24. Orcus

Emissary Jones steps outof the elevator on the fifth floor, his expression giving nothing away. "The Queen will be ready for you at noon sharp. Just use the code we discussed, and the elevator will take you up to the penthouse suite."

With that, he walks away, already very aware of my mounting impatience.

Primarily because he called to demand that I join him in the lobby, just to promptly dismiss Reaper and then say, "The Monster City Queen would like to meet in two hours."

"That message could have been conveyed over the phone," I informed him dryly.

He shrugged. "Perhaps, but our Queen likes to ensure her rules are followed."

"Meaning our obedience this morning was a test," I translated.

The Emissary smiled. "Our Queen would also like me to treat you to breakfast." He gestured toward a hall that led to one of the tower's many dining rooms.

"A request or a command?"

"What do you think?" he asked.

"I don't think you have any interest in dining with me," I replied. "Which means you're following orders."

"As I said, our Queen likes her rules."

"Hmm." Or power plays, I thought.

But I indulged him anyway. I need the Queen to play along and give me the information I require. And I also want our dimensions to have a peaceful relationship with one another. It'll make traveling between them easier.

Thus, I'm forced to play this political game.

Alas, I still have twenty minutes to kill before I can key in the code Jones gave me for the Queen's penthouse.

I originally considered returning to my suite to wait, but I selected a different floor instead.

Now I step off onto that floor and head straight for the Strigoi's rooms.

I knock and wait.

And wait.

And wait.

I'm about to try again when Cage answers the door in a towel, his long blond hair damp and dripping down his bare chest. Sabre is behind him, tying a robe around his middle, the two of them having clearly just been showering together.

Studying them has my jaw clenching.

I've spent the last century thinking these two hated each other. Their families are rival royals, both vying for the same throne.

And these two Princes are the primary heirs.

"You both put on quite a show in public," I concede aloud, forgoing greetings. "When Reaper told me you two fuck in private, I almost didn't believe him." But Flame said he found these two holding hands in the park.

They also ventured into this world together, suggesting friendship.

Or romance.

Whatever it is, I'm annoyed because I didn't pay enough attention to pick up on it. Details are important, and if I've missed such a significant one when it comes to royal families in my world, then what other details have I missed?

Fortunately, Reaper and Flame pick up on things I miss.

As evidenced by Reaper's lack of a surprise that Cage and Sabre were here together. "Maliki probably let them through. He and Cage are old friends." The Death Fae shrugged then and went into the kitchen to search for something.

Apparently, he didn't find Cage and Sabre's relationship to be all that important. Otherwise, he would have said something about it previously.

But I definitely don't share his lack of regard.

"You're both going to ignite a war between your families," I tell them. "I'm just glad I don't have to deal with the fallout." That'll be Morpheus's task. "Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I'm about to meet with the Monster City Queen. If she gives permission for me to open a portal, then I'll create one for you to return to the Morpheus Realm."

I didn't request this initially, as it seemed clear the Queen wanted to meet with the Strigoi as well. But as the higher-ranking fae from our world, it makes sense for me to take the meeting and negotiate terms.

Sabre clears his throat. "And if we don't want to return?"

I stare at him for a long beat. "That'll be for you and Morpheus to discuss." My only job here is to see that he and Cage are safe. If Morpheus gives them permission to stay here—which I highly doubt he will due to their royal positions—then they can remain. "You would also need permission from the Monster City Queen."

Which she may or may not allow.

I have no idea what to expect from this woman, other than the fact that she has a fondness for rules and power plays.

Sabre looks a little pale, likely from the realization that he'll have to discuss his future with his God. Of all the Mythos Fae to upset, Morpheus is honestly one of the better ones to piss off. Mainly because he's constantly lost to his dreamy state of being and very rarely cares what those are doing around him.

However, he won't like that Sabre and Cage have inconvenienced him by forcing him to leave his dream world.

So he won't exactly be kind with whatever punishment he gives them.

Unless he decides that he just doesn't care.

Mythos Fae are mercurial. Sometimes they want to cast judgment, sometimes they want chaos, and sometimes they just do not give a fuck.

That last bit is how I feel right now.

