Page 69 of As Above, So Below

Before I’m able to throw myself into the thought seeking an answer to the question, Eve’s laughter catches my attention.

“There you are!” she calls from behind, and I whirl around on my toes.

“We thought you’d gotten lost!” Cora adds from beside Eve. “All that’s left is the Weaving, and then you’re officially a temple member.”

“Twice now the Weaving has been mentioned today, and twice now no one has explained what it is,” I counter with a cool stare.

Eve shoots me a devilish grin. “It’s the opportunity to dance and drink and have a good time.”

“The dance weaves you into the family!” Cora adds gleefully, throwing her arms out emphatically. “I adore the Weaving. It’s where Eve and I met five years ago.” She takes Eve’s arm, giving it an affectionate squeeze.

“I have a weakness for timid little human women,” Eve says with a smirk.

Staring at Eve and Cora with curiosity, I wonder the kind of scrutiny they endure considering the history between humans and fae.

I’d heard of fae-human pairings, none of them pleasant in thehistory books I’ve read. Humans possess the ability to reproduce with nearly any creature: fae, demon, vampire, dwarves, elves to name a few. Their offspring demi or half breeds. For a time, humans were hunted and kept in herds for this. I resist the demonic urge to ask bluntly.

“Come on,” Eve urges with a grin as she grabs my arm. Cora grabs my other. “You can’t spend the entire night hiding in the shadows.”

“Let me prove you wrong,” I mutter, mostly to myself.

Both Eve and Cora hear my words and laugh as they begin pulling me toward the sanctum end of the gardens. A large congregation of members, a mixture of black and silver robes, stand with their hoods now lowered, chatting and drinking with one another. Within the mixed crowd the eight others robed in white are easy to spot.

Magelights float above them, creating a silvery, shifting light as they sway in the breeze. The sounds of their conversations grow clearer as we draw near, their laughter floating through the garden. To the right of the gathering, a few temple members begin playing on stringed instruments and drums, filling the air with upbeat, joyous music.

This is unlike any gathering I’d ever attended in the hells.

No fighting, no debauchery, no orgies.

“You look like you’re about to be sick,” Cora notes, keeping her voice low.

“It’s been a while since I’ve attended a social gathering,” I answer truthfully as my eyes sweep over the crowd.

“We’ll get through the Weaving and we can leave.” Cora gives my arm a reassuring squeeze. “Not that I think anyone will, but if someone says or does something to offend you, I’m sure Eve will have no issue taking care of it.”

Eve laughs and gives me a playful wink. “I doubt you’ll need me to protect you from anything.”

Throwing Eve a glance I say, “I might. My innate feels stifled here.”

“We all have limits on our innate, some higher than others, but it can be worked on,” Eve replies with a firm nod. “If you want, we can work on that together in the morning.”

The offer, I know, is meant in earnest. Yet another kindness no demon would ever think to bestow. But the thought of taking innate lessons from a mortal causes me to recoil internally. The audacity of a fae female believingshecan teach me anything about magic rubs me the wrong way rather aggressively. My silence on the matter is a returned kindness, whether she realizes it or not.

As we walk through the gathering, multiple sets of eyes land in my direction. Faces turn, conversations hush, and I feel a burning in my cheeks. This has to be the result of them seeing my silver blood—or perhaps it’s because I’m a walking clone of their matron goddess.

A few of the people greet us as we walk by, sending an acknowledging smile or bob of the head. Finally, we approach Artemise, Opal, and Aenwyn near the center of the gathering, as they enjoy glasses of wine. Artemise spots us first and greets us with a gentle smile. The others turn to greet us with their own smiles.

“We were concerned we had lost you,” Artemise says with a laugh as both Eve and Cora release my arms.

“I admit, I had hoped to spend the rest of the night watching the stars,” I offer a half-hearted smile, “but Eve and Cora tell me that I have to participate in the Weaving.”

Opal extends her arm, offering me a glass of wine. “It goes quickly and is just an opportunity for others to meet you officially.”

“I’m surprised the entire temple isn’t here lining up to meet her. It’s hard to miss the silver-haired female that looks like Celesta walking around,” Aenwyn laughs goldenly.

Taking the glass filled with the light pink liquid, I draw it up to my nose. It smells good enough, a light floral scent. It’s quite unlike the pungent dry wines offered in the hells, which were often mixed with blood.

Lifting the glass, I test its flavor. It’s light and crisp, fruity and floral. A strange concoction indeed—but not a flavor I immediately hate. I wouldn’t say I enjoy it, but it doesn’t turn my stomach.