I blinked at the three strangers, dumbfounded as I beheld their sharp-featured faces--free of masks. They looked like High Fae, but there was something slightly different about them, something taller and leaner than Tamlin or Lucien—something crueler in their pitch-black, depthless eyes.
Faeries, then.
The one grasping my arm smiled down at me, revealing slightly pointed teeth.
"Human woman," he murmured, running an eye over me. "We've not seen one of you for a while." I tried yanking my arm back, but he held my elbow firm.
"What do you want?" I demanded, keeping my voice steady and cold.
The two faeries who flanked him smiled at me, and one grabbed my other arm--just as I went for my knife.
"Just some Fire Night fun," one of them said, reaching out a pale, too-long hand to brush back a lock of my hair.
I twisted my head away and tried to step out of his touch, but he held firm. None of the faeries near the bonfire reacted--no one bothered to look.
If I cried for help, would someone answer? Would Tamlin answer? I couldnt be that lucky again; I'd probably used up my allotted portion of luck with the naga.
I yanked my arms in earnest. Their grip tightened until it hurt, and they kept my hands well away from my knives. The three of them stepped closer, sealing me off from the others.
I glanced around, looking for any ally. There were more nonmasked faeries here now. The three faeries chuckled, a low hissing noise that ran along my body. I hadn't realized how far I stood from everyone else--how close I'd come to the forest's edge.
"Leave me alone," I said, louder and angrier than I'd expected, given the shaking that was starting in my knees.
"Bold statement from a human on Calanmai," said the one holding my left arm.
The fires didn't reflect in his eyes. It was as if they gobbled up the light. I thought of the naga, whose horrible exteriors matched their rotten hearts. Somehow, these beautiful, ethereal faeries were far worse.
"Once the Rite's performed, we'll have some fun, won't we? A treat--such a treat--to find a human woman here."
I bared my teeth at him.
"Get your hands off me," I said, loud enough for anyone to hear.
One of them ran a hand down my side, its bony fingers digging into my ribs, my hips. I jerked back, only to slam into the third one, who wove his long fingers through my hair and pressed close. No one looked; no one noticed.
"Stop it," I said, but the words came out in a strangled gasp as they began herding me toward the line of trees, toward the darkness.
I pushed and thrashed against them; they only hissed. One of them shoved me and I staggered, falling out of their grasp.
The ground welled up beneath me, and I reached for my knives, but sturdy hands grasped me under the shoulders before I could draw them or hit the grass.
They were strong hands--warm and slender. Not at all like the prodding, bony fingers of the three faeries who went utterly still as whoever caught me gently set me upright.
"There you are. I've been looking for you," said a deep, sensual female voice I'd never heard.
But I kept my eyes on the three faeries, bracing myself for flight as the female behind me stepped to my side and slipped a casual arm around my shoulders.
The three lesser faeries paled, their dark eyes wide.
"Thank you for finding her for me," my savior said to them, smooth and polished. "Enjoy the Rite."
There was enough of a bite beneath her last words that the faeries stiffened. Without further comment, they scuttled back to the bonfires.
I stepped out of the shelter of my savior's arm and turned to thank her.
Standing before me was the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen.
Everything about the stranger radiated sensual grace and ease. High Fae, no doubt. Her long black hair gleamed like a raven's feathers, offsetting her pale skin and blue eyes so deep they were violet, even in the firelight. They twinkled with amusement as she beheld me.
For a moment, we said nothing. Thank you didn't seem to cover what she'd done for me, but something about the way she stood with absolute stillness, the night seeming to press in closer around her, made me hesitate to speak--made me want to run in the other direction.
She, too, wasn't wearing a mask. From another court, then. A half smile played on her full lips.
"What is a mortal woman doing here on Fire Night?"
Her voice was a lover's purr that sent shivers through me, caressing every muscle and bone and nerve. I took a step back.
"My friends brought me."
The drumming was increasing in tempo, building to a climax I didn't understand. It had been so long since I'd seen a bare face that looked even vaguely human.
Her dress--black and finely made--was cut close enough to her body that I could see how magnificent she was. As if she'd been molded from the night itself.
The dress was tight fit, clinging to her impressive curves. The low cut showed off the swell of her breasts.
"And who are your friends?" She was still smiling at me--a predator sizing up prey.
"Two ladies," I lied again.
"Their names?"
She prowled closer. I retreated a little more and kept my mouth shut. Had I just traded three monsters for something far worse?
When it became apparent I wouldn't answer, she chuckled.
"You're welcome," she said. "For saving you."
I bristled at her arrogance but retreated another step. I was close enough to the bonfire, to that little hollow where the faeries were all gathered, that I could make it if I sprinted. Maybe someone would take pity on me--maybe Lucien or Alis were there.
"Strange for a mortal to be friends with two faeries," she mused, and began circling me. I could have sworn tendrils of star-kissed night trailed in her wake. "Aren't humans usually terrified of us? And aren't you, for that matter, supposed to keep to your side of the wall?"
I was terrified of her, but I wasn't about to let her know. "I've known them my whole life. I've never had anything to fear from them."
She paused her circling. She now stood between me and the bonfire--and my escape route. "And yet they brought you to the Great Rite and abandoned you."
"They went to get refreshments," I said, and her smile grew. Whatever I'd just said had given me away. I'd spotted the servants hauling off the food, but--maybe it wasn't here.
She smiled for a heartbeat longer. I had never seen anyone so gorgeous--and never had so many warning bells pealed in my head because of it.
"I'm afraid the refreshments are a long way off," she said, coming closer now. "It might be a while before they return. May I escort you somewhere in the meantime?"
She offered me her arm. She'd been able to scare off those faeries without lifting a finger.
"No," I said, my tongue thick and heavy.
She waved her hand toward the hollow--toward the drums. "Enjoy the Rite, then. Try to stay out of trouble."
Her eyes gleamed in a way that suggested staying out of trouble meant staying far, far away from her.
Though it might have been the biggest risk I'd ever taken, I blurted, "So you're not a part of the Spring Court?"
She returned to me, every movement exquisite and laced with lethal power, but I held my ground as she gave me a lazy smile.
"Do I look like I'm part of the Spring Court?" The words were tinged with an arrogance that only an immortal could achieve. She laughed under her breath. "No, I'm not a part of the noble Spring Court. And glad of it." She gestured to her face, where a mask might go.
I should have walked away, should have shut my mouth. "Why are you here, then?"
The woman's deep set eyes seemed to glow--with enough of a deadly edge that I backed up a step.
"Because all the monsters have been let out of their cages tonight, no matter what court they belong to. So I may roam wherever I wish until the dawn."
More riddles and questions to be answered. But I'd had enough--especially as her smile turned cold and cruel.
"Enjoy the Rite," I repeated as blandly as I could.