24. Cadmus

What came next? I met Lexa's stare with a shrug, wishing I knew. "I have no idea what comes next. If it's up to me, I'm suggesting we eat."

"I second that," Jonas said around a mouthful of food.

"You would." Lexa frowned. "Camus, beyond your abilities as an Earth Lord, you've been gifted with the ability to foretell endless possibilities. You're the one who must give us the next step. I've done all I can." She stared at Ellie, a small smile curving her lips. "Perhaps it's time you took your affai home."

"Since when has it been decided she's his affai?" Ethim's fork clattered to the table and turned accusing eyes on Lexa. "You promised me she'd be happy."

"And she will be," I answered, squeezing Ellie's hand. "You're making a mistake to assume I would treat Ellie poorly simply because she's part Djinn. She's my affai, and I'll protect her with my life if need be. With her help, Tanselm can be so much more than it is."

"Than she is," Lexa corrected.

I frowned. "So Tanselm really is female? I always thought it was just something I made up."

"A consciousness lives in the waters, the land, and Tanselm's very air. If you listen hard enough, you can hear what I did the moment I stepped on her grassy plains. That Tanselm's sentience is nurturing, loving, and female."

"Then what's Foreia?" Ellie asked. "Because from everything I've felt since being here, I'd say the land is decidedly male."

"Why would you say that?" Jonas asked.

Ellie blushed, and I nudged her. "Yes, why, Ellie?"

"Because I've been getting a lot of hints and not so subtle shoves in your direction." She added telepathically, For the sex, numbskull. Do I have to spell it out for you? Foreia craves sex the way you seem to, in a kind of domineering, masculine way.

"Oh, right." I stifled a chuckle and sent her, Damn, but I agree with Foreia. Let's ditch these people and find that gazebo again.

Ethim glared at me, but when his gaze settled on Ellie, his features softened, and he studied her with a pained gaze. "Ellie, I would speak with you privately." He rose from the table, waiting.

I stared from father to daughter, aware of Ellie's inner pain. She wanted so much to love her father, to feel his complete acceptance. Lies and misunderstandings had clouded their relationship for a very long time. I studied Ethim, wondering how the man had kept his distance from Ellie all these years. It was clear how much he cared for her, even if he did have a warped way of showing it.

"I don't think —"

"Go," I interrupted. "Speak with your father now, while you can. Once we return to Tanselm, I have a feeling all hell's going to break loose." I added, You'll never be happy until you bridge this gap with your father, Ellie. Take this time to talk to him. You don't know what the future may hold. And a father's love is something to be treasured.

At that moment, I swore I could feel my father's presence near, a bittersweet balm to heal the wound of his passing.

Ellie gripped my hand and blinked away tears before they could fall. She quietly stood and followed her father into the next room. Silence enveloped the table, the only sounds to be heard Jonas' steady munching.

"Thank you," Amanda said. "I know Ethim sounds like he doesn't like you much —"

"Because he doesn't," Jonas interrupted, licking his fingers. He grinned at me with sheer enjoyment. "But then, from my experience with you, everyone you meet wants to kill you sooner or later."

Amanda glared Jonas into silence before turning back to me. "Ethim's pretty ancient. Oh, you can't tell to look at him until you stare into his eyes. But he's lived through some pretty hard years. I'm sure, like you, he has reasons not to trust people he once considered his enemy. But if you really love my Ellie, you'll find a way to make peace with the Djinn. Because, despite my interference, Ellie has blossomed into a true Darkling. I can sense the Darkness around her, and I'm just a plain woman from Seattle."

"A woman who read your thoughts and rob you blind in a game of poker," Jonas muttered.

"Just give him time," Amanda continued as if Jonas hadn't spoken.

Time. A feeling of doom swept over me as true understanding dawned. Ethim was Djinn, as was Ellie. And the Djinn lived as long as Light Bringer sorcerers, hundreds of years, maybe even thousands. I'd never be rid of Ethim unless one of his enemies took him out.

And that would break Ellie's heart.

I sighed.

Ignoring Jonas' amusement, I was determined to make the best out of the situation. I'd refrain from spilling Ethim's blood, but there was no reason not to enjoy myself around the hotheaded Sarqua. Hell, calling him Dad had nearly caused a fit of apoplexy.

"For Ellie, I would do anything."

At my comment, Amanda smiled, and even Lexa nodded with approval. Which reminded me, why had Ellie seemed so sure she knew the Dark Lord?

As if she heard my unspoken question, Lexa changed the subject. "Now about the future, let's see. Where is Sin Garu now? I'm having a difficult time pinpointing him, for some reason. It's like he dropped out of existence." She frowned in concentration. "And your uncle…"

I waited. I'd been wondering when she'd broach the subject of Arim.

"I can't seem to locate him either. And that disturbs me. It's as if Arim's masking his presence with another strong one, and the only beings I know who could hide their presence from me are Sava, Sin Garu, and, well, me."

