28. Malkar

28

Malkar

T he others are watching me with curiosity, Kami especially. I find her concern flattering.

I have a feeling she's been able to see a glimpse of the power I keep buried. The sensual dryad is much more than she seems.

But I'm not sure what yet.

How intriguing.

Crash is giving me the side-eye. I know for a fact he's felt some of my bite. What a joyous battle we've begun.

Oz and Ries are strong warriors to have nearby on this odd quest to survive a death rite.

The danger, the bloodshed, and the banter make me melancholy, though I loath to admit it, even to myself. It's been so long since I've been with my family.

I miss them.

I'll never see my sister again. Folas took her from us too soon. I am joyous to know I'll soon make him pay. Because of him, my family rejected me. And after I'd worked so hard for their acceptance .

As if I could have forecast that the elf would tear my sister into pieces and use her spare parts to get stronger.

"Well?" Crash's haughtiness, for one so young, pleases me. I had planned to kill him right away, but I'm glad I waited.

He's a constant source of entertainment I've sorely needed.

I shoot him an icy look he dismisses. "I'm much older than all of you. My inheritance predates the dawn of this world."

Ries sighs. "Demon, just tell us what you know about Evers. We don't need to hear about how much better than us you are."

"Shh." Kami silences him. " I want to know."

I bestow my best smile on her, pleased when she blinks in awe. Because yes, I am that beautiful, and most maidens are susceptible to my allure.

Though no virgin herself, Kami is pure of spirit. I can taste it whenever she breathes, her essence lovely and layered. The heart of the feminine, full of life.

I wink, and she blushes. "Thank you, Kami. But I'll keep this brief since our companions don't have the brain power to assimilate such truths."

Ries scowls. "Hey."

"Yeah, yeah," Oz says with a wave, though I see the grin he tries to hide.

He's a good sort for a monster. Part orc and part ogre, if I had to guess. And perhaps something else swimming in that green blood.

"There are five of them, as I said. Life, Death, Time, After, and Love."

Kami blinks. "Wait. What?"

I explain, "They are the personification of those five absolutes."

"No shit?" Oz asks.

I nod. "They only involve themselves in dire times that affect generations. The Meld was one of the last big events they had a hand in."

Crash looks at me with suspicion. "How can you know this?"

"My family has records that predate our journey to this plane. Our new world is so much less than the one we came from." I sigh, missing my home. I've seen it in my brother's vast memories.

Once, a long time ago, when he would share his joy with me.

Back before he cast me out.

Away from everything I knew because of my temerity to think I might be good enough despite my father.

"So you're Olde Fae," Oz says and nods. "I can see that."

I wonder what he sees, exactly. Because my human seeming is just a body I use to blend in. But not my true form.

"Old-ah Fae?" Kami asks. "What's that?"

I explain, "Regulars and common fae aren't educated in our vast histories. They think everything powerful is bound up in spawn and ethereal bloodlines. But ancient fae have given most of this generation its real magic."

Crash sighs. "He's right, though I hate to agree with him."

I beam. "Of course you do, my little firefly."

He growls at me, and the others laugh.

I enjoy winding up my battle treasure. I wonder how he'll taste when I consume his flesh and bones and drink down his blood. Spicy, no doubt.

As if Crash can sense my hunger, he frowns and subtly scoots back.

"Why am I dreaming about, well—" Kami lowers her voice to add "—an Ever? I get that Beyrthnel coming back is a huge problem. But why am I dreaming about it? I'm nobody."

"That's a good question." I study her, seeing a beautiful female fae. Part dryad and part something else that shimmers with power. "It's probably that hidden part you don't want us to see that's attracted their attention."

Oz coughs. "Yeah, well, we're all hiding shit. Tell us what we should do about this, uh, Sebastian guy. Who is he, exactly? Which Ever?"

I blow out a breath. "Okay, we've said ‘Ever' way too much. No more talking about them before we end up inviting them to join us."

"What's the big deal if they do?" Crash asks.

I give him my most serious expression. "They are known for exterminating species. Trust me when I tell you that you want nothing to do with them."

Fortunately, my companions hear me and shut up.

"All we can do is listen when Kami wakes from a dream and try to do what they want. But stopping a war god from coming back isn't something I think we'll be able to handle." I direct to Oz, "No matter how powerful our secrets might be."

Then I add, "I have a history with Folas. He killed someone dear to me, so I—" ate "—killed someone dear to him. I want his head."

Ries snorted. "Right. Well, let me tell you. He hates me for something not my fault. And I hate him for everything he's ever done to me. None of it good. I want his head more."

"You guys can fight for him, but Rilitar is mine," Kami says, and I'm proud of the rage in her voice, the grit in her shaky voice. She's tiny but not to be underestimated.

I make note of that, especially since an Ever has taken interest in her.

"Rilitar is mine," Crash and Oz growl at the same time.

They and Kami stare at one another.

Kami's soft lips turn up in a smile.

She really is too sweet to be here with the rest of us. "I'll share. Why don't I take his balls, and you guys can rip him in half? Half a head and torso for each of you?"

Crash seems to consider it.

Oz laughs. "Damn, Kami. I like the way you think."

She laughs with him.

Crash reluctantly joins in before turning back into a hardass. "I'll think about it. But no killing him until he's suffered a lot. Like, more than anyone can bear."

A hardness comes to Kami's face, one that captivates me because it warns of the stillness inside her, the prelude to her storm.

"I have one other request," Oz says.

We all turn to him, and I realize the orc is someone I have been overlooking, only because he is mostly what he seems. Large and good of heart, strong and sure, like a steady oak.

I can see why Kami has bonded with him so easily. Unlike Ries, who fucked her good and proper, Oz has made an emotional connection before tying with her body to body.

"Yes?" I ask him. "What is it you want?"

"To destroy the monarch of Sacred Lakes and everything he loves."

I blink. "Well, that's grand." I grin, taken with the thought of all the chaos we'll be spreading.

Especially with an Ever prodding our dryad.

"Grand or crazy?" Ries shakes his head, but I can see his excitement. "That's right up there with exterminating a fae god. But hell. I'm in."

The merman is fond of battle and strong enough to be a decent ally. I'm surprised to find I like him.

I like the orc and dryad as well. And Crash, my pet. He too belongs to me.

How odd that I'm enamored with my companions when there aren't many I do like .

Why has fate led me here to this place with these people?

To a merman who makes me smile, an orc I admire, a crazed fire fae with rage issues that complement my ice. And most of all, to a tiny dryad with darkness that makes me hunger.

Is it my lot to consume them all, to make me stronger with their inherent power?

Or for them to teach me some lesson I failed to learn from my demon father and family of Betters?

Is this all a part of my life quest?

Perhaps a way to make right my many wrongs?

If only I knew how to proceed.

Devour my companions, or wait and see what the Ever has in store for us?

But I'm a patient sort, and I know to read the signs. I'm obviously here for a reason. "First, we need to make it past these trials. Then we should destroy Sacred Lakes. It'll be fun. But dibs on devouring Folas's soul." I turn to Ries. "After you torture him first, of course."

The sparkle of happiness in Ries's eyes makes me laugh. "You eat whatever you want to off that prick." He laughs some more, as do the others.

If only they realized I was serious.

And that I plan to consume the elf's heart and bones and well. But I'll wait on the blood.

Elf blood is known to taste like ass, and I'm partial to cinnamon.