Page 73 of Elemental Fae Academy: Book Three

I winced as a particularly harsh bass kicked up to the roar of the crowd, everyone gyrating to the hypnotic tune. At least it wasn’t as loud at the bar, which allowed for conversation.

Not for the first time, I glanced at my entourage and demanded, “When is this guy going to show?” Because I was more than ready to head back to the peace and quiet of the Elemental Realm.

Cyrus sipped his bourbon and grinned. “And here I thought this place would make you nostalgic.”

I snorted. “This is not what I miss about my world.” Pizza? Absolutely. Loud parties? No.

Exos wrapped his arm around me, pulling me closer to him and kissing my temple. “It won’t be much longer.”

“He’s right,” a feminine voice chimed from behind the bar. “He should arrive in the next few minutes.”

My brow furrowed as Cyrus and Exos broke out in matching grins. “Well, would you look at that?” Cyrus mused, reaching for the woman’s hand. “A Fortune Fae playing bartender in the city. I never would have prophesied such a thing.”

Cyrus paused just before touching her, and the woman gave him a knowing smile. She extracted a strange playing card from her pocket that gleamed. “Hmm.”

Her dark eyebrows danced, and he caught her hand in response.

She laughed as he pressed a kiss to her wrist. “You always were a charmer, Cyrus,” she said, her tone sultry and immediately getting under my skin.

No. It wasn’t the tone. It was her whole package. She had curves in all the right places. A tight top that emphasized said curves. Perfectly straight near-black hair. Soft blue eyes. And a smile that captured the attention of half the bar.

Including that of my mates.

I hated her on sight alone.

Hated her even more as Exos took her hand and kissed her in the same place Cyrus had. “What brings you to the Human Realm, darling?” he asked, gaze flickering with curiosity.

She sighed and shook her head. “Bureaucratic bullshit.” She waved her freshly manicured fingers around and focused on me. “You must be Claire.” The woman even had dimples when she smiled. Too fucking perfect.

“I am,” I replied. “And you are…?”

“Not your competition,” she mused, her gaze twinkling. “But I am glad you finally tamed these two. They caused quite the stir in the Fortune Kingdom a few years back. Who was it? Aurora and Cassandra, right?” She giggled. “You two are bad, bad boys.”

“Now, now, Gina.” Cyrus flashed her an indulgent look. “Don’t go putting thoughts in my mate’s head.”

“Oh, she doesn’t need my help with that,” the female—Gina?—replied, winking at me. “I can see she’s well acquainted with your antics already.”

“Who are you?” I asked again, this time with a little more force.

“Gina.” She positively beamed at me. “I’m so glad you’re finally here. The plague is spreading, you know. But you’ll fix it all up in no time. Just have to rid yourselves of that dark piece that doesn’t fit.”

Cyrus folded his arms on the bar, his amusement dying behind an intense mask. “Elaborate.”

“Oh, I would, future Water King, but I’ve already revealed too much. And with my luck—which does appear to be running out—I’ll be discovered sooner rather than later.” She sighed dramatically. “The future refuses to bend.”

“Who is the dark piece?” Exos tried again.

But Gina merely smiled. “You already know, Spirit King. As does your beautiful mate. And if I may...” She made a show of leaving the playing card on the table before capturing my hand without warning. Her blue eyes flickered into a creepy clear shade. She blinked, the color returning to normal as she gave me a squeeze. “So much pain, Claire. Two decades of it. But you have the power to heal them all, to restore the balance. I’m rooting for you.” She leaned in and lowered her voice. “Just remember who you are, Claire. Your mates aren’t the only ones counting on you.” Her attention drifted over my shoulder, her expression lighting up. “Ah, he’s here. You all behave now. Can’t have you drawing more attention to me.”

She whirled around, frolicking—and that wasn’t an exaggeration—to the other side of the bar with a flourish of her very short skirt.

Like she really needed any help drawing attention.

Fortunately, Cyrus and Exos didn’t seem to notice the length or her magnificent legs. They were too busy standing to greet the newcomer who I assumed was Kols.

And wow, was he gorgeous.

Tall. Athletic. Brown hair tinted with a hint of red that glimmered beneath the low lighting of the club. And eerily beautiful golden irises that flickered with power as he met my gaze.

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