Serenna ripped her eyes away from the depths of the crystal as a shadow formed and shimmered into an outline—a great serpent unfolding its wings. She glanced at Lykor, receiving his expectant stare. Turning her attention back to the relic, she asked, Would the druids have hidden the Hearts in the volcano or jungle cities?
Ifthe druid tribes subdued the whelps from the stars, it is possible they concealed the Hearts in their domains. A shadow darted in Serenna’s mind, a reflection of a reflection, almost giving her the impression of a dragon’s form as it spoke. Search in tempest’s eye, where fury reigns; nature’s roots, the shade of a glade; or volcano’s core, where flames cascade.
The presence dimmed, like one returning to the soft embrace of sleep.
Do you have more information? Where can we find you? Serenna hurried to ask.
Our places of slumber are scattered like the stars. Young draka, return the Hearts—unbind…
Hands shaking, Serenna blew out a held breath as the voice faded. Bracing herself, she turned to Lykor, repeating what she’d heard.
“That fucking glade,” Lykor muttered to himself along with a string of entertaining words that Serenna tucked away for later use. Aiko crawled up his armor, settling on the rim of the sofa. Watching her. “You’re going to search the Slag,” he ordered, rubbing his temples.
“Right now?” She and Fenn hadn’t ventured there. For obvious reasons, not feeling the need to explore the volcano’s magma chambers.
“Yes, right now.” Lykor sat up, suddenly stern. “What else are you doing? Staring at your thumbs?”
Glaring since she didn’t have a rebuttal, Serenna flung a finger in the gesture she’d learned from him.
“Where’s Fenn?” Lykor glanced around, as if only now noticing her guard’s absence.
Serenna shrugged, telling herself she couldn’t be bothered to care. Probably the Lagoon.
She rolled her eyes when Lykor ripped open the sitting room door with a burst of force. Two of Fenn’s sisters hesitantly peeked in from their post.
“Where’s the lieutenant?” Lykor barked, stomping his boots on as Essence vibrated off of him.
Fenn’s sisters shared a nervous glance at Lykor’s magic. Rank silently elected the one wearing more earrings to speak. “He’s typically at the Lagoon at this hour.”
Lykor rose and opened a portal. He gently petted Aiko a final time, the gesture so at odds with his acidic command. “Take the elf and tell that oaf to stop fucking around. He’s back on duty until they locate the Heart.”
Serenna scoffed, folding her arms. “And where are you running off to, dearly bonded?”
“I’m returning to that fucking jungle.” Lykor cinched his shoulders. “Find the Heart here. Swim through that lake of fire if you have to. As soon as we retrieve the relics, we’re crossing the Wastes and leaving this stars-forsaken place.”
CHAPTER 45
SERENNA
At the base of the fortress, not too far from the residential district, Fenn’s sisters shuffled Serenna into a tunnel. Swaying like curtains in a breeze, glowing vines dangled from the cave’s yawning mouth. Serenna ducked under a pair of low-hanging stalactites looming like fangs—fitting for the wraith. Dim teal light emanated from shimmering lichens anchored to the walls, illuminating the way.
Steady drumbeats pulsed through the rocks, nearly pounding in time with Serenna’s thudding heart. This absurd idea of Lykor’s could’ve waited until the morning. She hadn’t intended to ever visit the Lagoon. And that wasn’t curiosity creeping into her thoughts about what occurred here—she’d already gleaned enough from Fenn to know.
Wading through steam, wispy tendrils coiled up to Serenna’s waist. Fenn’s sisters herded her into a cavern, opening up like a gaping maw. Assaulted by activity, Serenna’s eyes couldn’t go any wider. Dragging her feet in protest was pointless—one of her guards hauled her steadily along by the arm.
Serenna began sweating, smothered by the trapped humidity. Brighter than Vaelyn’s turquoise beaches, chalky hot springs twisted around stalagmites, flowing as streams.
Nerves firing, Serenna’s attention ricocheted across the gathered wraith. Heat scorched her cheeks, and it had nothing to do with the stifling temperature.
She didn’t know where to look. No location was safe. Everywhere her eyes skipped, her gaze bounced off scantily clad or completely naked bodies, barely obscured by the cyan waters.
Some of the pools contained groups of raucous wraith, puffing and passing thin, smoking sticks. The sweet floral aromas twined with the cavern’s earthy moisture. Wobbling, Serenna’s pulse quickened as her breaths became erratic. She suddenly felt weightless—obviously addled by the fumes.
Most of the couples and clusters of wraith were engaged in mingling. The writhing bodies and animated moans of pleasure only burgeoned Serenna’s embarrassment into a flustered tangle.
Ripping her astonished stare away from a position that she didn’t even know was possible, Serenna felt the heat of Fenn’s gaze burning into her before her eyes landed on him in an adjacent pool. He had an arm thrown around a male wearing an eye patch, who could only be his partner Koln. Serenna spun to her escorts before she witnessed anything else.
“Can’t you bring Fenn to the entrance?” she squeaked. A pathetic plea. “I—I doubt I’m welcome here.” While no face-painted reavers were in sight, her presence would surely be unwanted—regardless of what Fenn had claimed.
Fenn’s elder sister tightened her claw on Serenna’s arm, denying her retreat. Her eyes glittered, reflecting light from the luminous plants dotted on the ceiling. “Lykor was very explicit about bringing you to our brother.” Neither of her guards had the right to look so pleased by following the order.
Serenna pulled against Fenn’s sister and said, “Well I’m here, so retrieve the lieutenant.” She staggered, not expecting to actually be released. “I’ll be in the tunnel.” Recovering herself, Serenna fled from the erotic chambers before they forced her to go any further.
Or rather, she tried.
Serenna slammed into a solid and wet shadow materializing in front of her. Stumbling back a step, she registered Fenn. Shock nearly punched all the air from Serenna’s lungs. He scarcely wore anything beyond her tether’s key, dangling between the gleaming rings pierced in his chest.
A pillar of carved muscle that could’ve been chiseled from midnight granite, Fenn’s sinewy form would’ve put a sculpted statue to shame. Serenna’s heart thrashed against her ribs like it was the first time she saw him without a shirt. Sharp muscles cut with an excessive number of dips and curves drew her traitorous eyes over the length of his stomach, sweeping over the proudly displayed network of scars.
Mind jumbling into a chaotic knot, Serenna inhaled sharply as the angles of his body yanked her awareness further down. His soaked undergarments were useless at concealing—
Ears on fire, Serenna whirled away before she even braved meeting Fenn’s gaze. She couldn’t decide if it was more distressing to witness the wraith in various stages of passion or to know that Fenn was essentially naked and aroused behind her. Well, what did I expect to see in an obscene environment like this?
She’d beg Fenn’s sisters to return her to the Aerie. That’s what she’d do. Serenna didn’t spare any worry if that made her seem frantic. Looking up at the females, she winced, a petition of desperation. Caging her discomfort between them, Serenna’s unhelpful escorts provided her with wicked grins.
The older sister rolled a braid in between her talons. “You’re back on duty, Fenny.” She shot her brother a smirk over Serenna’s head. “Lykor’s orders are no rest until you find the Heart.”
“Wait!” Serenna pleaded, but her guards vanished, warping away. Eyes wildly searching, running around the steamy chamber like a mouse trapped in a grain bin, she found them shedding their armor, apparently intending to take Fenn’s place in the pools.
