Entwined Realms Volume One(76)

“Which means you are denying me?” Fallon asked, and smiled. Larissa had seen rabid dogs snarl with more warmth. “After the day I’ve had, that is excellent news.”

The stone giants took a step forward.


Inside the club, the silvery curtains that separated the front doorway from the club entrance billowed inward as Seemus crashed between them. He landed on the edge of the dance floor, out cold. If any of the beings noticed, it didn’t stop them from dancing.

Fallon came through the door, stepping on Seemus’s body as she entered. Aislynn was a little gentler, stepping over the unconscious man and directing Larissa to do the same.

Aislynn kept a hand on her elbow, but that pressure was nothing in comparison to all the other stimuli. Breathing wasn’t the best idea here, as thick smoke and the earthy, sharp smells of herbs and spices – even money most were of a narcotic nature – clogged her sinuses. The lights went from too bright to deepest dark and back again in seconds, not letting eyes adjust. Underneath the too-loud music were snippets of conversation in dozens of languages, with most of them not in a human dialect.

Fallon led the way, her gait steady and sure as she made a path toward the back of the club, seeming not to take in any of the sights, though how she could be immune to the sight of the tall elf in a tuxedo dancing with the short, bearded dwarf in a wedding dress was a mystery.

What kind of place was this?

Better question, what kind of woman was this Oracle?

Fallon reached the back and flung aside a set of dark silk curtains to reveal a door. Without knocking, she opened it and stepped inside.

It was 1001 Nights in live action. Everyone here wore body-baring, jewel-toned outfits right out of a harem scene.

By the heat suffusing her face, Larissa knew she was sporting a mighty blush. Their actions belonged in a harem, people all around engaging in acts of hedonism that would make the most jaded courtesan blush.

Dear gods, I never knew a man could do that. I need to find another cuss-out when some guy makes me really mad…

“So why the hell did we need to come here to you?”

Fallon’s pissed-off voice knocked through Larissa’s shock. It took a few moments to focus on the swordswoman, standing a few feet away from a teal blue settee that adorned the middle of the room. The settee was surrounded by men and women, all of them tall and lithe and so beautiful Larissa had to check the urge to smooth her hair and clothes in their presence. The way Fallon stood blocked the person she was talking to.

A few steps closer, and the face of the Oracle came into view.

She looked human to Larissa’s eyes – and it wasn’t as if she was wearing a lot of clothing to hide any parts that might not be – but her coloring could best be described as dipped in gold. Velvety brown skin, thick dark hair, near-black eyes, but all held a deep golden sheen that was as beautiful as it was unusual. The woman was beyond stunning.

The Oracle said nothing at Fallon’s outburst. The men and women surrounding her paid no attention to the swordswoman. They kept massaging the Oracle, the oil they used smelling sickly-sweet to Larissa’s overworked nasal passages. When the Oracle tilted her head back, a man took the opportunity to lean in and press his lips to the hollow of her throat.

After long moments that had Fallon growing more agitated by the second, the Oracle finally spoke. “Oh, Fallon, you’re here.”

It looked like Fallon was tensing to attack the woman, but before she could, Aislynn sidled alongside her and grabbed her shoulder. “Let me take over now,” she said to the redhead. Fallon’s eyes still blazed, but she nodded, taking a step back.

Aislynn kneeled in front of the Oracle. “Great Oracle, we have come as requested.”

The Oracle’s attention was still on Fallon. She smiled, a lift of her lips designed to irritate. “You see, Fallon, this is how I should be approached. Watch and learn.”

Fallon ground her teeth together and bent forward, her sword hand giving a little jerk.

Without turning, Aislynn lifted her hand and motioned Fallon to stay back. This scene or some variation thereof had to be a popular one.

The Oracle turned her attention to the elf and graced her with a blinding smile. The Oracle was a beautiful woman, but when she smiled she transformed into otherworldly. “Dearest Aislynn, it is so good to see you.”

“It is always an honor to be in your presence,” Aislynn replied. The words were said with the perfect balance of sincerity and warmth, and what should have sounded forced and phony became a lovely sentiment.

That dark-gold gaze turned toward Larissa. “Larissa Miller,” the Oracle said. She had a rich, cultured voice, and Larissa straightened at the sound of it, half-remembered lessons in manners taking over. The Oracle smiled, and damned if it didn’t look like she heard Larissa’s thoughts. “It is lovely to meet you. You wouldn’t believe how many people have you in the center of their minds right now.”