Demon Day by Penelope Fletcher (best novels in english .TXT) 📕

expectant stares. She flicked her hands at us allwith blatant derision. “Not by me, fools.”

My fairy hissed. “Says one idiotenough to pass through a vampire city.”

“We had no choice we weretrying to lose those who hunted us.” She glared at him pointedly.“The vampires ambushed us as we passed the inner city, and forcedus into a corner.” Her handsome face creased with pain and herforest green skin paled. “I was separated from Devlin and theothers were slaughtered. Only Loki and I made it out alive.Everyone else was drained dry. We went back during the day with theintention of freeing him but the Nest is … larger than weexpected.”

I frowned and glanced at Breandan whodid not react at Loki’s name. I thought he had killed the fairywarrior loyal to Devlin. I vaguely remembered his up-titled eyesand red Mohawk.

“How big?” Conallasked.

“Four hundred strong atleast. That excludes those who went underground elsewhere in thecity.”

“Lies,” Alec interjectedand I started. I had forgotten he was there next to Byron who stillhad his beefy arms around his daughters. Maeve was tucked underAlec’s arm and smiled at me shyly before her gaze travelled up tothe shifter again, not bothering to hide her adoration. Hell, whenwe fairies fell we fell hard. “No Nest is that big,” Alecfinished.

Wasp turned to glare at him. With afew flicks of her ruby irises she had his measure and sneered,ivory fangs glinting in the failing daylight. “I am a warrior,kitty-cat. I can infiltrate a Nest and steal something from thosedead things with my eyes closed. I know what I saw.” She turned herattention to Breandan and a cruel, seductive smile curled one sideof her pouty lips. I resisted the urge to throw myself at her andgouge her eyes out. “You know I’m telling the truth. I swear it.”The air thickened with magics as she said the words.

Conall sighed heavily, his big chestpuffing out and collapsing, slumping his shoulders. “This is notgood. The humans will regroup and there is no doubt they willdeclare open war. Our race is fractured, and we have lost thegrimoire.” Conall turned to Wasp and was sincerely apologetic.“There is no time for this. I would not wish Devlin’s predicamenton any being, but we cannot–”

“But we have our weapon,”Wasp interjected irritably, and jerked her chin at me. “Useless asshe seems she is all we need. We throw her power at them, scatter,and confuse them. They’ll be too busy fanging every shadow thatmoves and trying to work out how to get their lips on her prettyneck rather than worry about Devlin.”

“No,” Breandan said, eyesseemingly far away.

“Let me be plain.” Wasptook a step forward and stood in the centre of the group as ifaddressing an assembly of her followers. “I am here because I haveno other choice. Clearly Rae is the next Priestess, may the godsspare us from another of Sorcha’s bloodline. As if they have notcaused, and are not causing enough trouble, but this is notsomething you can say ‘no’ to. It is her purpose. The High Lord hasbeen captured and she is the only one with enough power to get himout of there alive. Since you are no more than a mere rabble ofchildren, it is not surprising you are reluctant to marchyourselves in reach of those with common sense. No doubt you cantell I do not give a damn whether or not every single one of youdies if it means Devlin is returned to me and our people safely.”She looked us each in the face, silently marking us all asexpendable. “We go in there and we get him out. That is the end ofit. No discussion, no questions, and no fawning over a sillyweakling who is too fearful to place the needs of others above herown and lead.” Her words were directed at me and I glowered at her.“The vampires cannot be allowed to keep our lord without swift andbrutal retaliation.”

Breandan simply … shrugged, unaffectedby her outburst. “I will not condone starting a war for yourmate.”

“And I will not allow ourrace to dwindle and die as you foolishly try to shield yours. Thisis inevitable. The vampires are moving against us and you’re toolust blinded to see it.” Wasp shook her head, lips twisted indislike. “I can’t believe I have to be the one to point this out toyou, but have you not considered Devlin does not want to mate Rae?You two could be together, accepted as you are and have a place inthe tribe if he remains High Lord.” She motioned to me. “Try totell a lie and say that is not what you want.” She eyed us bothspeculatively then understanding dawned and her face smoothed out.She was beautiful when her face was not scowling. Her skin wasdarker than Maeve’s, more like the leaves of the Fir tree and herhair was richer and thicker. She was tall, nearly as tall asBreandan and her muscles were defined hinting at speed andstrength. “I can tell you no longer carry the word of your brother.You are outcast.” She smiled, her green lips pulling back. “You didthis for the Priestess, yes? Because by law she would have to beLochlann’s and if you’d remained oath-sworn you would have to standaside and watch him claim her.” Breandan said nothing but flicked atroubled glance my way. Wasp laughed, a screeching warble that mademore than once person wince. “I’ll admit I am surprised Lochlannallowed this to go so far. He could have been powerful with her athis side.” Her laugh puttered out to a chuckle. “Then I suppose hehad no choice. We are all fools in love.”

“No. Lochlann will neverback down it is not his way. They only way would be for him to…. Iwill not allow any harm to come to my family.” Breandan’s jawclenched. “Lochlann will let us–” With a gasp he cut off. He took afew bracing breathes. Whatever he was going to say he did notbelieve it and that made it a lie.

I moved closer to him, worried. “Whatdo we do?” I asked in the tense silence.

“By the gods, is she alwaysthis needy?” Wasp asked,