Page 8 of To Dwell in Shadows (Shadows of Aurelia #2)

W hat did she just say?

Selene watched, slack-jawed as Sam struggled to free himself from the grip of the most beautiful woman she had ever seen. The demon... demoness? She-devil? Hell bitch? Whatever she was, she looked like a Barbie doll dressed as a Greek goddess.

Statuesque and blonde, with big hair, big boobs, and big eyes framed by a dark fringe of lashes.

She wore a short leather skirt above knee-high boots.

A leather harness wrapped around her neck and waist, joined by a central strap that ran down the middle of her chest. Even in the dim light, her breasts were clearly visible through the gauzy top she wore.

“Vanthee… I’m sorry, have we met?” Sam asked.

“No. But your return seals my fate. And yours,” Vanthee breathed. “I’ve dreamed of this day for so long.”

Selene had never been the jealous type, but she urgently needed to let Vanthee know that Sam was spoken for. She attempted to stand, but the action made her so dizzy, she stumbled back to the floor.

Queen Thema placed a hand on Selene’s arm. Artfully, she placed herself between Sam and the demoness. In an authoritative tone she said, “Vanthee, run along and find your queen and king. We have come a long way to see them.”

Vanthee looked at Queen Thema as though she had just noticed there were others in the room.

She studied her for a moment, as if trying to decipher what sort of creature she was.

Queen Thema only stood at eye level with Vanthee’s impressive breasts, but her imposing presence made the demoness take a step back.

“And you are?” Vanthee asked, flexing her wings. Despite their delicate webbing, they looked powerful enough to deliver a black eye with a single thwack. Selene thought she saw the tattoo around Vanthee’s arm move, too, but she could have imagined it.

Queen Thema’s back straightened. “I am Queen Thema, ruler of Malkina in the glorious realm of Aurelia. Also known as Lady of the Flame. The Devouring One. Mother Protector and She of the Change. Most importantly, the favorite sister of your queen. Surely she has mentioned me.”

“Not once.” Vanthee sniffed, then turned to gaze adoringly at Sam. But the moment Selene entered her line of sight, her eyes narrowed, then widened with disgust.

“Is that human… alive?” Her words dripped with disbelief. She pointed a finger at Selene. “Why is she here?”

Sam’s expression turned dark. “This human is my fated mate, Selene. And you will treat her with respect.” He took Selene’s hands to help her stand. She was grateful that his strong arms kept her vertical. “She is the one responsible for bringing me back to the Underworld.”

For a split second, Selene saw Vanthee’s eyes widen with shock before she let out a haughty laugh. “Demons can’t mate with humans. Especially one so… ” She trailed off, her lips curling in distaste as she gave Selene a slow, once-over.

Selene’s jaw tightened. Since claiming Sam as her mate, she had become far more in touch with her anger. And right now, she could think of nothing more satisfying than slapping that smug look off Vanthee’s face.

But since the customs of the Underworld were a mystery to her, diplomacy seemed the wiser choice.

Maybe Vanthee was royalty, and it would be an insult to be rude to her.

Or she could be a demon of Conflict or Insecurity who fed on negative reactions.

Selene had dealt with her fair share of narcissists and bullies and knew not to take their bait.

Pasting on a sunny smile, she said, “Hello, Vanthee, it’s nice to meet you. I’m sorry but Sam isn’t your fated mate—I’ve already claimed him.”

“You’re mistaken,” Vanthee retorted sweetly. She tilted her head up at Sam. “My prince, you didn’t need to bring these… others along with you. You would have been more than welcome on your own.”

Queen Thema placed her hands on her hips.

“I beg your pardon, but Selene and I are esteemed guests. Come now, girl, we are quite weary. Will you not summon your rulers? Or must I do it myself?” She moved past Vanthee to peer down the hall.

“I’m sure Queen Lamia would not want our reunion delayed by your ramblings. ”

Thema’s words seemed to startle Vanthee into action. “All right. I will take you to the king and queen. Their son’s return will bring much joy to our kingdom.”

Vanthee bent to retrieve the torch she had brought. Instantly, the end blazed with fire. “Follow me.”

“Are you able to walk?” Sam whispered into Selene’s hair.

As much as she loved their stairway routine at Queen Thema’s, Selene had a feeling this was not the time to show weakness. “Sure,” she said with false enthusiasm, forcing her legs not to wobble. Sam kept hold of her hand.

They followed Vanthee out of the room and into a dark, narrow hallway.

Vanthee led the way, followed by Thema, with Selene, and Sam bring up the rear.

The smell of dank earth, sulfur, and smoke made Selene’s eyes water.

