Glamour Bites

There was fire everywhere and I could hear screaming. I looked around and saw the brimstone walls of Sheol and knew that I was in trouble.



A rumbling behind me made me turn in time to see Melodux coming at me with fire in his eyes and anger on his face. “You will be mine, Alexia Mooren. Mine for eternity!”



At his words, the fire around me rose and engulfed me. I was screaming, over and over, as the fire burned me, killing me little by little.



I found a happy thought in the darkness and the fire subsided a little. I thought of Cassi, Ian, Harper, and Kingston and all the fun I’d had with them over the last few days. I thought of Karma, Mike, and Greg and how they loved to tease me about myself. The fire slowly disappeared as I thought of the good times, but as I remember the good, I also remembered the bad and the flames grew higher.



I heard a voice in the distance telling me to wake up and that I was safe, but the nightmare had taken over me. I screamed again and felt lips on mine.



I awoke and found Kingston kissing me, trying to wake me up. I smiled and threw my arms around his neck, returning the kiss.



He pulled back and sighed in relief. “I thought you were lost in there forever. I felt Melodux a moment before you started screaming. He knows what you look like now. That’s what the fire nightmare does.”



I sat up and wrapped my arms around Kingston, fear suddenly washing through me. He knew that I had been the demon who had kicked his ass before saving Kingston. I don’t know how I knew, but I knew, and with the knowledge I knew that he was going to punish me before claiming me.



I sat in the warmth of Kingston’s arms and tried to think about what I was going to do when my bedroom door opened and Ian walked in, quickly averting his eyes. “Um, I was coming to see why you were screaming, but I see Kingston has it handled.”



I pulled back from Kingston and nodded. “Nightmare. What’s up?”



“We need to get down to the hospital. Apparently, Karma is awake and has something she needs to tell you.”



I nodded and slid out of bed, not bothering to put clothes on as I moved past Ian into the bathroom. After a quick shower, I threw on some jeans and a tank top before slipping some shoes on and walked into the living room to see both Ian and Kingston waiting for me.



I moved to the door and could feel them both get up to follow, but I turned around and held up a hand. “I think I should go alone. I need to do this alone. Please.”



Kingston nodded and went into the kitchen without argument, blowing me a kiss. Ian, on the other hand, remained standing in front of me, shaking his head. “I don’t think you should go alone, Lexi. It’s not safe any more.”



“Ian, stay here of your own free will or I’ll make you stay here.”



Ian nodded and shook his head. “Whatever. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”



He stormed off and headed into the guest room as I moved out the door and to my Jeep. It was a long, lonely trip to the hospital, but I knew that I had to go alone.



I made my way to Karma’s room and felt the tears in my eyes as I spotted her bruised and cut little body. “Karm …”



“Oh my goddess, Lexi, I thought you were sure to be dead by now.”



“No, I’m still alive, though I’m a little worse for wear than I was before.”



I walked over to the bed and sat down, not expecting the hug she pulled me into. “You have no idea how much I missed you, Lexi. The visions were horrible while I was in that bloody coma. Melodux did this to me, and I know that you’ve met him. Don’t lie to me.”



“I kicked his ass after I found a demon mark in the ruins of the office. It sent me to Sheol where I brought Kingston back with me.” I paused and looked at my hands. “I found out that he wants me. That’s why he did this to you and Mike. Why he hurt Cassi and Harper.”



“Who’s Harper? Cassi’s boyfriend?”



“Actually, yes. He was in the Lycan band you sent me to check out and I introduced them.”



She settled into the pillows and nodded. “Good. She needs someone to love her.”



I nodded in agreement and looked down at my hands. She had told Ian that she had something to tell me. “So what did you have to tell me? Ian said you wanted to tell me something.”



“Oh yeah. A few things actually, only one of grave importance to you.” Karma straightened herself as she always did when giving vital information and laid her hand on her stomach, looking at me. “First off is the important one. There is an entrance to Sheol through the ancient fey mound. The royal family has a spell that only vampyres can use that will defeat demons.”



