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“So…” I try to remember as much as I can about mythology. There’s no Heaven and Hell. “The Nether Realm is where people go when they die?”
She nods. “But the unknown cannot distinguish between a soul calling for them and a fool admiring them. All they sense is someone calling out. By Erebus’ command, they answer the call.”
“Erebus is the king?”
“Not a king,” she says. “Erebus is the god of the unknown, and your mate is named after the great shadow beast Orcus. He’s a shadow creature you never want to encounter.” She gestures to the grass. “That was a nameless wisp of shadow. Had it been one of the Elites, you wouldn’t have been able to escape.”
Cool, cool, cool. A good rule of thumb for this world? Everything is dangerous. Fear and the sudden awareness of my mortality creeps through my system. A full body shiver hits me, and I curl in on myself. The most I had to fear on earth was other humans. Now I have to watch out for shadows, monsters, vampires, were-creatures?
Orcus’ attention falls on me like a heavy weight. “Little flower?”
“I’m okay,” I assure him. “Zyla was telling me more about your world.” And it’s fucking terrifying.
“You’re safe with me.” The bond wraps around me, the promise of his words.
“He’s right,” Zyla says. “Orcus is more than capable of protecting you.
Orcus gives Zyla a nod. “Thank you, Grand High Witch.”
That title sounds very important. Is that the magical equivalent to a queen? Why didn’t she say something? My eyes flick to the flower crown and then I glance around. None of the other witches are wearing it. I figured it was an accessory, not an actual crown.
“Callum is here.” She sets her glass down and stands. “I’ll bring him to your friend. Will you stay for the festival? The moon brings Hecate’s blessings.” Her eyes connect with mine. “You’ll need them.”
FOURTEEN
There are some smiles you won’t ever want to forget
ORCUS
Callum hasn’t changed a bit. Long, brown hair, half of which is braided. The witches sipping tea and sitting on the porch across from Zyla’s garden gaze after him as he swaggers up to us. Zyla rolls her eyes and looks away, clenching her jaw.
“Orcus, my friend! What’s it been? Four years?” He holds out his palm. Even at only six feet tall, he doesn’t see me as a threat. Ogres may be big, but there’s only so much we can do against magic.
“Try six, Callum.” I grasp his hand and we grin at each other as he scours my mind. Zyla did it when we arrived because she wanted to protect her people. Callum does it because he’s nosey. I usually take offense, but now I don’t mind since it saves me the trouble of explaining who Daisy is and why we’re here. “Remember the tournament?”
He laughs. “You think I’d forget that night? I think I was hungover for an entire month!”
Zyla pointedly clears her throat.
Callum casts her an appraising look. “No rest for the wicked, eh, Orcus?”
“You make it sound as though I’m forcing you to be the Grand High Warlock,” Zyla grumbles. “This is what you wanted, remember?”
Turning toward her, Callum takes up what I like to call hisI’m about to do something really stupidpose. “I remember how good you taste.”
Zyla’s face turns murderous, and I take a step back, scooping up Daisy in the process. She squeals and clutches my neck as the sparks begin to fly—literally, not figuratively. These are not love at first sight sparks. Daisy trembles as the bursts of magic reverberate over us.
“You’re safe with me,” I remind her. She relaxes, and we both peer down at Zyla and Callum.
“You arrogant. Fuck.” Zyla swings her arm around, the atmosphere charges and she delivers a wallop of golden magic that sends Callum tumbling into the grass at my feet. The witches that had been ogling him run into the house.
“So you missed me?” Callum asks with a pained chuckle. He gathers his own magic, though not nearly as lethal as it could be, and carelessly lobs it in her general direction. It fizzles at Zyla’s feet. He’s not even trying.
Zyla snarls and prepares another attack. Knowing Callum, he did something wrong and this fight could go on all night. I step in front of my friend. Daisy’s fingers dig into my skin and her fear sends my heart racing.
“Orcus! You’ll get hurt.”
“Worried for me, little flower?” I tease before addressing Zyla. “We need his help. Maybe you can kill him after.”
