27. Orcus

Several Minutes Earlier

"I hear your intended mentioned Chicago,"Queen Helia says, her long nails drumming along the armrest of her chaise lounge.

She's not what I expected. Oh, she's regal and clearly used to being the most powerful being in the room, but she's relaxed in a way I didn't anticipate.

It seems her obsession with rules isn't quite as intense as what Emissary Jones led me to believe.

"I'm sorry for all the formalities and the runaround, God Orcus. My Emissaries are protective of me," she said shortly after I arrived.

My eyebrow inched upward at the title. "You're aware of what I am?"

She shrugged. "I sense origins. Power. Portals. It's all within my realm of knowledge." She stepped forward, extending her hand. "I'm Helia, Queen of Monster City. But please don't worry about the distinction. I wouldn't dare to ask a God to address me as his Queen."

All expectations of hating the woman on sight ended in that moment.

Instead, I accepted her gesture and joined her in the opulent seating area of her suite, where she served some sort of red alcoholic punch.

Reaper would tsk at me for trying it, but it wasn't like poison would work on me.

"It's fascinating," she continues now, bringing me back to our ongoing conversation. "Humans of this time are not acquainted with old city names. I don't suppose your intended mentioned how or where she heard about Chicago?"

"She hasn't. She's only said that she needs to find Chicago." I lean forward in my chair—an oversized beige leather monstrosity that pairs well with the gold fixtures of the room—and brace my forearms against my thighs. "What can you tell me about the Elite City?"

Thus far, we've primarily focused on inner-dimension relations. She hasn't given my world express permission to remain here, and I haven't requested it. Yet.

I suspect we won't reach that part of the conversation until she's done feeling me out.

Which is precisely what she's been doing since I arrived.

I can feel her energy caressing mine, searching for any and all weaknesses.

Unfortunately for her, she won't find any.

"In order to understand the Elite City, you first need to understand our history here." She picks up her crystal wine glass and brings the decorated rim to her plump lips.

It's a seductive move, one I suspect is another test of sorts.

She's a beautiful woman, with long, athletic legs and a model-esque form. If she were a Mythos Fae, I would guess her to be an Alpha like me. She's too tall to be a Beta or an Omega, and she's too bold to be anything other than an Alpha.

But her skin gives her away as being something entirely other.

At first glance, she appears to be dark-skinned. However, the sunlight streaming in betrays the violet shimmer coating her otherwise black complexion.

It's a trait that's extremely evident now when the sun catches her hand as she returns her glass to the table.

"The first portal opened in this realm over a thousand years ago, but for many centuries, monsterkind visited in secret. That changed when we realized some of the humans were actually compatible mates." Her long legs shift along the chaise as she angles her body toward me and props her head up on her elbow.

"I assume this discovery led to the establishment of Monsters Night?" I prompt her, not interested in whatever sexual game she's trying to play with me.

"In a roundabout way, yes. But it took us over two centuries to perfect it. We're now in our three hundred and thirteenth year, and we've more or less perfected the process. However, it took collaboration with the humans to get to where we are. Which is how the Elite City comes into play."

Helia delves into a history lesson regarding how the monsters first approached a particular sect of humans.

They were mortals of certain bloodlines and beings with strong influence over their constituents—basically royal families, politicians, and other high-ranking members of human society. The monsters offered them boons in exchange for helping them manufacture ideal monster mates.

"Places like the Elite City were created to house these families and now, their descendants," she goes on. "Within the city walls, there are sectors. Each sector comes with more power and gifts, with the ultimate layer being the Immortality Sector."

"Of course," I reply, not at all surprised that humans are willing to barter with monsters for such a precious gift. "Humans always want to live forever."

"Exactly," she says. "And they're willing to do anything and everything in their power to achieve it. Including sacrificing other humans to the cause."

My stomach tightens with unease, certain that I'm not going to like the direction this conversation is headed in.

"You see, each Elite family owns a village of humans. Your intended, for example, is from the Nightingale Village. Duke Nightingale, a human, oversees the breeding and maintenance of the crop in that village. He then reviews ample data and statistics every year to decide who is and isn't chosen for Monsters Night."

It takes serious effort to school my features and not react to my intended being referred to as a crop, like she's an animal, not a Goddess.

However, Helia's commentary about the breeding does interest me.

Because it's clear that humans in this world have been infused with some supernatural traits, thus making them even more compatible.

Although, her words suggested it may have actually been a natural evolution, not a manufactured one.

"When you say breeding and maintenance, what do you mean exactly? Is Duke Nightingale pairing specific humans together to increase the potential for compatibility with otherworldly beings?" I ask, interrupting whatever Helia had been about to say.

She smiles. "Basically, yes. Which is the beauty of our program here. The humans are competing with each other to manufacture the highest-quality monster mates. So yes, they are prearranging matches based on genetic markers known to be compatible with beings from other realms."

I arch a brow. "And that's all they're doing?" I can't help the incredulity in my tone.

Alina's an Omega. There's no way humans just happened to create her with normal mortal genetics.

"Well, that's what they're supposed to be doing. But humans are prone to cheating. And cheating has severe consequences, as some Elite families have discovered the hard way."