I don't care that these Strigoi are here. It's a minor inconvenience on my part. They can do whatever the hell they want.

Morpheus can judge them, kill them, leave them be, or just eat popcorn while the Strigoi Royal Court falls apart. His domain, his rules.

Maybe this Queen is a Goddess,I think. Her domain, her rules, hmm?

Blowing out a breath, I rub my hand over my face. "I'll mention your request to the Queen, too. Just so you know if it's even an option for you to stay here before you talk to Morpheus."

I don't know if Morpheus will be around to talk to them, though. I haven't tried reaching out to my brother since the other day.

"Just… don't go anywhere. I really don't want to have to track you down, yeah?" I tell the Strigoi.

Sabre still looks pale, but that could just be his vampire-like coloring. It's the middle of the day, which might be weakening him here. Fortunately, though, the Queen gave him a suite with blackout curtains. And there are no windows in the hallway, either.

"There's nowhere for us to go," Cage replies, his blue eyes flashing. "But we won't be returning to the Morpheus Kingdom."

I arch a brow, somewhat impressed by his display of a backbone. It takes serious courage to stand up to a Mythos Fae, especially when his kind worships my kind.

"Again, that's a discussion for you and Morpheus," I tell him. "I'm not going to force you to do anything other than answer to him." Because I want nothing to do with any of this.

Cage doesn't seem fully satisfied by my response, but I'm not sure what he expected me to say. I can't grant him clemency. It's just not my place.

Sabre winces, causing me to frown. "Are you all right?" I ask him. He's still pretty pale, and I doubt I scared him that much with my words.

"He just needs more blood," Cage says, wrapping his arm around his lover's back. "Maybe you can ask the Queen for that, too?"

I nod. "I'll see what I can do." And add it to my long list of items for the Queen.

I'm not sure when I became an ambassador between realms, but I'm hoping this job is temporary.

Because I'm not cut out for this diplomatic bullshit. Fucking rules. Fucking power plays. Fucking meetings.

"I'll be back," I inform the Strigoi, my voice holding a touch of a growl to it. My frustration has very little to do with them and everything to do with the Queen waiting upstairs.

Glancing at my watch, I see that I still have about ten minutes.

Rules. Rules. Rules.

You know what? Fuck your rules.

I stalk off toward the elevator, deciding to let this Queen know who she's dealing with.

Punching the button, I call it to me. Only, when it opens, it's to reveal a man in a crisp suit.

No. Not a man. Something far more powerful than a man.

He studies me with glass-like eyes, his gaze running over my leather jacket and jeans before returning to my face, a frown marring his brow.

I move back on instinct, not because I wish to bow to this creature, but because I need more room to defend myself, should it come to that.

"You must be Orcus," he says, stepping out of the elevator. His height rivals mine, placing him well over six feet tall.

However, his aura is similar to those of the Strigoi.

Another dreamwalker?I wonder, studying him closely. From another realm, perhaps?

"Who are you?" I demand.

"Cain," he replies.

"What are you?" I add, noting that his accent is similar to my own.

He smiles. "Are you always so demanding of those you just met?"

"Only potential threats."

Amusement shines in his glass-blue eyes. "I'll take that as a compliment."

"You shouldn't," I inform him. "I don't like threats."

"Ah, well, then you and Helia are going to get on famously," he drawls. "I almost wish I would have stayed for the meeting now."

"Helia?" I repeat.

"The Monster City Queen," he tells me, catching the elevator door before it can close. "She's ready for you, by the way."

I cock a brow at him. "Are you here to escort me up?"

He laughs, though the sound lacks humor. "I'm not in the habit of escorting anyone anywhere, Orcus. But unless you want an Emissary to come find you, I recommend heading up to see Helia. The Emissaries around here are all about punctuality and rules."

He lets his arm fall then and starts down the hallway.

I stop the door from closing this time and stare at the man's back, half-tempted to ask where he's heading.

But given that he didn't answer my question about his supernatural type, I doubt he'll give me that information either.

Besides, it's not really my business.

All I want to do is to get this meeting over with.

I step into the elevator.

Key in the code.

And steel my spine.

Time to find out what kind of creature becomes a Monster City Queen.