“I’m told it gets easier.”
“It wasn’t as bad as I’d expected, actually. The demon I saw before was really scary and ugly. You’re … well, you’re
“Not scary or ugly?”
“You’re not ugly. Still scary, though.”
True to what Rhys had said, even with such a strange conversation in the backseat, the chauffeur didn’t glance at us in the rearview mirror once. He was focused only on the road ahead.
I eyed Rhys warily. “I freaked you out?”
“A little,” he admitted after a moment. “But I also found it strangely interesting.”
“Glad I amuse you.”
He shook his head. “After observing you now for a whole week, I’m more confused than ever.”
“About what?”
“My advisers are positive you’re evil incarnate, based on centuries of rumors about Darklings and our current knowledge of demons in general. Demons are our enemies, after all. I was convinced of it myself from the moment we first met. But …” His brows drew together. “But, now I’m not so sure.”
The thought that Rhys wasn’t entirely convinced I was evil was a strange relief. I felt myself relax for the first time that day. Just a little.
“And that’s why we’re going to see this oracle of yours,” I said. “To prove it to you once and for all.”
“And to prove it to you as well. If you were certain there wasn’t any darkness inside you, I don’t think you would have needed this trip. You’d know in your heart that you could never destroy anything.”
I gritted my teeth, not liking that he seemed to know me so well, so quickly. “It’s complicated, I guess.”
“Just as complicated as you and Michael?”
I looked out the window as the road sped past us. “There is no me and Michael. Not anymore.”
“Because he’s your servant or because of the many rules and regulations your demon friends have against interspecies dating?”
“Because of lots of things.”
He was quiet for a moment. “Just remember, there are solid reasons behind all rules, especially the ones that govern beings like Shadows.”
I looked at him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I don’t know. I’ve heard things — that Shadows can be dangerous, even more so than demons.”
Even though Michael had told me the other day that some demons were afraid of Shadows, I still didn’t believe it. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Then I’ll stop talking.”
“Good idea.”
I remembered leaving school with Michael on Monday. What was the last thing Rhys had said to me?
Ridiculous.
I didn’t say anything else, and Rhys didn’t try to engage me in conversation. Shadows were dangerous and demons feared them? Sure, they were. That’s why they were kept around as servants. It made zero sense.
A half hour later we reached our destination. The currently enchanted and, thankfully, oblivious chauffeur got out of the car and opened the back door.
“Wait for us here,” Rhys told him.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” the chauffeur replied without any hesitation.
“Follow me,” Rhys said. “She’s expecting us.”
I had been so distracted by turning Darkling and by Rhys’s reaction that I’d completely forgotten about where we were headed. I hadn’t had enough time to mentally prepare myself for what was going to happen next — I was about to meet an actual
I took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
I really hoped the sweater I was wearing wasn’t flammable.
“Come with me.”
I looked up with surprise. A woman stood before us holding a clipboard to her chest. She was probably around forty years old, with light brown hair in a short flippy-yet-professional style. She wore a green blouse, which looked designer and fit her slim frame perfectly, and gray dress pants. She turned and walked through a door at the end of a short hallway.
Rhys began to follow her, but I grabbed his arm.
“Where is she taking us?” I asked.
“Down the hall.”
“I see that, but … but is that where the dragon is?” I said under my breath. I was confused and Rhys was not exactly helping. I didn’t understand why the car had dropped us off at a doctor’s office. “Is there a secret passageway?”
He looked at me. “I find it charming how completely clueless you are.”
I glared at him. “Gee, thanks.”
“You’re very welcome. Now, just come on. And stop worrying so much.”
Easy for him to say.
Sticking close to Rhys, I forced myself to trail behind the woman as we went through a door. It led into a richly decorated room with a black leather couch across from a large black lacquered desk. On the wall were framed medical certificates.
One thing led me to believe that, despite all appearances, we were in the right place. Among folders and paperwork and a laptop computer, several small gold dragon sculptures sat on the desk.
The woman we followed moved to stand beside the desk near the gold dragons. She smiled and dipped her head toward Rhys.
“Your Majesty,” she said. “Welcome.”
“Thank you,” he replied.
So she knew who Rhys was? Was she going to lead us to see the dragon oracle after a brief … I glanced around … checkup?
“What kind of doctor’s office is this?” I asked, trying to remain calm, or at least appear like I was. I was grateful that my surge of apprehension about being there didn’t feel as if it would trigger any Darkling shifts. At least, not yet.
Her gaze moved to me. “It’s an office of psychiatric medicine. My specialty.”
“You’re a psychiatrist?”
“Yes, I am. My name is Irena.”
“This is Nikki Donovan,” Rhys introduced me. “
He said it very respectfully and not in the least bit mockingly. I did appreciate that.
Irena nodded. “The Darkling.”
More apprehension. “You know about me?”
“Yes, of course.” She touched her necklace, which held a large amber pendant. “King Rhys called ahead to let me know you might be joining him today. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
She stood and extended her hand and I shook it, about to ask where the dragon was and what I should expect to happen next. But then I suddenly noticed that her eyes were the same vibrant shade of amber as her pendant. Like, the
It reminded me of something. Of a … lizard.
My own eyes widened at the thought, and I pulled my hand away from her.
“Hold on,” I said. “You’re a psychiatrist?”
“Yes.”
“But not only a psychiatrist.”
She smiled. “That’s correct.”
I’d expected the dragon oracle to be large and green and scaly. Not well dressed and well coiffed.