Her lips purse as darkness flirts with her features. It makes me wonder what she's not telling me.

Is Alina a result of said cheating? Or is she thinking about something else entirely?

Helia blinks, her dark expression clearing in an instant. "Well, that all said, the breeding process is overseen by the Elite families. They decide how they want to create their ideal Offerings; we just provide them with general accommodations to help facilitate the process."

Helia starts talking about the breeding compounds utilized by the Elite families.

Apparently, the Nightingale Compound is right outside of former-day Chicago.

"Most ideal children are born there, then placed with adequate families in the village," she explains. "Of course, that practice varies by Elite family. Some choose to do it the old-fashioned way, too. We, as in monsterkind, don't tell them what to do. We simply reward them for a job well done and remind them of their task when they fail to meet our expectations."

She elaborates a bit, saying how the reward structure is based on how well the village's Offerings do during Monsters Night. Higher-ranking supernatural matches earn higher rewards.

Offerings who fail to match, however, fall into the reminder category. Which I assume relates to some sort of punishment system to keep the Elite families in line.

"If Alina Everheart proves to be your ideal mate, then Duke Nightingale will be handsomely rewarded," she adds. "You're a God from a brand-new dimension. There is no one in this city who is higher ranking than that. Not even me."

"So it's all about which mates are chosen and by whom," I translate.

"Yes. And you being from a new dimension makes your match even more profitable. Particularly as we hope to establish a potential partnership between our worlds."

"What kind of partnership?"

"We'll get back to that," she tells me, waving it away with those sharp nails of hers.

Yes, I think. We will.

"What I'm trying to explain is, the humans compete with each other to create the best Offerings. The Elite City your intended is interested in houses the Elite families who manage our villages. I can't imagine why she would want to go there. She shouldn't even know that the Elite City exists."

That much I've already gathered from what she and the Emissary have said. "I'll have to ask more about it later," I say, reiterating that I don't know why Alina mentioned Chicago.

And even if I did know, I likely wouldn't share the information with Helia.

It's not any of her business why my Omega wants to find the Elite City.

However, I do want to ask Alina about it, primarily for my own knowledge.

"Are we allowed to venture into the Elite City?" I inquire, curious as to what boundaries this Queen may try to impose upon me and my fellow fae. I also want to shift the conversation away from my Omega. She keeps using Alina as an example, and it's making me uncomfortable.

"If we come to amicable terms between your dimension and mine, then yes, you can venture anywhere you want. Personally, I would recommend Monster Island or Monster Isle. The Elite City is primarily populated by humans, and as you seem to have found your mate, you'd probably be bored there."

I don't comment on her suggestions. While playing peekaboo with the portal window, I caught sight of both those places—Monster Island was in the Pacific Ocean, and Monster Isle was formerly known as the Isle of Man.

I may visit them later to search for other potential Omega souls. But for now, I would focus on the Elite City. For Alina.

"As you can imagine, we've adopted the Monsters Night process all over the world," Helia continues. "Each location has a monster ruler, except for the villages. Villages have Viscounts, who report to the Elite families. In most cases, the Viscounts are the only ones who know about the Elite families."

She turns thoughtful, her gaze narrowing.

But after a moment, she shakes her head and picks up her glass once more. "Anyway, once your realm is in good status, you and your kind can venture wherever you'd like. I'll just add that it's considered common etiquette to let the local leadership know if you intend to visit."

I nod. "Then we should discuss your terms for good status."

"Oh, the terms are quite simple. We ask that your dimension only visit one night a year—on Monsters Night—and only for the allotted time. Anyone wishing to remain in our realm will need to request permission from the leadership of their chosen locale. For example, if one wished to stay in Monster City, he or she would need to talk to me. And we ask that you refrain from any and all violence while on our soil."

"I assume you're referring to the humans we killed," I drawl.

She shrugs. "We're more concerned with monster-on-monster violence, but yes, harming humans is frowned upon. However, it's my understanding that you had just cause?"

"We did. And we want access to the third human so we can continue delivering our judgment."

Her dark brow arches. "Your soul eater's mental torment isn't enough for you?"

I assume soul eater refers to Reaper.

Because of course he's been visiting the human.

I can practically hear him saying, "They said we couldn't kill him. They said nothing about delivering other forms of punishment." He would follow that up with a shrug, adding, "I'm still following the rules."

Typical Reaper.

Regardless of his antics… "Alina deserves the right to kill the man for trying to harm her," I say to Helia.

The human hurt our intended mate.

The human will suffer.

"This is not how we typically operate, but given the circumstances, I can offer him to you as a gift. However, I want something in return."

My eyebrow lifts. "A boon for a boon?"

"It's how things are done here, and thus far, I've offered you and your mates several boons."

Reaper and Flame are technically not my mates, but I don't correct her.

Instead, I focus on the insinuation that I owe her a great deal for her boons.

"We remained here as a courtesy, Queen Helia. While we appreciate your hospitality, it's not a gift or a boon when partnered with a mandate. We did you a favor by respecting your meeting request when we could have very easily vanished."

Not exactly true—we needed to remain here.

