Page 84 of Cosmic Power

Unlike the armoured warriors, they were dressed casually in tunics and light cotton pants and shirts. They carried baskets of supplies as they made their way out of the castle and into the small village located in front of it. Based on their clothing and appearance, Luther guessed they were of the lower class.

“Come on,” Void whispered harshly. “Just one. For the—”

“If you say ‘for the gram’, I’m going to take that phone from you and beat you over the head with it. Put. It. Away,” Luther growled. His eyes burned, his anger rising quickly.

“Alright, alright. Jeez.” Void tucked it back away, much to his dismay.

“Okay, this is where we part ways.” He looked at Lex and Justin. “You two have your orders. Gather as much information as you can about their armies and defences and meet back here in twenty hours.” He took out the phone Zvetari had given him before they left and handed it to Lex. “If I’m not back by then, take this, get as far away from the castle as you can and wait for the portal to reopen.”

The demon frowned. “You want us to leave without you?”

“I’m not leaving until I find Zamorra. That may not be achievable within the twenty-four-hour time frame.”

Hesitantly, Lex took the device and put it away. “We’ll wait as long as we can for you.”

“Don’t,” Luther said, straightening his body. “It’s imperative you get the information back home. The fate of our world could depend on it. You leave as soon as that portal appears. Don’t wait.”

Lex’s face hardened with resolve and he nodded.

“Try to minimise your interactions with the fae as much as possible. The less we engage with them, the less chance we have of being discovered. If you think your cover is blown, get out and wait for the clock to run out. Don’t risk your life, otherwise all that information dies with you.”

“Got it.” Lex gripped Justin’s shoulder and they teleported away.

Luther looked at Void. “We’re going to check this castle for Zamorra first. Keep your trap shut, you hear me? I don’t need your smart mouth getting us into trouble. I will do all the talking. You just stand there and say nothing. Understand?”

Void narrowed his eyes and poked him in the chest. “I’m a little offended,Lord Douche. You act like I don’t know how an undercover mission works.”

Luther gripped Void’s finger and twisted, breaking the bone. Void howled and Luther slapped a hand over his mouth, muffling his cries and dragging him close. “I will not let you jeopardise this, Void. If I can’t trust you to keep quiet, Iwillkill you, consequences be damned. Getting Zamorra back is my top priority. Anyone who stands in my way will die.”

Void’s purple eyes glowed brightly as a mix of pain and anger flashed across his face. He nodded slightly and Luther removed his hand from his mouth and let go of his now-broken finger. “One of these days, I’m going to fuck you up,” he growled, holding his hand close to his body.

“Looking forward to it. Now, let’s go. And remember—”

“I know, I know. Keep quiet.”

* * *

Luther walked with confidence,his footsteps sure, stride purposeful, posture immaculate, like he was exactly where he belonged. Even though he’d only been in this world for a short time, he could already tell there was a hierarchy of wealth and power in place. Those that lived in front of the castle were low within society, and the further they travelled into the castle grounds, the more evident that became.

Luxury soaked the air, dripped from every surface, surrounded them from all sides to the point he felt smothered by it all. Instead of tattered clothing, the fae inside wore elegant, brightly coloured dress robes and sparkling silver jewellery. Even the way they styled their white hair spoke volumes of their class. It looked like aristocracy was something that spanned the universe.

And then, of course, there were the servants. It had taken a lot of self-control to hide the disgust he felt at seeing his fellow vampires used in such a way. Running around in clothing that barely covered their bodies as they did as the fae commanded, their bones protruding from their skin, showing they were starved.

He had to remember he was here to rescue Zamorra, which meant not interfering. Even though every bone in his body demanded he take vengeance on behalf of his kin.

Luther assumed Void felt the same, considering his body had locked up tight at the first shifter they’d come across. Werewolves were stationed at every entryway, twelve-foot spears clasped in their clawed hands. Shifters in their human forms were cleaning the floors and windows, dusting ornaments and picture frames. Demons scuttled about, running errands and following the elite fae like lap dogs, the same metal collars around their throats as there were on the shifters and vampires. They were all slaves of the fae.

This was the fate of every being on Earth if the fae managed to take over their world, and it did not sit right with Luther. If he didn’t have something more important to deal with, he’d do something about it.

“They’re making them all run around like their own personal little bitches,” Void hissed under his breath, venom in his words.

When a fae woman who was as vile as she was elegant kicked a shifter to the ground for not cleaning to her satisfaction, Void looked ready to intervene.

Luther gripped his arm tightly. “We are not here for this. There is nothing we can do to help these people. Calm yourself, before you blow our cover.”

Void growled, gaining the attention of one of the werewolf guards. Knowing it was vital to play the part of their superior, Luther barked, “Avert your eyes before I remove them.”

The werewolf’s golden eyes snapped away instantly. Fear tainted his scent, permeating Luther’s nostrils.

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