I shook my head and she stopped, giving me a minute to think about what she was saying. Yes, I could get into the mound to get to Sheol, but to get the spell from the royal family? That was impossible. The Fey Royals hadn’t been in public for centuries. There was just no way. “I can’t, Karma, and you know I can’t. I’m no fey, so they won’t even try to help me. Besides, only vampyres can work the spell. I’m only half vampyre, what am I going to do?”



The look on her face made me remember that I had yet to tell her about my heritage. “So you’re finally admitting what you really are? Half vampyre, huh? Interesting. I would have thought half Lycan. Oh well. As for the Fey problem, just tell them that the Faerie King and Faerie Princess give her express permission to use whatever sources are available.”



“Faerie King and Princess? I don’t know them. Besides, don’t you have to have some special mark to have permission to go anywhere in the Fey mounds?”



Karma smiled at me and nodded, taking my hand and laying a kiss on the back of it. A small leafy vine appeared there in a shade of dark green only a little lighter than her hair color. “You now have the mark.”



I paused for a moment before it dawned on me and I looked at her like I had never looked at her before. I knew nothing concrete about her past, knew nothing about where she came from, her parents, or why her and her brother had left the mound, but this explained so much. “Karma, are you telling me that you’re the Faerie Princess?”



Karma smiled knowingly and nodded. “Yes, Lexi. I’m the princess and Mike is our king. I wanted to tell you, but it never seemed to come up. Now that I know that you’re a, um, Dunpeal, is that what they’re called?” I nodded. “Well now that I know about you, and we need to get rid of some demons, I thought it best.”



“I’m still a little confused about how you expect me to perform the spell? Again, I’m half-vampyre. Not to mention, he’s after me. I can’t go down there alone.”



“Take Cassiopeia and Kingston with you.” I started to object and she held her hand up. “I know that you don’t want to put anyone else in danger, but you need a vampyre with you as well as a demon.”



I thought about it and smiled. “How about Andreas? Can I take him with me? He’s powerful and can easily cast the spell. And what about the Marks for those I take with me?”



“You now have the power to give those you trust to take with you the Mark. You can give up to five people the Mark.” Karma shuttered then shook her head. “Who are you planning on taking with you?”



I let her change the subject and thought about it for a moment. I didn’t want anyone to get harmed, but I couldn’t go alone. Kingston knew Sheol front and back, so he would have to come. Andreas would have to perform the spell, with a little of my blood as help. Ian would be great to have in case of emergency, as would Harper. Cassi wouldn’t let Harper go alone, so I was set with my five.



I looked at her and sighed. “Kingston, Andreas, Ian, Cassi, and Harper. I need them all for something.”



“Good. Oh and the other thing I needed to tell you.”



The door opened and Greg walked in, smile on his face. “Have you told her yet?”



Karma shook her head and smiled. “Just getting to that.” She turned back to me and her smile grew. “Greg and I are going to have a baby.”



I was in shock. I had known that they were having sexual relations, but they hadn’t admitted out loud to anyone, until now.



I smiled and told her exactly how I felt about the news. “Congratulations! This is great, Karma! I’m so happy for you!”



“That’s not all, Alexia.” I turned to Greg as he sat on Karma’s bed. “We would like you to be the godmother.”



I hadn’t thought I could be more surprised, but I was. Me? A godmother? I sat there with my mouth hanging open for a moment before shaking my head. “I would love to, you guys! I would be honored!”



Karma smiled and pulled me into a hug, which Greg then joined, wrapping his large arms around both of us. I heard Karma crying and smiled. “Did you think I would say no, Karm?”



“Yes, Lexi. We’ve always been close, but I didn’t think, after not telling you about my birthright, that you would want to be the godmother.”



“I didn’t tell you about me, so I’m not worried about you no telling me about you. We’re even. Now I have to go, guys. I love both of you and will be back to check on you.”



I stood up and kissed Greg on the check before heading out into the hall, running into Erin.



“Thank God, Alexia. I’ve been looking for you. Carmichael just woke up. He’s … you just have to come.”



Now scared after the good news, I started at a sprint down the hall, following close behind Erin and hoping that nothing was wrong.