But she isn't aware of that.

Her dark eyes flash as she studies me, her energy whirling dangerously around my aura. "I think we both know we stand to win more by creating a partnership. Becoming enemies would be… a disappointment."

"I agree," I tell her. "But understand that your definition of a boon does not match my own. So whatever you intend to request from me needs to be an appropriate trade."

She dips her head, her wine glass twirling in her fingers. "Fair enough." She sets the drink aside again and sits up, her thin heels clacking loudly on the marble floor. "I would like to invite you and your mates to a dinner."

I stare at her. "You want us to attend a dinner?"

She nods. "As a boon, yes."

I'm instantly suspicious. "Why?"

"Do I need a reason?"

"If you're asking me to sacrifice something, then yes, you do."

"All I'm asking for is the sacrifice of time, God Orcus." She smiles. "It will just be an intimate gathering between mates."

My lips flatten. "We don't share. And we don't swing."

The Queen throws her head back on a laugh that booms through the room. Whatever monster type she hides beneath her skin is intense. That sound alone proves it.

"Don't worry, darling. Orgies are no longer my thing." Her eyes are dreamy as she adds, "I'm a two-mate kind of woman now, and those positions are very much filled."

"Then what's the purpose of this dinner?"

"To form an alliance and to appease our mates," she says cryptically. "Do you agree to the boon or not?"

Reaper and Flame are going to fucking kill me.

But alliances are important.

And we need to remain on good terms in this realm. So… "I agree."

She smiles. "Excellent. My mates will be pleased."

Meanwhile, my two best friends will be fantasizing about how best to slay you, I think. But as that's their version of pleasure, I suppose I could say the same.

Alas, I refrain from saying that out loud and focus on more important items.

Like rules.

"Just so I'm clear, if I want to travel within this realm, I'm allowed," I say. "However, if I want to stay somewhere, I should provide notice of my intent."

"Yes. Although, the transportation offerings vary by region. My territory, for example, specializes in trains. But, as you may have gathered, my jurisdiction primarily stretches between the Elite City and Monster City. It also goes as far north as former-day Boston, and as far south as Nightingale Village, which is near where Asheville used to exist in the olden days."

She talks about a few other locations, such as the boating system near Monster Island, and something about ferries in Monsters Isle.

I listen politely, but I don't really care about standard transportation mechanisms. They won't be needed.

"What if I want to portal home?" I finally interject, more interested in any potential restrictions that may forbid me from venturing between dimensions. "Emissary Jones mentioned that I needed a higher rank to portal at will."

She nods. "Portals between realms are frowned upon outside of Monsters Night. We don't want beings coming and going without prior authorization. It has the potential to upset the balance we've created here."

"While I respect that, I'm not someone who can remain grounded in a single realm," I tell her.

"Yes, I suspected as much." She taps her chin. "All right, while you're in my territory, you can portal at will. But any other beings from your world—not including your mates—are only allowed to visit this realm on Monsters Night. Violation of that term could result in a breaking of our new alliance."

"Only within your territory?" I ask, clarifying that point.

"I can only grant permissions within my own kingdom. Should you wish to be allowed universal portaling rights elsewhere, you'll need to confer with the local King or Queen."

"So in the Elite City…?" I trail off, arching a brow.

"Oh, the Elite City King is a dear friend of mine. If I grant you portal rights, he'll honor them as well. But anywhere else? Yes, you would need permission."

"I see." While inconvenient, it isn't the worst requirement. "As for my fae remaining in this realm, there are two Strigoi in the building who have expressed an interest in staying. Are you saying they need to return to my world?"

My voice is neutral as I ask the question. I really don't care either way, but I told Cage and Sabre that I would inquire about their options.

"You mean the dreamwalkers?"

"Yes. We call them Strigoi." Because they're more than dreamwalkers. They're strongly related to vampires, hence their need for blood.

"Interesting." She considers for a moment, like she's truly intrigued. "Hmm, well, they're no longer under my jurisdiction. Cain has already escorted them to the Elite City."

"What?" The guy in the suit from earlier has my Strigoi?

She blinks at me. "When I mentioned their existence to Cain, he came to learn more about their talents. And I felt the three of them leave shortly after our conversation began. I assume that means he intends to keep them."

"He can't keep them. They're under my protection."

"Well, I'm afraid you'll have to take that up with Cain."

I pinch the bridge of my nose. "Which, let me guess, requires approval from the Elite City King?" Since I'll have to visit fucking Chicago to track this asshole down.

"Well, normally, yes. But in this case, Cain is the Elite City King." Her lips curl. "I'm sure he would love for you to visit."

I'm sure he won't want me to visit at all.

Because when I find him, I'll unleash Reaper on him.

Trying to keep our Strigoi. Who the fuck is this guy? And what the fuck is he?

I run my hand over my face. This meeting has gone on long enough. "I need to inform my men of this development."

"Of course," she murmurs. "I'll send you an invitation for dinner at a later date. Until then, feel free to keep the suite."

"Thank you," I tell her.

But we won't be needing it much longer, I think. Because all four of us will be heading to the Elite City. Tonight.