Page 8 of House of Demons and Bones (Shades of Ruin and Magic #5)

7

Barbie

A polite knock sounded on my door, but I burrowed my face deeper into the pillow. I’d barely gotten any shut-eye.

It was nearly dawn when I got back to the House of Mages, raw and pink from scrubbing the fae heir’s scent off me in the lake in Underhill. The moment I crossed the pentagon courtyard and stepped inside the heavily warded lime-and-gold building, Fred, Matt, and three of Cade’s personal guards swarmed me, even after I threw my hands up in surrender.

“His Highness requires your presence, wicked Barbie,” Fred said with a smirk.

“Shit.” I blinked. “At this ungodly hour?”

“Best not keep Prince Cade waiting,” Matt snickered. “You came to us as a criminal. His Highness was generous enough to offer you a second chance to turn over a new leaf.”

“But I’m already a new leaf,” I protested.

“Are you?” They snorted, distrust dripping from their voices as they marched me to the entertainment room on the second floor.

As soon as I walked in, I froze.

Silas and Louis were sprawled on chaises, playing cards with Cade and some new guy, who screamed royalty with his expensive clothes and fancy hairdo. Shot glasses were lined up in front of each player with a graveyard of empty bottles on the side table. Not that it mattered—alcohol barely touched supernaturals, especially powerful princes.

Why had they camped out here instead of going to bed? My stomach dropped as it dawned on me that they were waiting to ambush me. I sighed. A long interrogation was inevitable.

“Get over here, Barbie,” Cade called when I shrank back; the minions had already blocked the exit.

“There she is,” Silas drawled.

Louis raised his gin on ice in a salute. He loved it when I stirred shit, as long as it didn’t hit his house. “Come sit by me, Barbie. I’m worried about you.”

The new guy studied me with interest. He had Cade’s features.

Cade waved his minions out, and they closed the door behind them. I dragged myself to their table and dropped into the empty chair farthest from the heirs, my posture slouching.

“High sirs,” I said. “I’m very tired. It’s good to see you all here, but I need to get to bed. I already missed out on my beauty sleep. Did you know if you don’t crash before eleven, your yin ruins your yang?”

“That’s bullshit,” Silas snorted. “We shifters live for the night.”

Louis narrowed his eyes at me. Right, vampires were creatures of the night by definition, duh.

“Well,” I said. “I tried.”

“Tell us what went down on that rooftop,” Cade ordered me. “We waited here to hear it straight from you, and as a gracious host, I won’t let the other heirs be disappointed.”

I blinked, putting on an innocent look. “Didn’t Sir Rowan fill you in?”

“He ranted, but it made no sense,” Louis said. “Then he told us to ask Killian, saying that the ‘chaos asshole’ had all the answers. We searched Killian’s house, but he wasn’t there. He might be with his women in the demon house. Storming the sixth house would look bad for us. We gotta respect this delicate diplomatic thing until we’re kings.”

My heart stuttered, even though I knew for sure that Killian wasn’t with his betrothed and her ward. He’d promised to end things with her. I’d kept quiet when he made the vow, but I’d watch his actions later. Before I left, Sy, the idiot, had urged me to give Killian a blowjob to make sure he’d do what he’d said. Give him a sample to remember you by, she’d said.

I eyed the heirs warily as they all stared at me, waiting for answers. They wouldn’t let me off the hook until I gave them something to chew on.

“By the time I got to the rooftop, they were wrapping up,” I said.

“Hold that thought.” Cade raised a finger, and I knew what was coming. He always fixated on the technical aspects of spells and wards. “How did you get past their blood ward?”

I shrugged. “You all know wards, spells, and magic don’t work on me.”

“But this was a blood ward cast by two of the most powerful heirs,” Cade pressed.

“So I used my blood to negate theirs,” I offered, showing him my hand. “See the scar from the cut? Hurt like hell.”

Louis nodded. “I smelled your blood when you sliced your palm.” He’d barely kept his shit together as I made it to the elevator.

“My potent blood’s worth more than diamonds,” I said.

Silas and Cade gaped at me incredulously, but Louis nodded knowingly.

“Tastes like a goddess’s,” the vamp prince said, making my heart skip. If he only knew he’d drunk from an actual goddess—the daughter of the God of Ruin, the realm’s greatest enemy.

I still owed him that promised sample. He’d almost gotten it, fangs at my neck, before Killian intervened.

“Now that Barbie’s in Cade’s house, you won’t get another drop from her,” Silas growled at Louis.

“Our house could use your talents,” Cade said, regarding me, his eyes distant, wheels turning in his mind.

Shit! The mage prince was too clever. I couldn’t let him suspect my origin. I flashed him a carefree grin.

“I might be many things,” I said. “Con woman, thief, liar, murderer, shifter, wanderer, or whatever, but I’m always a mage first and a defender of our house and realm.”

