Whatever waited beyond the end of the tunnel was likely better than what was moving toward us. I heard swords whistling as they were pulled out of their sheaths. They got closer.
///
Sverik jumped.
Hansa followed with a roar that split the air and echoed through the tunnel.
It was too late to turn back or do anything else.
Three more steps, and it would be over, or worse. It didn't matter.
I ran.
I jumped.
The world opened up as I left the tunnel, flailing in midair.
The jungle sprawled below. A river flowed through it, thick and foamy. Water from the castle cascaded into it.
My mind instantly took me to Draven.
I fell.
Jovi
The feast was impressive to say the least. The Lamias had us seated at a large wooden table covered with a plethora of hot dishes, stews, fruits, vegetables and a multitude of nuts and dark breads. Pitchers of sweet tea and cool water with rose petals were being passed around, filling crystal chalices to the brims.
A bright red fire burned in the middle of the table, mounted on a marble plate filled with oil and supported by dozens of raw, unpolished emeralds. Young Lamias moved around, helping with food service. Two harps played nearby.
The sky was black above, sprinkled with stars. The moon was nowhere to be seen.
Anjani sat to my right, and Bijarki sat to my left. Both made me feel comfortable enough to relax, despite the Lamias' lascivious smiles, winks, and air kisses. I was beginning to feel like prey during open season but also mildly flattered, as I had rarely been in the company of so many beautiful creatures. I remembered my night at the Red Tribe and the succubi and their advances. The memory of Anjani's glowing reaction warmed my stomach.
Tamara sat across from us, listening to Bijarki as he told her about our mission, about the Oracles, and about our plan to defeat Azazel. Surprise lifted her eyebrows upon hearing about the existence of my sister and the rest of our group.
"I didn't think there were any Oracles left alive. Or at least free." She smiled, cutting a slice out of an apple and popping it in her mouth.
"We didn't either," Bijarki replied. "The last Oracle Azazel captured was careful to pass on her gift outside of Eritopia. They were raised in a different world, not knowing their true nature."
My eyes drifted around the table, occasionally meeting the glances of Tamara's sisters and the other Lamias seated with us. I felt Anjani's hip pressing into mine, as she pulled herself closer to my side. I couldn't help but smirk as I wrapped my arm around her waist and drew her in.
I looked down at her and found her shooting daggers at me.
"I'm only doing this to protect you," she mumbled. "I'm not sure whether they're all looking at you like that because they want to mate with you or eat you."
I tightened my grip on her, a chill running down my spine as the realization sank in. Perhaps what I'd considered to be salacious gestures were nothing more than the signs of predators eager to drive their fangs into me.
My ego deflated at the thought of becoming someone's dinner. I held Anjani close, thankful to have her with me.
"Tell you what, Bijarki," Tamara said after a while. "I will meet with your Druid and discuss an alliance with him under one condition."
Bijarki nodded, sipping his tea. "Name it. As long as it doesn't involve anyone here eating me."
The Lamias chuckled. Their forked tongues flitted through the air, and their eyes glowed with humor. Tamara grinned, her finger running along the rim of her glass.
"Nothing like that, I can assure you." She sighed. "You mentioned a safe space where the Druid lives. I wish to meet him there."
"That can be arranged." Bijarki looked at Anjani and me.
"Are you sure?" I asked him, wary of the prospect of Lamias discovering our mansion.
"We need to show these fearsome ladies that we are willing to trust them in order for this alliance to work," he replied, then turned his attention on Tamara. "Will that be all?"
She shook her head and snapped her fingers twice in the air. A young Lamia emerged from another table, where she'd been eating with her sisters. She was stunning, with long black hair and amber-almost yellow-eyes with narrow pupils. Her skin was white, adorned with charcoal scales growing up her arms and neck. A single large emerald clasped her red silk dress above her chest.
"My daughter, Eva, will come with us," Tamara said as the young Lamia walked over to our table and sat next to her.
Both Bijarki and I were in awe of the girl's beauty. I could feel the crisp night air filling my gaping mouth, which I instantly shut tight as Anjani's fingers painfully dug into my hip. It took a while for the incubus to speak again. His eyes were fixed on Eva.