Page 65 of Beauty At Stake
“Yes. Anita Summers also owns the property we first raided and the house she took the vampire hunters to today.” He grimaced. “I can't believe I'm using the words 'vampire hunters' in a serious conversation.”
“It's a crazy world now that humans know about some of us.”
“A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.”
“Yeah, but it's better than a lot of ignorance.”
He snorted. “I'm not so sure about that, Ambassador. Ignorance is bliss, right?”
I grinned and nodded. “Yeah, it is. But only for the ignorant. Those of us with brains have to endure their stupidity.”
Right on cue, Killian walked up to the table, still dressed in Light. “She didn't have any pants that fit me.”
Extinguisher Teagan, who was already snickering at Killian's timing, said, “Those are some shiny pants, Ambassador,”
“Yup.” Killian spun around with his arms out to show them off. “Take them in, people. Just take in my glory. You're welcome.”
I shook my head and was about to say something about Kill's glory when a horrifying sound came from the hallway. Sort of a roar and a shriek combined. All of us ran toward the sound. It led us into a room at the far end of the house. Inside, thehunters were trying to restrain their leader, Lord Pichai. The guy was stronger than he looked. All five hunters were holding onto him, and he was giving them a ride, swinging them around as if they were a bunch of kids.
“Cease!” I shouted.
The guy kept going.
I rushed in front of him and blew lavender dust from my fingertips, into his face. As soon as Pichai inhaled, he dropped the hunters and collapsed. The hunters caught their lord and eased him to the floor.
“Someone start talking,” Killian said.
A hunter gestured at the room, speaking rapid-fire Fey. I couldn't follow it, but Kill must have understood enough to get the gist because he looked behind me and scowled.
“Ugh.” Killian shook his head. “Yeah, I get it. Elephant hunting pisses me off too. But his reaction was a little extreme.”
“He's Hem Hudtee.” One of the female hunters—I believe she was the cow-bird fairy—gestured at the passed-out Lord of the Wild Hunt.
“The elephant guy, right?” Killian asked. “Yeah, I get it. But again, he's a lord. He should have more control—”
I tuned out the rest of what Kill said. That's how horrified I was. Because there wasn't just an elephant tusk on display. The shelves lining the room were full of terrible things. Had I called the Demons nightmarish? Here was true fodder for nightmares. Bits of bodies. Feathers, horns, claws, and skin. Jars of liquid in which bloated things floated. And on the desk was an assortment of occult items.
“Oh, great Gods,” I whispered, as I comprehended what I was seeing.
Killian stopped talking to turn to me. “What is it?”
“Killian.” I looked at him and then waved at the remains. “Look harder. That's not an elephant tusk. That's from a fairy.”
Kill's expression fell, and he looked around the room with fresh eyes.
“What in the great fuck is all this?” Star demanded as he strode in, clothed in a fresh suit.
The hunters all started speaking at once—some in Thai, some in English, and the rest in Fey. I just covered my mouth and wept.
“Silence!” Star slashed his hand down as he hurried to me. “Seren, what are these things? Why do you weep?” He put an arm around me.
“Hey, back the fuck off,” Kill growled. “I will comfort my wife if she needs comforting.”
Star's expression twitched, but he released me and stepped back to hold his hands up. “Fine. Then comfort her, asshole. She's crying and you were just fucking standing there.”
“Seren?” Kill pulled me into an embrace. “We'll catch her. It will be all right. At least we know what she is now. This proves it.”
“I forgot about them. Oh, Gods, Kill. How could I forget?” I stared at my husband in horror as everything became clear.