Vanthee’s torch was the only source of light Selene could see, but she heard lots of scurrying and scraping sounds from the walls they passed.

A hubcap-sized red spider was visible when they turned a corner, and Selene stifled a yelp when something both furry and slimy brushed against her arm.

They passed many closed doors and empty hallways until Sam said, “Why is the east wing abandoned?”

Vanthee paused to face him, her long lashes casting shadows against her cheek. “Because of you, my prince.”

“Me?”

“After you disappeared, the queen and king relocated their personal chambers and closed this part of the palace. It was too difficult for them to pass your bedroom, your playroom, and other quarters dedicated to your amusement.”

“And why were you here?” Queen Thema asked. “Are you a servant?”

Vanthee seemed offended by the question. “I am the Underworld’s Guide. I come to this wing when I wish to be alone and take a break from my duties, if you must know.”

“And what do Guides do?” Queen Thema asked.

Vanthee pulled back her shoulders. “I lead souls who have passed on through our realm by lighting their way with my torch. Then I send them through the doors of their destiny with guidance from my key.” She held out her tattooed forearm.

“Ah, so you’ve been trained as an enchantress,” Queen Thema said.

“No. But I grew up learning a few things about magick,” Vanthee answered vaguely.

Selene estimated Vanthee to be about twenty-five in human years, and wondered how old that was in demon terms.

Queen Thema snorted. “In my realm, one cannot dabble in such arts. Years of dedication and training are required to cast enchantments. And even then, one must be approved by a council of crones before practicing in the community.”

“How quaint,” Vanthee said, turning away to continue their journey .

“It’s not quaint—it’s just good sense.”

“Do your crones have nothing else to do but meddle?”

“Meddle? How dare you imply?—”

The sounds of Vanthee and Queen Thema’s argument faded as Selene peered up at Sam. The corners of his mouth were tight, and a deep line had formed between his eyebrows. When he noticed her looking at him, he whispered, “Once we see my parents, we’ll find you a place to rest.”

“I’m okay. How are you feeling?”

“Better, but… ” He hesitated then said, “That encounter was odd.”

“Yes. Do you remember her? Why would she say she’s your fated mate?”

“I don’t know.”

“She’s quite beautiful,” Selene said, unable to stop herself from fishing for reassurance.

“I disagree.”

Selene smiled at Sam’s matter-of-factness. When she heard a hiss come from Queen Thema’s throat, Selene realized her and Vanthee’s argument was escalating. It might be a good time to change the subject.

“Vanthee, where are the king and queen right now?” Selene asked.

Vanthee turned her steely gaze from Thema to say, “They usually spend mornings in their private courtyard.”

“Is there a way we can go there without passing through the public spaces?” Sam asked. “I would prefer that they are the first to know of my arrival.”

Vanthee’s face brightened. “Of course. I assumed you would want a reunion free from the prying eyes of courtiers. That is why I’m taking you through concealed passages. Look—here is our first doorway.”

Vanthee stopped in front of what appeared, to Selene, to a random spot in the seemingly endless hallway. Then, she raised her right arm, positioning it in front of a small dimple in the brick.

Selene watched with fascination as the snake tattoo on Vanthee’s skin shifted as if it were awakening. The inked head rose up from her flesh into a three-dimensional form. Its tiny tongue flicked out, then struck the stone, sinking in its fangs.

Instantly, the bricks trembled, groaned, and then parted, revealing a hidden doorway.

Vanthee stepped through, her eyes locked on Sam. She lifted her arm, smirking as the snake retracted its head and faded seamlessly back into her skin. “My key.”

Sam hesitated, then cleared his throat. “Uh… thank you. That’s impressive.”

Vanthee’s smirk widened. “I have other skills you might find even more impressive.” Her voice was a sultry purr.

Selene gritted her teeth. Oh, come on.

Vanthee led them through the passage into another hallway, this one colder and more decrepit than the last. She repeated her snake trick several times, unlocking passage after passage, until they finally stopped in front of a towering iron door.

Placing both palms against the metal, Vanthee turned dramatically. “We have arrived. Beyond this door, the king and queen await. It has been an honor to guide you, Prince Samael, and I look forward to growing closer as you settle back into your rightful place.”

Sam exhaled. “Thank you for leading us. But I’m only here to visit.”

Vanthee’s eyebrows shot up. “Is that so? Well, your plans may change when you?—”

“Vanthee!” Selene cried. Her patience had finally snapped. “Shut up and let Sam through. He’s waited for this moment long enough!”

Anger glinted in Vanthee’s red eyes, sending a twitch of fear through Selene. But her words had their intended effect. With a final glare, Vanthee turned back to the door and pressed her tattooed arm against it.

With a low groan, the iron door swung open.