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“Then take more,” I insisted.

He shook his head, his silky hair tickling my chin. “No, you need your strength as well.”

It hit me then, the realization he had expended copious amounts of power fighting the demons. “Do you have more here?” I asked.

He pushed off the couch and straightened his clothing, tucking himself away. “I do, I have plenty. I can always go drink from the Kakians outside if I have to.”

I pushed myself up to a sitting position and arranged my hoodie to cover me. “You can drink dead blood?” A shudder ran up my spine.

His dark lipstick stretched into a smile. “No, but they aren’t all dead. Not yet.”

“Gross.” Pushing off the couch I said, “Don’t kiss me with guts on your face, please.”

Annoyance flashed through his eyes. “Go get dressed. We can expect Adrian and Leander any moment now. They’re close.”

CHAPTER 28

Kiam

Fighting the Kakians had drained me significantly, and I needed a lot more blood if we were going to survive whatever was coming.

Brittney went to the bedroom to clean up and get changed, and I went down to my ritual chamber after grabbing the largest carafe of blood I had.

The crows remained in the circle, and I stepped inside, lifting my hands and instructing them to keep watch for the Fae. They left in a noisy, black cloud, funneling through the rear entrance of the cave. The back end led to the underground tunnel system, which would lead the birds to several exits where they could begin their search over the landscape.

It wasn’t a fool proof system, but it had been effective so far.

After the crows left and I downed the container of the carafe, I remained inside my circle, absorbing the ambient magic provided by the different artifacts strewn throughout the space. The blood’s power entered my cells, revitalizing me, tingling across my nerves, and helping reassure I could keep the both of us safe.

When I rescued Brittney from the Fae’s when they were about to drain her, speed and surprise had been on my side, aided by the birds. Otherwise, I probably wouldn’t have been as lucky as I was. I’d been in tight scrapes before, but these the Fae were a whole other matter.

Stepping out of the circle, I walked over to the shelves and grabbed the books I’d brought with me. I snagged the magical box I stored the diamond in at the same time and settled in a chair. There was precious little information about the Seventh Realm, or its inhabitants, and I’d never gotten the chance to read everything I’d acquired.

One book, the history of the Thornes and Wickfords, immediately drew my attention. Somehow, the book had expanded while I’d left it alone, with multiple pages suddenly containing writing I hadn’t noticed before.

Interestingly, there was an entry about the Seventh Realm. The timing was incredible.

I read about strange white birds before I got to an interesting bit about a crystal blade, and then a witch cursing a Fae prince to only ever fall in love with a human. There was other information as well, complaints about demon royalty and then some other tidbits I didn’t care about.

But the curse stood out and gave me plenty of ideas.

“What are you reading?” Brittney’s hair was dripping all over the place, and I lifted my hand toward her. Her head wobbled and she reached up, grinning. “Best boyfriend ever,” she said.

That made me smile. “Nice to know you’re easily impressed.”

“Shush,” she chided me, “I’ll be more impressed when you teach me magic.”

“So, disemboweling and staking bad guys wasn’t enough?”

Brittney wrinkled her nose and laughed a little. “Ugh. Well, I have to say those are very usable, if not gross, skills. But what are you reading and what’s that box? It looks cool.”

The box was beside me in the chair, and I picked it up, my fingers curling tightly around it. My heart rate accelerated for a split second before I regulated it again. With our enemies coming, I couldn’t afford to let down my guard.

“It's a history book, it has some information on the Fae in it, and their Realm.” I held it toward her, and she grabbed it. “I know what I’m going to do to them,” I informed her.

She slapped the book shut. “Stop trying to distract me. What’s in that box?”

She raised an eyebrow, challenging me. Damned if I should have known better, but I opened it, keeping it facing my chest. “It's the diamond.”