Page 56 of Vicious Kings
"This has to be wrong," I mutter, checking the invitation again. "Or a really elaborate prank."
"You don't understand Fae magic." Olivia snatches the invitation from my hands and holds it up like an offering to the wind.
The paper begins to glow, brighter and brighter until I have to shield my eyes. The rusted door swings open, revealing not the decrepit interior I expected but a curtain of pure light that reminds me of the portal that brought me here.
Enough that it makes me nauseous.
My every instinct is screaming, "DANGER, ABORT FUCKING MISSION", but Olivia's already stepping through. I follow, because what else am I going to do? Let her walk into a potential death trap I invited her to alone?
The light swallows us whole, and for a moment I'm falling through nothing and everything all at once. Then my feet hit solid ground, and I have to grab Olivia's arm to keep from stumbling.
"Holy fuck," I breathe, taking in our surroundings.
We're standing in what can only be described as an architectural wet dream. A multi-level penthouse that seems to exist outside the laws of physics, with crystal structures that catch and refract light in ways that make me even more nauseous than the portal. Through vast stained windows edged in stained glass, I see an ocean that's definitely not located anywhere on Earth. The water is cerulean blue shot through with veins of silver, and two moons hang in the purple sky overhead.
The party is already in full swing. Fae move through the space like dancers in some sexed up fever dream. Most of the female Fae wear gowns that are more suggestion than fabric, with strategic cutouts and shimmering material that seems toexist in multiple dimensions at once. The males are no less impressive, dressed in everything from suits that look like they're made of liquid shadow to robes that trail stardust.
Birds. Male Fae are like fuckingbirds, bright and ostentatious, strutting around trying to catch the attention of any omega in the vicinity.
And they're here, too. Not many, but enough that the alphas have sort of formed loose groups around them, like mini solar systems. The Fae women seem less than pleased about it, if the death glares are any indication.
The omegas stand out not only because they're far more petite and mostly curvier than their tall, willowy Fae counterparts, but also because of the collars. Some are subtle and plain like mine and Olivia's, some ostentatious, all marking them as either owned or aspiring to be.
My stomach turns when I spot one omega literally sitting at the feet of three Fae males, a jeweled leash connecting her collar to the hand of a redhead who strokes her hair like she's a prized pet.
"Holy shit," Olivia whispers. "This is a shimmer."
"What the hell is a shimmer?"
"Illegal as fuck, for starters." Her eyes are wide as saucers. "They use forbidden magic to open portals in pocket dimensions. The whole thing collapses after a set time. Even by Fae standards, this is..."
"Obscenely wasteful?" I finish. "Obnoxious? The most ridiculous rich people bullshit I've ever heard of?"
"I was going to say exclusive, but sure."
We hover near the entrance like the outsiders we are, both clearly out of our element. I scan the crowd, making note of the exits (there are none), potential weapons (also none) and threats, which is literally everyone in attendance. But if I couldkill Corvinus here, in a dimension that's about to collapse anyway...
The thought must show on my face because Olivia grabs my arm. "Would you at least try not to look like you're planning murder?"
If only she knew how right she is.
"Ladies!" Tallon's voice cuts through the ambient music, something that sounds like crystals singing, and suddenly he's there with that warm smile stretched across his impossibly handsome face. "You made it!"
Olivia goes tongue-tied, managing only a squeak that might charitably be called a greeting. Tallon's smile widens, clearly amused by her reaction.
"I'm so glad you could come, Billie. And you brought a friend." He looks around, then waves someone over. "Perfect timing."
The man who approaches is... fuck, there's no other word for it. He's gorgeous in that rough, dangerous way that makes smart girls do stupid things. Bronze skin, black hair that falls past his shoulders, and a build that suggests he could bench press a car without breaking a sweat. Everything about his energy screams predator, but like Tallon, it's clear he's no common shifter. He's easily the second hottest guy in the room.
"Ladies, this is my friend Everen." Tallon's grin is pure mischief. "He was just lamenting the lack of a beautiful omega to keep him company. It would seem the gods have answered his prayers."
Everen takes Olivia's hand, pressing a kiss to her knuckles that has her turning an impressive shade of pink that perfectly matches her shoes. The girl is color coordinated, I'll give her that. "The gods haveexcellenttiming."
"I... you... hi," Olivia manages, and I have to bite back a laugh.
"Would you like a drink?" Everen offers his arm with old-world courtesy. "I promise to return you to your friend in perfect condition."
Olivia doesn't even glance my way before practically floating away on Everen's arm. Which leaves me alone with Tallon, who's watching me with those unsettling green eyes.
