Blue Blood (Series of Blood Book 3) by Emma Hamm (books to read this summer .txt) 📕

“She could be one of the people meant to save us from Malachi.”

Priscilla nodded sagely. “Well, let us hope you learn to control her, after all. She needs a master, all Phoenix do. It is her last bit of humanity that rebels against it. If you ask Ignes, he would be all too happy to have someone telling him what to do. It makes their lives much more simple. Running free makes them dangerous.”

“That I have seen,” Jasper murmured. “But I can’t easily convince her to allow me to be her master.”

“Nothing good in life is easy.”

A shiver ran down his spine. He’d heard the phrase before, but the way she said it echoed with power. She wasn’t offering him advice. She was giving him an oracular prophecy.

Priscilla’s grin widened in further wrinkles around her eyes, and she reached out her gnarled hand to grasp his wrist. Not long ago he would have shivered to have the Hag’s hand on his skin. But now, he saw past the curled fingers, warts, and wrinkles. Now, he only felt paper thin skin and comforting heat.

“I will not be around forever to help, but I can offer this at least.” She shifted her hand slightly, gripping him tight.

His forearm burned. Jasper looked down to see green vines appear underneath her hand. They twisted and twirled up to his elbow. He could feel them writhing against him until they slowed, flattened, and dulled.

“What—” he whispered.

“It is a ward,” she said as she patted his arm. “It’s not much, just a small protection spell. But a ward is still some kind of assistance.”

“I—I don’t know—”

Bluebell’s voice interrupted what he was going to say. “It is a gift, Jasper. You should say thank you.”

“Thank you.”

Priscilla’s eyes crinkled further. “Thank you, little Fairy, for recognizing a gift when you see one. I wish you luck on your journey, Jasper.”

“You say that like I’m not going to be here much longer.”

She did not respond. Her wise gaze remained upon him for a few moments longer before she shook her head firmly. “No more dark talk. Tonight is for celebration.”

“Why?”

“You have been here for one month. It is your anniversary of meeting us.”

“A month?” He straightened in shock. “Has it been that long already?”

“Time does not pass the same when you are working every day.” She stood up and clapped her hands. “Tonight, we gather as friends. We drink. We make merry. And we dance!”

The others lifted their tankards of ale and shouted their excitement. One of the creatures he had not met before, an Elf it appeared, took up a violin and began a hearty jig. Even Tiny lifted the barrel he was using as a cup and gave a mighty yell.

Jasper shook his head at their antics. Laughter burst from his chest, making him rub his ribs. He joined the others as they threw their food and plates aside.

The Centaur struggled to his feet, although Jasper noted that his four legs weren’t working quite as well as they usually did, weaved over to Priscilla, and patted his rump.

“Oh, I’m not that drunk yet,” she scolded.

He did not relent. Jasper’s eyebrows raised as the old woman managed to spryly leap onto the Centaur’s back. She placed a hand against his shoulder and tossed her head back to let out a cackle.

“These people are crazy.” Bluebell sighed. “I love them.”

“Yeah, you aren’t alone.”

Around the bonfire, the creatures danced. A Hag atop a Centaur, a Thunderbird wheeling and diving in the air, a Giant making the ground shake with his tapping feet, and a Korrigan jabbing his fists into the air.

“Mercy!” Tiny shouted. “Fireworks! This calls for fireworks!”

Jasper hadn’t seen her nearby during dinner. He straightened, looking for her now, and froze when he saw her. She stood apart from the others, fire in her eyes as she stared at Jasper. He was certain that fire burned for him.

“Mercy!”

Tiny’s repeated yell snapped her out of the trance. A slow smile spread across her heart shaped face, and she held her arms out. With a twist of her wrists, tiny fireworks spread around the creatures. Lights popped above their heads and showered sparks down upon them.

The Korrigan immediately whooped. His hands grasped at the air as though he could hold the lights like fireflies.

Jasper’s eyes widened as the little man managed to do just that. Pointed ears twitching, the Korrigan held the sparks in his cupped hands and blew. Magic charged the air with static. It grew until Jasper’s skin itched and then even further.

When the Korrigan opened his hands, he released dozens of birds into the air. Not birds made of fire, but real birds. They trilled, spread their wings, and took to the skies.

Priscilla clapped her hands and giggled so hard she nearly fell off the Centaur. And, though Bluebell’s shrieking laughter had his ears ringing with mirth, Jasper wore a broad smile.

“You’re all crazy!” he called out to them.

“No!” The Thunderbird’s voice boomed all around him. “You are crazy for not joining in!”

He looked down to see that his tankard was still half full. He hadn’t drank nearly enough to keep up with them. So, instead of standing, Jasper raised his cup towards the sky and shook his head.

“In time, my friend,” he said. “Soon!”

The drink made them all tire quickly. The Centaur listed to the side, eyes almost crossed, before he plunked to his knees. Priscilla hooked an arm around his neck and gestured towards Mercy.

“Come, entertain us, my child.”

“Oh, no.” Mercy shook her head. “I don’t think so.”

“You’ve done it before!”

“That was then; it was a long time ago. I was young.”

“You’re still young! Don’t be shy. We love watching you dance.”

Jasper again raised an eyebrow. This time, his gaze sought hers across the bonfire. “Dance?”

Her jaw tightened. He could fairly see the tension that rode upon her shoulders. His mind grew foggy as he thought of the numerous ways he could ease that stress. Maybe the drink was stronger than he’d thought.

“I