know you are so much older than your years and you have always had a mind of your own, and well, I do think, what you feel is real.” Jazz shook her head. “Why don’t you just give it time? See where your feelings—his feelings take you. Let whatever you feel, happen naturally. Don’t rush it and don’t force it.”
“No, but Jazz, he won’t let what ye call the natural thing happen,” Frankie complained forcefully. All at once, Frankie grabbed Jazz’s hand and plopped on her bed. She squeezed Jazz’s fingers with her super strength as something frayed and played her nerves. “Do ye feel it?”
“Ouch,” Jazz objected. “How could I not?”
“No, no, Jazz…don’t ye feel it?” Frankie murmured.
“I sure do, and it hurts,” Jazz frowned at her, as she shook her hand free and grinned.
“Sorry, it came on me so suddenly,” Frankie explained.
“What did?”
“Something…something. I felt harsh vibrations—such as the kind a portal makes when it opens wide and spits out—spits out something it shouldn’t.” She held her stomach as a sharp stabbing pain shot through her, and then gave way to a fluttery motion inside her stomach. She had the old sensation of butte
rfly wings flapping around inside. She felt goose bumps rush up her arms and her body began to shake uncontrollably.
Jazz put an arm around her, “Frankie…?”
“’Tis a portal, Jazz…open and gushing with creatures…bad, so very bad.”
“Are you sure, Frankie—a portal? Where has it opened?” Jazz asked on a note of concern.
Frankie didn’t speak, just shook her head.
“Frankie, you are usually right on the mark, so look with your mind. Where is the portal? Where has it opened?”
“I don’t know, Jazz…that’s just it. I can’t find it in m’mind. I have looked hard, but I can’t find it, and I don’t think this is a vision. It isn’t happening in the future, but right now, right this minute.”
“Do you think it is near us…near here? From where? That is even more important, from where, Frankie?” Jazz pressed her.
