Page 69 of Immortal Sins
The prince’s glare prickles my neck, but I forge ahead and take Trent with me.
“The guards will be waiting by the gate,” I tell the vampire.
He breathes a little easier once we’re outside. The main entrance to Cole’s lodge isn’t well-traveled. The staff and visitors pretty much use the palace portal, but his personal guard patrols the perimeter.
The harsh rain gives way to a warm drizzle, and Trent pauses at the bottom of the stairs, near the life-size statue of a panther. The feline surveils the gates with its stony eyes, its back hunched like it’s about to pounce. The statue resembles Onyx to a frightening degree, and I promise myself to ask Cole about it later.
Oblivious to my new discovery, Trent buries his hands inside his pockets. “You look…okay.”
I frown. “Why wouldn’t I be okay?”
He sways from the balls of his feet to his toes a few times. “I don’t know…rumors, I guess.”
“What rumors?” My eyes narrow. “We don’t have much time.”
“Oz told everyone you were…stuck here.”
“That’s ridiculous. I’m no prisoner.”
He grabs my wrist. “Come with me then, back to Dark Falls.”
I shake him loose. “In Dark Falls, your father is the President of the whole realm, and I’m an eighteen-year-old thief. I need to speak with him on my terms.”
Trent shakes his head. “Be careful, Jules. My father will get his way in the end. He always does.”
The rain intensifies once more. I pull the hood of my sweater over my hair. “Your father didn’t send you because you’re expendable. He sent you because we used to be close.”
“Maybe. Still, he didn’t know for sure I’d make it,” Trent croaks.
We reach the gates, and the two guards from before wait alongside their colleague.
“Fucking fairies,” Trent mumbles under his breath.
I cross my arms over my chest. “How’s Lydia?”
“She’s still upset about Jeremy, but—
My brows pull together. “Jeremy?”
Trent squeezes his eyes shut. “Fuck. I didn’t mean to tell you like this. I forgot you didn’t know.” He covers his mouth with one hand, before he finally meets my gaze. “Jeremy is dead, Jules. He was killed by a hollow.”
My heart beats furiously in my chest. “Dead?”
The soldiers notice our presence and close in on Trent.
“And more will die without your help.” The vampire waves goodbye. A sad smile twists his lips. “Take care, Jules.”
A crushing weight presses on my shoulders.Myhelp. The realm needsmyhelp to save innocents from ancient monsters, just like Faerie needsmyinfernal magic to kill the Unseelie. A meeting with the President of the High Council is as nerve-wracking as an interlude with the Fae King. If I’m not careful, I’ll be swallowed whole.
I’m in way over my head.
* * *
The inter-realm checkpointis nothing like I’d imagined. Airport customs came to mind whenever I pictured the infamously regulated hub where Fae, sprites, and pixies can officially enter our world. Small, illegal Faerie portals sprout in various places all the time, but regular Faerie citizens wouldn’t want to be caught in our realm without their papers.
Long lines and bored magistrates don’t exist here. There are no turnstiles, x-ray machines, or metal detectors. Instead, the checkpoint ressembles a spa, with white marble floors and a triangular-shaped fountain in the central plaza.
Three open-mouthed water dragon effigies spew water into the air. It cascades down many floors to a deep fountain at the bottom. Thin droplets stick to the glass banisters of the mezzanine.
