Page 162 of Halfblood Deceived

Aroth’s slightly wicked grin would have worried Zeydan, too.

Aylana let out a huff and rolled her eyes at Sebastian, then met Aroth’s gaze.

The demon hummed. “Of course, that’s understandable. I’m looking forward to watching you do it.” At everyone’s look, Aroth elaborated. “Aylana says it will have to be done in stages, since it does take a lot of her power to embed the magic in the runestones.”

“I’d help,” Mari said. “But full-blooded fey can’t cast magic in the Obscurium language.”

“Being a halfblood has its perks, eh?” Diana commented.

Aroth smiled. “Indeed, it does. You and your sister are most intriguing as well.” Something in his dark eyes made Zeydan think of that time Luce had methodically disassembled the grandfather clock in the library because she wanted to see how it worked.

Diana gulped. “Um, thank you?”

“You are most welcome,” Aroth said smoothly.

Kerian huffed, patting Diana’s shoulder in quiet reassurance. “We better get out of here.”

Sebastian grinned at Aylana. “Ready for another ride, love?”

Aylana wrinkled her nose and pointed her muzzle at her mate’s wounded wing.

“I just need another five minutes,” Sebastian said.

Aylana gave him such a weary look that Zeydan could imagine her crossing her arms and arching a black brow.

“We borrowed an SUV from your garage, Kamilla,” Mari said as she helped Evan to a sitting position. “We left it at the entrance of Ancora.”

“We won’t f-fit,” Evan protested, shivering despite the burrowed clothes.

He was right. They wouldn’t all fit, even if they shifted back into their humanoid forms.

Zeydan wrapped Andreas’ arm over his shoulders and stood, feeling utterly lightheaded.

Kamilla took Andreas’ other arm as Kerian helped Mari get Evan on his feet.

“I’ll portal you close to your home if you wish,” Aroth offered. “Then come back and light up the bodies.”

“Why do I have the feeling we’d get d-dizzy?” Evan asked.

“Because we absolutely would,” Kamilla informed him.

Evan groaned, looking at Mari. “I might p-puke on you.”

She scowled at him, but then sighed. “I might puke on you, too.”

“I promise to make the experience as puke-less as possible,” Aroth offered with a mischievous half-smile.

Kamilla gave them all a questioning glance. Zeydan and his family nodded, along with the others. “We’d appreciate it,” Kamilla accepted.

“I’m the least wounded one,” Kerian said. “So I’ll stay behind to help Aroth burn most of the remains and send the Order of the Light a little present.”

Kamilla nodded.

Aroth took Kerian’s place, holding Evan upright. “I’ll take a few at a time to minimize the side effects,” he informed them. “Come closer, your graces,” he invited Aylana and Sebastian. They obliged. “You too, Alexander. Hold on to each other.”

Mari stepped back. “I’ll take the second cab.”

Aroth granted her one of his slightly unnerving grins.

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