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Meri flicked her fingers, and the massive bronze statue of Dionysos groaned before lifting into the air. Azimuth stepped in and grabbed the floating metal, helping Meri move the bulky statue off the fae and out of the way. As he pushed the statue back, the thyrsus popped off into his hand.
“Whoops,” Azimuth said. He turned and held out the staff to Erin. “I suppose this is yours.”
Erin accepted the staff with reverence, Azimuth’s icy blue eyes holding hers, the weight somehow light in her hands. “Thank you.”
Closing her eyes, Erin turned to the fae and concentrated, imagining a lush garden springing up around them. She felt power course through her veins and slowly opened her eyes to see ivy creeping up the fae’s long dress and winding around her waist. Dainty morning glories sprouted from the sleeves and petals from the collar, creating an elaborate and beautiful tapestry over the top of their clothing, hiding the blood and making it seem as if the fae were wearing a living costume. Vines intertwined with flowers, creating a stunning, if slightly morbid, ensemble. It was an elegant touch, if she did say so herself.
Orias stepped forward, his green eyes alight with power. He spread his hands, and the air seemed to thicken, growing darker until it formed a heavy, impenetrable veil around the fae’s face. The shadows wove in and out of each other, swirling in an incomprehensible pattern that made her features seem almost alive while hiding her glassy gaze.
Kobol, grinning like a madman, stepped forward and disappeared from view. But as he did so, the fae began to move as if she were alive. Her limbs twitched and shifted, responding to Kobol’s unseen manipulation as he brought her to her feet. Orias was spellbound as they watched the fae’s body animated before their very eyes. Orias reached out and caught the fae just in time, holding her steady.
The scene was both eerie and mesmerizing, as if they were puppeteers putting on a show for the gods themselves.
Meri stepped forward and surveyed the scene, her hands on her hips. “Right then,” she said. “Az and I will act as lookouts. We’ll engage the second there’s trouble.”
Azimuth nodded in agreement, though his eyes were cold and calculating. He was clearly ready for whatever might come their way.
As they moved away, Erin noted the way Azimuth’s hand rested on the small of Meri’s back, and the mystery of how Meri knew the daemons fell into place in Erin’s mind. Clearly, the two of them were together, and Kobol and Orias were his friends. Or something like that. She wondered how a daemon and a daemon summoner were together. Hopefully, she’d get the chance to learn their story someday.
Erin watched with growing fascination as the fae moved under Kobol’s command. She wasn’t sure if it was because of her own magic, or some other force at work, but she could feel the energy radiating from the daemons and the dead fae alike.
A handsome man stepped forward to ask for a dance from the fae. His face lit up with a confidence that seemed both bold and strange. He was clearly accustomed to being the life of whatever party he attended.
Erin watched intently as Orias backed away, seeming to allow this man his turn. Under Kobol’s control, the fae made an elegant gesture with her hands and then sprang to life, swaying like a willow in the wind. Her movements were swift but graceful, as if she could somehow escape death’s embrace.
Every eye in the room seemed entranced by her beauty, her simple movements conveying an emotion that was deeper than anything words could express. The energy in the room seemed to shift as they all watched.
As the dance ended, Orias approached the fae again. This time, he had Finn with him, and both of them looked a little too solemn for the party. Orias appeared to be introducing her to Finn, and then they held a conversation with her. Under Kobol’s expert control, the dead fae simply nodded now and then, as if she was trying to understand what they were saying.
A few minutes later, a tipsy guest insisted on taking selfies with the “costumed” fae. The smell of alcohol wafted off him, and his words slurred together as he fumbled with his phone. Kobol had to keep adjusting the fae’s pose to create a convincing photo, while Orias discreetly intervened with his shadows placed thoughtfully to prevent any incriminating images.
“Smile, darling!” the tipsy guest cooed, snapping photo after photo.
After the impromptu photo-shoot, the dead fae gave a couple of low bow-like nods, her pale skin and silver-tipped wings shimmering in the club’s neon lights.
The club-goers seemed spellbound, their eyes transfixed by the fae’s peculiar appearance as she pranced around and then disappeared into the night. People whipped out their phones to snap photos and videos of her fleeting figure, like they had just witnessed a once-in-a-lifetime event. Erin watched on, pleasantly surprised by their delight at the abnormality of it all. The absurdity of the situation was almost comical, but it only added to its entertainment value; it was too outrageous to be true.
Orias stood within the throng, watching the fae leave, establishing to all that she’d left alone.
Kobol’s plan had clearly established the dead fae’s movements in the Temple and that they’d left alone. Yet Erin couldn’t help but worry about the fae’s ultimate destination. Would it be to a street in the city, an unmarked path in the woods, or some far away bar she had never heard of? With every step Kobol had the fae take, Erin’s fear and anticipation grew as she wondered what fate awaited the body.
Perhaps it was better if she didn’t know.
Just as Kobol had got the fae out of the club, Erin spotted movement in her peripheral vision.
Blaine! He was here.
Blaine quickly approached Erin. His eyes were wild, and his voice trembled as he spoke. “Erin, what is going on here? Are those fae? And daemons?”
Erin wanted to remain cool, but she could tell Blaine was shocked and disturbed by the presence of the fae, daemons, and a daemon summoner in the club. And in his city.
“Blaine, it’s a long story,” she began, trying to sound nonchalant, “but trust me, we’re handling it.”
Her heart raced, and she felt his gaze intensely as they were put to their very limits in trying to think of a way to manage the situation. The plan that took so much effort was about to be tested.
CHAPTER48
BLAINE
