Page 133 of Song of Her Siren

I wasn’t sure how to answer. Had I? “Not really, but we had an uneasy truce until she started flirting with Helian,” I said. “She knows now that Thorin tricked her. She’s still evil, but she listens to Shiri—usually.”

Her brows dipped beneath her silvery hair. “Our priestesses say the demons will converge on Thebes.”

My heart beat an unsteady rhythm. As much as I dreaded returning, we had to get back to Thebes. “The older satyrs at Dunhull awoke from Thorin’s spell this morning, so we’re assuming he’s dead,” I told her, “and the demon mistress took his powers for herself.”

She grimaced. “Our seers have said the same. The demons are preparing to attack.”

“Can you tell me what your seers saw?” The seers here seemed to be more open than the priestesses in Thebes. I wondered if it was because they didn’t trust their queen with their visions.

“They saw you coming today,” she answered. “They said the human race south of the Periculian Mountains has been wiped out.”

A gasp escaped me as I gaped at Finn. “All of them?”

“Yes.” Shadows eclipsed her eyes. “They were either turned to demons or demon food.”

“Elements.” I swallowed back bile. The human race feared and persecuted Fae and witches, but I’d lived with them for two years while disguised as a human. Many of them I’d considered my friends, though those friends would’ve probably hung me from the nearest tree if they’d discovered my true identity.

“They also say the demon mistress was weakened when Lady Arabella attacked her,” she continued.

Finn squeezed my hand tight, giving me a hopeful smile. One more reason to be obligated to Arabella, though if it gave us an edge in this war, it was worth it.

“Interesting. Weakened, how?” Finn asked. “Is she injured?”

Esther nodded. “She was forced to cut her recovery short and take Thorin’s memories because of a threat from another demon.”

A jolt of venom coursed through my veins. “What demon?”

The satyr visibly swallowed. “The Lord of all Hell.”

“Elements,” I breathed. For some reason, that demon living inside Drae came to mind.

“He is here,” Esther continued.

“Where?” Finn asked.

I tensed. I already knew, for I remembered how easily that demon inside Drae had taken over his body, leaving no trace of my sister’s mate. The demons in Arabella and Helian hadn’t done that to their hosts, but this parasite was far more powerful.

Esther and I shared a knowing look. “Inside Drae,” I whispered, my heart sinking when Esther nodded.

Finn cursed. “I hope Shiri can get it out of him.”

I didn’t like the way Esther averted her gaze. Had she seen otherwise? I was too much of a coward to ask. Losing Drae would devastate Shiri.

“Have you been drinking the tea?” Esther asked, wisely changing the subject.

“No.” I inwardly winced, knowing I was vulnerable to this demon mistress, but I was susceptible either way. I’d rather have access to my magic. Seconds counted when battling demons. “It slows my magic too much. We almost lost our lives because of it.” I stifled a yawn. “And I swear it’s made me more tired.”

“I understand,” she answered while letting Kaida help her stand. “The tea has that effect. It slows magic, but sometimes it can also cause fatigue.”

I gaped at her. “How long does the fatigue last?” And why hadn’t she warned me before?

“Usually only a few weeks.”

“A few weeks!” I blurted. “I don’t have time to be tired. I have a war to win!”

Esther frowned. “I apologize. A stimulant like coffee or a strong tea should help, though no more than a cup a day.” She motioned toward my stomach. “Too much isn’t good for the baby, though don’t forget the pregnancy could also be making you tired.”

“I know. Thank you,” I said. I had never been much of a coffee drinker, but I was desperate. I hoped it worked.

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