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EMBER’S RAGE INCREASED when she found more drained rogues packed into the cave when she checked on them shortly after she woke up. The Immortal Triumvirate were probably siphoning the life and energy out of more of the shifters somewhere in the woods right now.
She flew high above the trees in her demon form for three hours or so. She finally caught sight of the fairy, vampire and werewolf just as Lord Dallinar was finishing his spell. He teleported them all away before she could dive at them.
Circling above the trees, Ember couldn’t stand the thought of more rogues suffering at the hands of their rulers. Someone had to do something to stop it. The werecreatures thought of her as their leader and it was her responsibility to look after them.
Some undrained rogues found the aged and withered victims and led them to the cave where the others were living. They would ensure their kin would be fed and cared for, but their numbers were growing with each night that passed.
Whirling away from the woods, Ember winged her way across Nox to the Fae District. She landed on the roof of Lord Dallinar’s private tower to wait for him to get home. He was a drunk, which made him the weakest link in the Triumvirate. All she had to do was wait for him to start drinking. Once he was inebriated, then she would strike.
As she waited, she saw a flaw in her plan. She couldn’t gain access to his chamber through force. She would have to find a way to get inside his bedroom. An idea came to Ember and she left her perch to fly back to the Shifter District. She’d stolen some more clothes from the markets. They were stored in the latest empty apartment she was squatting in. Choosing a dress, she bundled it beneath her arm and flew back to the Fae District. She could sense the fairy was home when she landed on the roof. He was muttering to himself and she heard the telltale clink of glass as he poured himself a drink.
After a couple of hours, the fae lord began to sing drunkenly and Ember went into action. She dropped down to the ground beneath his tower and changed into her human form. She pulled the dress on and hurried around the back of the house and approached the two Night Cursed agents.
“Stop right there, ma’am,” the FBI agent said, putting his hand on his gun in warning.
“What business do you have with Lord Dallinar?” the CIA agent asked suspiciously.
“I have a favor to ask that only Lord Dallinar can grant,” she lied. As far as she knew, only holy Night Cursed beings would be able to tell that she was fibbing.
The pair exchanged looks, then the FBI agent put his finger to his ear and spoke. “Lord Dallinar, a human woman is here to see you,” he said and waited for a reply. “She says she has a favor to ask that only you can grant.” He waited again, then eyed her. His head tilted downward as he presumably examined her breasts. His glasses were too dark for her to see his eyes. “She’s very beautiful, my lord.”
Ember inwardly rolled her eyes, figuring Lord Dallinar wanted to know if she was pretty enough to become his next victim. For once, she was glad her human form was so appealing to men.
“You may enter,” the FBI agent said after he was given more instructions. “Lord Dallinar is waiting for you at the top of the tower.”
Ember nodded her thanks, then pushed the door open. By the time she reached the top of the stairs, she was dry. She paused to finger comb her hair, then knocked on the door.
“Enter,” the fae lord called out.
The hellion pushed the door open and took in the opulent chamber. She’d seen it from the outside, but pretended to be impressed as she looked around. The fairy was wearing a scarlet and gold robe that was carelessly tied at his waist. “Thank you for agreeing to see me, my lord,” she said as she stepped inside and shut the door.
His emerald eyes went to her chest and he smiled in anticipation. “I’m sure it’ll be my pleasure, my dear,” he said, slurring his words. “Can I offer you a drink?” He turned and gestured at the armoire that held a few bottles of amber liquid.
“That would be nice, thank you,” she said, then waited for his back to be turned before she changed into her demon form. Her dress tore open at the back when her wings emerged and the garment fell to the floor. Ember leapt at the fae lord with her talons extended. She hit an invisible shield and bounced off it. Hissing in rage, she slashed at his face when he spun around to confront her.
“How dare you attack me in my own home!” he roared and fumbled for his wand.
The demoness had forgotten about the magical shield that protected all three Immortal Triumvirate members. Nothing could get through the barrier, whether the attack was physical or magical. The enraged fairy cast a spell at her before she could flee.
Ember was blasted through the window by an invisible wall of air. She was too dazed to spread her wings to break her fall. She landed on the ground far below with enough force to shatter most of her bones. She had enough strength to look up and see Lord Dallinar leaning out through his broken window, then she lost consciousness.
When she woke up a few minutes later, she was being cradled in a pair of gray stone arms. She looked up at the face that was almost as hideous as hers. It belonged to be the winged creature who had caught one of the fairy lord’s female victims. She passed out again and woke up next to the gigantic arena. The Night Cursed creature squatted next to her. He was arguing with the beautiful angel who had told her when Raum had been telling the truth during his unexpected visit.
“She’s a demon, Ivan!” the angel said, waving her hand at Ember. “It could kill her if I try to use my holy power to heal her!” She wore a different face and body, but her halo still sat slightly askew.
“You have to try,” Ivan said. “She’s badly hurt and I’m not sure if she’s going to make it.”
Ember felt Raum coming, but she was in too much pain to speak when the demon lord landed next to her. “You have to change forms, Ember,” he told her. He knelt beside her and ignored the rain that pounded down on them. “Take on your human form so the angel can heal you.”
“She has a human form?” Zircadion asked in surprise.
Ember winced out of reflex when Raum put his hand on her shoulder, but his touch was so gentle that it didn’t cause her any pain. He infused her with his demonic essence, but he didn’t torture her with it. Instead, he gave her enough strength for her to be able to embrace her human form. The moment she changed, agony washed through her. She passed out from the pain, but roused when brilliant white light flared around her. She felt burning pain deep inside her from the divine power. Her inner hellion fled to the recesses of her mind to escape from it. Then the agony was over and she was whole again.
“You have my undying thanks for healing Ember, my lady,” Raum said to the angel, glad he’d followed his instincts to keep a close eye on the hellion. He took his jacket off and covered Ember’s nakedness with it, then changed into his dragon form. He gently picked the demoness up, then flew to the closest entrance to the Demon District.
Raum changed back to his human guise to traverse through the narrow tunnels. He chose a route that allowed him to avoid his own kind and made his way to his private chambers. Both of his guards straightened up when he appeared. One of them opened the door for him with a nod of respect. Neither asked him why he was carrying a naked human in his arms. They could sense his fury and knew better than to question their Guild Master.
