Neither woman responded. Instead, the tall woman threw a bolt of red magic at her. The queen brought up her hands just in time to keep from getting slammed in the face. She ground out several curses, then fired back with a bolt of lightning at each of them. The fae drew a short sword and blocked it, the metal sizzling as it absorbed the power. The tall woman simply smirked, raised a hand, and pulled the lightning into her body. What the ever loving… Lilly braced herself for another attack. To her surprise, the fae put away her sword. Good to know I’m so weak as to not even be a threat to them.
“My name is Myanin,” the tall woman said. “This is Tenia.” She motioned to the fae.
Myanin? The name sounded familiar to Lilly, but she couldn’t place it. “I would like to say it’s nice to meet you,” said the queen, “but I prefer guests come in through the front door, rather than appearing out of nowhere and attacking without warning.” Lilly frowned. So much for Andora’s ward.
“Understandable. I, too, detest unwanted intrusions into my personal life.” Myanin snapped her fingers and then smiled. “No one will pop in on you now, queen. Not unless I let them.”
“You’re too kind,” Lilly said dryly, her hands still lit up like mini-lightning storms as she watched the two women. “Intrusions do suck. So, why then, did you just shoot a lovely ball of power at me?”
Myanin narrowed her eyes on Lilly. “You’re not as broken as I thought. That is good. I wanted to see if you would defend yourself. Your sense of self- preservation is still working. That’s a good sign.”
Confusion and anger warred for supremacy in Lilly’s mind. She might be broken, but she didn’t need a complete stranger pointing it out to her. “As you thought?” Lilly asked. “We’ve never met before.”
“You’ve never met us,” Myanin agreed.
“If it helps,” Tenia, the other woman spoke up, “I’m just as confused as you are … your highness,” she tacked on a moment later.
“Does Perizada know you’re here?” Lilly asked Tenia, hoping to gauge whether the female was in league with Peri and, as such, someone who could be trusted.
The sadness that Tenia’s eyes held was not what Lilly had been expecting. The fae shook her head. “It has been a long time since I’ve seen Perizada.”
It sounded as if Tenia thought Peri would not be happy to see her. Lilly stayed crouched in a fighting stance, but the other two females stood across from her, tall and relaxed, as if they expected no more conflict. She shook her hands, willing the power out of them, and stood up straight. “It sounds like you and Peri have a history.”
The fae dropped her eyes momentarily, and when she looked back up, they were filled with a vulnerability that caused Lilly's gut to clench in sympathy. “I am ashamed of what I’ve had to do. Regardless of the reason, betraying your race is not something that can be forgiven.”
Myanin’s head tilted slightly, like a wolf’s when it was listening intently. Her eyes studied Lilly, as if she were curious how the queen would respond.
“I think there are only a few sins that can’t be forgiven, and it depends on the reason for betrayal,” Lilly said. Her mind drifted back to Cynthia and what she’d gone through. She’d betrayed the wolves, but in the end, she’d more than made up for it.
“That’s not a sentiment most supernaturals share,” Myanin said. “I’m certain my people will not see it that way.”
Lilly’s brow rose. “I am somewhat familiar with the fae and their politics. As to your race, I wouldn’t know, as I have no idea what you are.”
“I am a djinn.”
As soon as the words left Myanin’s mouth, Lilly realized who was standing in her room. Her power surged forward again, and this time she held balls of light in both hands, ready to attack again. The woman before her was a cold-blooded killer.
“I will not cooperate with the Order,” Lilly said. “I don’t care what you do to me.” There was a part of her that hoped they did attack now and fight her to the death. Maybe she wouldn’t win. Maybe she wouldn’t try to win.
Myanin clucked her tongue at Lilly. “That sort of mindset is unacceptable.”
Lilly frowned. “Did I just say that out loud?” It had become a bad habit, speaking out loud, and probably a sign that she had jumped on the crazy train.
“You did. According to Tenia, I don’t have a filter either so you’re in good company,” Myanin said, with a smile that Lilly figured the female thought would be comforting. It wasn’t.
“If you wish to defeat ones as old and as cunning as Alston and Ludcarab,” Myanin continued, “then you cannot sit around wishing for death. But I do understand what it feels like to be so heartbroken that death seems like a retreat. Now, however, we need you to fight.”
Lilly frowned. Okay, I am thoroughly confused. “You murdered one of your own elders.”
“I did,” Myanin replied, and Lilly heard true remorse in her tone and saw anguish in the djinn’s eyes.
Maybe not as cold-blooded as I thought? Lilly said, “You messed up the way Thadrick can record and see history.”
The djinn flinched at the mention of the male’s name. “I have. But I’m thinking that will be fixed soon.” There seemed to be knowledge in her eyes, as well as hope.
“You’ve been working for the Order.”
Myanin’s chin