Cade gave me a long look. “Of course, and I’d expect no less.”

“So what happened on the rooftop?” Silas cut in. Subtlety had never been his strong suit.

“Total disaster, sir,” I said, and the heirs nodded. They’d seen the aftermath when Killian, Rowan, and I fled. “Repairs will cost millions.”

“Who gives a fuck?” Silas said. “It’s Killian’s money.”

“I give a fuck,” Cade countered. “I invest in his business. Insurance better cover it.”

“It won’t,” Louis said. “Clear vandalism.”

“Killian can be convincing, though. Everyone in the mortal world worships him,” Cade said. “If insurance won’t pay, it’s on him. I won’t take the loss.” He fidgeted with his designer scarf. “I’ll meet with him tomorrow to ensure he handles it properly and keeps his investors, mainly me, happy.”

“Let’s focus on the real issue here,” Louis reminded the rest of the heirs. “The fight between Rowan and Killian.”

I nodded. “Sir Killian was even more unhinged than Sir Rowan.” The shifter prince grunted his agreement. “Pretty sure Sir Killian started it.” At their looks, I threw up a hand. “Don’t ask me why, but they were both mad as bulls, probably arguing over whose dick was bigger. Not that anyone else gives a shit.” I gave the heirs at the card table a pointed look. “You’re all just big boys with big cocks and too much privilege.”

The newcomer laughed. “Does she always talk like this? I’ve heard about her in the realm.”

“Let’s not get sidetracked again,” Cade said, massaging his temples and frowning at me. “Move closer so you don’t have to shout.”

“No one will bite you while I’m here, Barbie,” Louis said and glanced at Silas, and the shifter prince glared.

I scooted forward half an inch. “Better now, good sirs. Anyway, Killian apologized for beating the shit out of Rowan and offered to take us to his resort as a peace offering. Turned out to be some snowy mountain place that froze everyone’s asses off.”

“You three vanished when we hit the rooftop,” Silas said, narrowing his amber eyes. “How exactly?”

I took an exaggerated breath. This secret of Killian’s would tumble out eventually. Queen Lilith and the oracle already knew, and it wouldn’t hurt him if the heirs knew. I needed to give them something big to throw them off my back anyway. The night was almost over, with dawn approaching.

“What, Barbie?” Cade barked, not liking the suspense. “Spit it out and fast.”

“Sir Killian holds a very dark secret,” I blurted out. “I discovered it.”

The heirs straightened. Cade exchanged looks with the others, hesitating. He and Killian were close.

“Maybe we should let him keep it,” Cade said.

“No way. C’mon, Barbie,” Silas pressed. “Say it.”

Cade sighed. “Then we need to swear to keep this quiet. It stays in this room.”

“Fine,” Silas growled, and Louis crossed his heart.

I jerked my chin at the new guy. “What about him?”

“My cousin, once removed,” Cade said. “Jeffrey’s loyal and tight-lipped, like me.”

I swept my gaze over the royals, bit my lip for show, and let anxiety flicker in my eyes. Sy rolled hers.

“Swear you won’t reveal your source,” I said. “The last thing I need is Prince Killian coming after me.”

“He won’t,” Louis said. “I promise.”

But I didn’t trust anyone’s promises.

“Just get on with it, Barbie!” Silas barked, losing patience by the second.

“You’re in my house now,” Cade said. “I’ll take care of Killian. He shouldn’t keep secrets from us anyway.”

“Killian opened a portal to his mountain resort,” I said. “He can do it alone because—” I paused as the royals narrowed their eyes, tired of my games. “He’s Hades’s grandson. The true heir of the Underworld.”

Silence filled the room before the heirs erupted.

“That dick has been holding out on us,” Silas seethed.

“I sensed darkness in him, but…” Cade’s turquoise eyes lit up. “That’s why he could kill the abominations while we had to channel our magic through Barbie to slay them. Hades’s heir. Which means he’s?—”

“What else is he hiding?” Louis asked.

A lot! I thought.

Too much, Sy agreed.

“A demigod.” Jeffrey whistled. “First in the realm.”

“That lying son of a bitch,” Silas spat in envy.

“He didn’t lie,” Louis said. “Just omitted the truth.”

“What’s the difference?” Silas huffed.

“Let’s not argue at this hour,” Cade said. “Let’s take a deep breath and process this calmly and rationally.”

“Well, Barbie.” Silas fixed me with a sharp look. “Was it just the three of you on that rooftop?”

My heart skipped. He was fishing for information on Sy.

I shrugged. “That’s all I saw.” I raised a hand. “I can swear on a Bible if you want me to.” I dropped my hand to my side when he didn’t follow up. “I’m exhausted, and I have class tomorrow.”

I wasn’t physically tired. I’d gotten a good feeding from Sy and Rowan’s coupling. But mentally, I was drained. I just wanted to hit the pillow, and then I’d have more mental energy to process what being the chaos prince’s true mate meant. I turned to look at Cade hopefully, but he didn’t dismiss me.