I felt him before I saw him. Despite having lived around my uncle for my entire life, I was awed and a bit unnerved at Arim's entrance. Streaks of Light burst through the room, so bright they made Jonas and Amanda shield their eyes while Lexa pushed to her feet and threw up a Dark shield over the gathering. I knew the Light must have pained her as well, but she stared without flinching at the spectacle growing before us.

Arim appeared, the infamous Killer of Shadow and Guardian of Storm. Hewore battle dress: a large overtunic of black trimmed with red that reached his knees, black trousers, and knee-high leather boots. The staff in his hands gleamed with purity, menace swirling within the white- and red-striated orb. The static of the Between crackled around him, and I felt the pulse of energy from several worlds hiding my uncle from Foreia's Darkness.

Arim's eyes glowed despite the black irises that seemed unfathomably deep. They rested on me, his stare both intense and probing. Apparently satisfied his nephew remained alive and well, Arim turned his attention on the room's remaining occupants.

His gaze slid over Amanda and Jonas, who wisely remained silent. But when he spotted Lexa, the tension in the room deepened.

Before anyone could blink, bands of Light shot through Arim's hand and staff to imprison Lexa where she stood. Snakes of seething energy held her captive, twining tighter around her body, the constriction of Light causing her flinches of pain.

I closed my eyes and absorbed a few wisps of Tanselm's energy that vibrated through my uncle. I'd always known of Arim's power, but seeing it like this, up close, caused me to view him with a new respect. Yet when I opened my eyes and saw Lexa so still, I knew I had to act.

Visions swirled, the past and the present mingling until I knew for certain that if I didn't move quickly, at least one, if not both Lexa and Arim would die a violent death, here and now.

I hurried around the table toward Arim, walking through my uncle's energy with ease. At least I'm still Light enough to pass through his shields. I breathed a sigh of relief and sought his attention.

"So I'm assuming you're here because you thought I bailed on you again, right?"

Arim didn't take his eyes off of Lexa, but the anger projected at me was strong enough to push me back several paces.

I swallowed hard. "Right, well. That's not the case. Arim, Lexa isn't the bad guy here." I still had some reservations about that, but killing the Djinns' most powerful ally not only made me uncomfortable, the notion seriously pissed off Foreia.

Not a wise idea when one was at the land's mercy.

"Oh?" Arim's voice was soft. Too soft. My stomach clenched. "Do tell, nephew. What did the little witch promise to ensnare your loyalty? Ellie, perhaps?"

"So typical," Lexa muttered while her eyes teared as the Light bit into her skin.

"Stop it, Arim." I worried when my uncle ignored me. "The only way this altercation will end is with you or Lexa dead."

Arim said nothing, but he did seem to be listening.

"With that death will come the end of Tanselm and everything we love." I caught Arim's gaze, willing my uncle to believe me. "You can search my thoughts if you'd like, but I'm telling the truth."

Not expecting Arim to take me up on the offer, I swore and grabbed my temples in pain when he stabbed through my mind. Blinding strength sifted through memory until, with a sharp twist, he was gone, and I could think again.

"What the hell, Arim?" I groaned.

"You were telling the truth." Arim flicked his staff, and the energy holding Lexa vanished.

Instead of the retaliation I expected, Lexa remained still.

Arim didn't take his gaze from her or lower his staff. "I want to see Ellie."

I frowned. "What does Ellie have to do with your being here?"

"I came to find you and to see what you know about the Djinn. Unfortunately, you weren't waiting in Ellie's apartment when I returned. Instead, I found the remnants of a nasty battle." Arim turned to Jonas. "Nice fighting, by the way."

"Thanks." Jonas subtly placed himself between Arim and Amanda.

"Relax, Jonas. He won't hurt anyone else. Will you?" I asked my uncle.

Arim shot Lexa a sharp glance then settled into Ethim's chair as if he'd been invited.

"Perfect." Jonas ran a hand through his hair. "If Ethim hasn't already blown his top, this should do it. His daughter's a Storm Lord affai, and the fucking Killer of Shadow is sitting at his dinner table."

"Affai?" Arim glared at me. "Not yet."

"You're too late." Lexa smiled, but it wasn't a friendly expression. "They've bonded."

"Oh?" His words were soft, and Lexa swallowed audibly.

Odd, but I thought her reaction to my uncle made her more approachable. More, human, almost.

"They've been bonded since that first night Cadmus took over for Darius at Outpour."

I started. "What?"

My question was echoed by Ellie and Ethim, who had entered the room.

"Yes, Dark Mistress," Arim said caustically. "Make sure to let all the pawns know exactly how you've been playing them before you make your final moves." He shook my head at me. "The mistakes we make in youth."

"Haunt us forever," Lexa spat, anger making her eyes turn nearly white. "Oh shut up, Arim. You always were a maudlin asshole. You can blame me all you want to. But true love speaks for itself." She smiled, awash with satisfaction. "Cadmus and Ellie were made for each other."