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Thea
Darkbraidswraparoundher horns and twine atop her head, while light reflects off her swirling golden markings. The vine-like tattoos cover every bit of her exposed skin, countering the onyx black of her complexion. Eyes as bright as the sun stare at me, expressionless.
Behind her a terrifying woman glares. She appears both similar and wildly different from the Queen at her side. The female is taller, with silky black hair and slightly dulled marks of bronze twisting up and over her shoulders. Her lip is curled into a snarl, revealing two thick fangs. They dip lower than Ren’s and the Queen’s combined, nearly reaching her chin.
Together, they create a chilling sight.
We stare at each other, both taking observations about the other. The dark Novian leader drags her gaze between myself and Ren as he clutches me to him, arms wrapped around my waist.
“Um, hello.” I’m not sure if it’s the right thing to say. I’ve met no one of her… class before.
It seems it is. The Queen dips her head in silent bow and then straightens, smiling slightly. “I’ve been awaiting your arrival, Light Queen.”
This comes as a surprise to me. “You’ve been… expecting me?”
She nods again; her smile never waning. “I’ve heard all about how you nearly washed Jacel of all his darkness. Everyone here was frightened, but not I.” She bends her head until her eye nearly touches the wire fencing. “You didn’t hurt anyone, after all. I think we could be great allies.” Her gaze darts upward again, focusing on Ren. “Or at least Ihopewe could be.”
I press my palm against Ren’s arm, holding onto him for courage. “I’m grateful to you,” I begin, licking my bottom lip. “You’ve healed Ren, and he’s been the most important aspect of my journey so far.” His grasp tightens ever so slightly. “You’re the one who healed him, so you should know he’s not mad with bloodlust anymore. We’re together now, and webothcome in peace.”
The Queen straightens, her smile growing until it’s a toothy grin. She points from me to my mate. “How did this come about? Are you… joined?”
A blush creeps over my cheeks, but the scoff from the Novian guard at the Queen’s back causes me to stiffen. “Yes. He’s my consort. My partner.”
She taps her chin. “And your visit here? Is it as pure? Or have you come to suck away the darkness of our souls like my friends seem to believe?”
Ren’s chest rumbles. “Thea has been curing the maddened. She’s the essence of hope, not destruction.”
It’s the first time he’s spoken since we approached the Queen and her guard, and the fierceness in which he defends me doesn’t go unnoticed. I pat his arm, sending a fresh wave of gratitude to him through the bond.
“I just want to meet the humans and share what I’ve learned about their world, along with my plans for the future.” I reply, chin lifted.
The Queen claps her hands, bouncing on the balls of her heels. “This is wonderful.” She twists around to glance at the warrior by her side. “It’s just like I said, isn’t it, Shesha?”
The grumbling Novian inclines her head, still staring scornfully at me and everything surrounding us.
With her delicate gold and charcoal fingers, the Queen unlatches the metal chain around the fence, allowing the door to swing open. “You can call me Jeen, by the way.”
Jeen. What a graceful, simple name for one of the most powerful beings on Earth.
“I’m Thea.”
And with that, I step through the gate and into the land of my people, Ren in tow.
“Come, let’s meet with the dhampir Jacel.” Jeen whispers, gliding past the sleek walls of the underground bunker.
We’ve traveled through an unusually plain door and then down, sealing ourselves beneath the earth by yet another entrance, this one fortified with steel. The hallway slants downward like a ramp, and at first, it seems to go on forever.
But eventually the floor levels, and I’m able to see the outline of a door. Above it a light flickers. Silence creeps into the air, making everything feel more ominous than it really is. Perhaps if there were people around, signs of life, it wouldn’t be so… forewarning.
I tap into Ren’s thoughts, knowing his senses are far superior to mine. He’s controlled on the outside, marching at my side like the perfect consort that he is, but inside…
He rages.
Strategy after bloody strategy filter through his thoughts faster than I can keep up. Nothing about this situation feels easy to him. In fact, it’s the exact opposite. The Queen’s light nature, our quick invitation, the smile on Jeen’s face- none of it seems real to him.
After a moment, he refocuses his attention on the inhabitants of the compound. They’re not far at all, congregating in a single room on this level. He hears eight heartbeats, one faster but fainter than the others.
The base is larger than I expected. I know Ren can hear the humans, but with the vastness of this structure, their whispered voices should echo. The distance must drown it out.
