Page 385 of Bitten By the Fae
“We’re going to the Hell Fae realm?” It came out as a question, but I meant it as more of a statement. Because that was the only explanation for what they were saying. “The other Midnight Fae Academy is hidden… in the Hell Fae realm?”
Zakkai and Shade both looked at me with expressions that said,Obviously. But only Zakkai actually said the word out loud.
“How long has this paradigm existed?” I wondered out loud.
“Zenaida arranged it with Lucifer about seven hundred years ago, right?” Zakkai casually asked the question, like this wasn’t a big reveal or life-altering information.
“Roughly,” Shade replied.
“That’s where you disappear to,” Zeph said. “You shadow off to the other Academy.”
Shade lifted a shoulder. “On occasion. But not for classes.”
“And my grandfather knew.” The words came out slowly, my mind failing to believe them even as I voiced them.
“Yes. My grandmother lives nearby.” His icy eyes went to Aflora. “It’s where Aflora’s meadow is, too.”
“In the Hell Fae realm?” she whispered, her head leaving my chest so she could look at the Death Blood. “That’s where the paradigms are for the Quandary Bloods who prefer reformation over retribution?”
Shade dipped his chin. “Yes. Lucifer already gave you entry as a marked abomination. As you’re probably aware, he has a soft spot for them.” His gaze lifted to mine. “Which is how I negotiated your entry as well. Zeph was the primary issue.”
“Well, in that case, I refuse my meeting with Lucifer and Zeph can stay here,” Zakkai replied.
Aflora bristled in my arms, her attention shifting from Shade to the Quandary Blood. “Kai.”
“I’m joking, little star.”
“Hilarious,” Zeph deadpanned. “Can we go now? The defenses are beginning to fail again.”
Aflora nodded. “Yes, I feel them crumbling.”
“Shade?” Zakkai prompted.
“Already working on it.” The Death Blood’s voice sounded strained, his eyes closing on a grimace.
Frowning, I locked into my link with him and noted his waning energy reserves.You need more power.
He grunted in reply, our mental connection firmly intact even at the first-level mate-bonding.
Take some vitality from me,I told him.
You’re not the one I need to tap into, he replied, shutting me out with a click of a door.
I scowled. “Don’t be a stubborn dolt,” I told him out loud since I couldn’t voice it in his mind. I didn’t know how he’d blocked me out, but it was a trick I wanted to learn.
“Fuck off, Kols,” he gritted out.
“Shade,” Aflora said, slipping away from me to reach for him. “What do you need?”
“Power,” I answered for him. “His reserves are depleted from whatever he’s been doing for the paradigm.”
“I’m fine,” he snapped.
“You’re not fucking fine. You’re on the verge of passing out.” This whole solitary operation needed to stop. We were a unit now—all of us—and it was time we all accepted it. “Let us help you, Shade. We’re your mates.”
“He’s right,” Zakkai said, surprising me. “You’re hurting all of us by saying you’re fine when you’re not. Do you need Aflora’s blood?” He studied the other man. “Yeah, that’s what you need. Not much, just enough to push forward.” He nodded to Aflora. “Don’t let him refuse.”
She grabbed Shade before he could even try to argue, her lips finding his on a demanding kiss. A hint of metallic blood tinted the air, suggesting she’d bitten her tongue prior to embracing him. His responding groan confirmed it, his arm circling her waist as he indulged in the essence she fed him. Zeph’s arm came around my upper body in a partial hug, his chest meeting my back. I relaxed into his familiar embrace as Zakkai moved forward.