“Where’s your friend Sy?” Silas asked, and Louis leaned forward.

Sy had left quite an impression.

Inside, Sy perked up.

I yawned, letting an eye droop shut, playing up my fatigue.

“No idea, sir,” I mumbled.

“She seemed close to you,” Silas pressed, watching my reaction. “Even called you Ugly Barbie.”

A muscle twitched under my eye at the insult, and Sy’s guilt rolled off her.

“I defended you,” Louis said. “Called you a fine lady.”

I let my other eye close, refusing the bait. No way was I getting tangled up in their games about Sy. Soon, I added a light snore for effect.

“Interview’s over,” Cade said. “Barbie’s had a rough few days. Let’s cut her some slack. Now, gentlemen, it’s time to leave.” He barked at me. “Barbie, quit snoring and get to your room.”

My eyes snapped open, and I jumped up, snatched the plate of cheese cubes, and bolted for the door. House magic swung it open before I reached it, and I vanished, leaving Jeffrey’s chuckles behind.

A third tap on the door came after I ignored the first two.

“You’re testing my patience, Matt,” I said, my throat still raw. “I haven’t forgiven you and Fred for skipping my breakfast in that jail cell.” Never mind that the cell was decked out like a five-star hotel room, complete with a magical fire in a marble hearth. “I’ve played nice, but you keep pushing it.”

I couldn’t believe how heartless these supernaturals were. I’d stopped a death duel between heirs and saved the day, but here they were, business as usual and expecting me to go to class.

The door creaked open, and Sy hissed.

Shit, I’d forgotten to lock it last night. But whoever entered was about to regret it.

“It’s me,” Bea called before I sent my dark wind to teach the invader a lesson.

I tossed my pillow aside and shot upright.

“Bea?” I rubbed my eyes, hoping I wasn’t dreaming.

Her blue hair billowed in the draft, and her hazel eyes remained warm. It was really her.

“Sorry to wake you, Barbie. It’s mid-morning, so?—”

I leapt from my bed, zoomed toward her before she could blink, and hugged her. She squeezed back, and we clung to each other.

Sy joined our virtual embrace. Love group hugs, so warm, she said.

House magic hummed around us.

When we broke apart and I turned to squint at the window, the curtain parted automatically, letting in generous beams of golden light. Cade had let me skip morning class. He wasn’t as cold as I’d complained earlier.

“I missed you, Barbie,” Bea said.

“Still want to be my friend?” I asked.

She blinked. “Why wouldn’t I? Why doubt our friendship? What happened?”

I spread my arms. “My reputation is worse now.”

She shrugged. “You’ve had a bad rep since day one. Never stopped me before.”

I bit my lip. “I got tossed in the dungeons twice—once for murder. I wasn’t convicted, though, thanks to the heirs defending me.”

“And Prince Killian protected you,” she said. My heart jumped at his name. Only Rowan knew he was my true mate.

I knew too, Sy piped up.

Guilt churned in my gut. I kept so many secrets from Bea, my most loyal friend.

“I just got back this morning.” Bea swallowed. “Heard about your trial. I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you.” Shame and tears filled her eyes.

“Stop that,” I said. “I didn’t want you in that court. Think Medea’s snake hair was creepy? Her mom’s worse. They’d have tried to hurt you to get to me. I’m glad you missed that shit.”

“I heard about Wyatt,” she growled, trying to mimic the shifter prince but sounding more like a spitting-mad bunny. “That ungrateful rat. If he were still here, I’d kick his disloyal butt.”

I blinked. “They kicked him out?”

“He left after Prince Killian banished him. No house would take him after that,” Bea said. “Don’t pity him. You got him into a house, defended him, and he betrayed you.” She rested her hand on my arm. “Not everyone deserves saving. Bad people don’t deserve kindness.”

“Wyatt isn’t a bad person. Just weak,” I said.

“The weak can do more harm.”

“Let’s not waste time discussing weaklings,” I said, smiling at her. “I’m so glad you’re back. A lone wolf needs her pack.”

“We’re mages, and we can take on anything and anyone.” She smiled back. “Hey, I heard your second imprisonment happened in a five-star cell with steamy tea, mountains of cake, and a magical fire. Duke Jeffrey, Cade’s cousin and new security chief, had to boost measures after your prison vacation video went viral. He’s worried every lowlife will commit crimes just to score the same cell.”

“Shit, are you serious? I started a supernatural prison trend?” I said, running a hand through my curls. “Cade said he was afraid that might happen.”

“Can’t blame him,” Bea said. “You hungry?”

“Always.”

“Let’s grab lunch before class, then,” she decided. “Our enemies are saying you’re still locked up. Let them see how amazing you look.”

“I’m not looking that great,” I said.

“Doesn’t matter,” she said. “Just show up.”

With tits up, Sy added.