Immortals After Dark 03 - No Rest for the Wicked

up and so easily announce that they weren’t.
    When he’d been out among humans, feeling that he was a predator, he might actually have been among other creatures entirely and never known it...
    Sebastian’s adversary emerged from the shadows. “Bowen MacRieve of the Lykae Clan.” He had a Scottish accent but didn’t differentiate his clan as being from Scotland. Are all werewolves Scottish? Sebastian thought, half delirious. Well, why the fuck not?
    Under her breath, the woman with Mariketa muttered, “Bowen? I hardly recognized him since he’s lost so much weight.”
    He’s been bloody bigger than this?
    “Then we just got another contender. Gods, he’s a ruthless one. Amazing. The blogs will go wild over this.”
    Who are the Blogs?
    Sounding as if she barely moved her lips, Mariketa muttered back, “Why does he keep staring at me?” Indeed, the Scot was staring, scowl in place.
    The woman shrugged, seeming stumped as well.
    Demons of all shapes and sizes from monarchies of demons, or the “Demonarchies,” announced their intent to compete. A female who resembled Kaderin’s kind, with large luminous eyes and pointed ears, was representing the “Noble Fey and all Elvefolk.” When she acknowledged Kaderin with a dignified bow, Kaderin inclined her head graciously.
    She respects that competitor?
    “Any others?” Riora asked.
    Silence. They all glanced around. When he stood, Kaderin’s eyes widened, and she slowly shook her head at him.
    “I’m Sebastian Wroth, and I enter as well.”
    Kaderin briefly raised her face to the glass ceiling.
    Muted hisses accompanied his announcement but fell silent wherever he glowered. Clearly, being a vampire had earned him seething hatred in this realm, but it seemed it also earned him some power.
    “Which faction do you represent?” Riora asked in an amused tone.
    He stared at Kaderin as he spoke. “None.”
    “Ah, but you must to enter. A sponsorship of sorts.” When he turned back to her, Riora nodded winningly and added, “Like cotillion. Or AA.” Then her eyes bored into his as if she could see into his mind.
    “He’s a Forbearer, Riora.” Kaderin stood. “A turned human. It’s against the law to teach him about this world, and he will learn much in this competition.”
    “Is this true?” Riora asked.
    “I do not align with them.” Who to represent now that he’d renounced the Forbearers? That left the Horde, which was as unthinkable an option as the Forbearers.
    Then... an idea. A gamble. He turned to Riora. “I represent you.”
    Riora pressed her splayed fingertips to her chest. “ Moi ?”
    Murmurs erupted. The nymphlike women snickered.
    Kaderin shot to her feet. “He can’t represent you, Riora. You are not a faction.”
    “Why, my cold Kaderin, I think you are deeming it impossible .”
    Kaderin seemed to flinch at the word, parting her lips to argue—
    “He was a knight,” Riora said.
    How in the hell does she know that? Suddenly, he recognized the only explanation. Because she is a goddess.
    “He has pledged his sword to me, and I accept.”
    More murmurs. Kaderin looked as if she’d been slapped. She shot him a look of pure menace.
    “Excellent,” Riora said with a clap. “Two powerful newcomers to the games.” Riora gave Kaderin a speaking glance. “Finally, we might have a real competition.”

12
    B y entering the Hie, the vampire had just safeguarded his life from every competitor, including Kaderin, at least until the finals.
    By representing Riora—a bloody brilliant move—he’d protected himself against the most egregious treacheries from all competitors.
    The infuriating vampire was proving difficult to dismiss.
    Kaderin was beginning to really remember infuriating . Quite akin to frustrating. She had those two down.
    She dropped from the rail once more, intent on reaching the altar to collect her scroll. She waded past obsequious beings, desiring to pay their respects to her, to the Accord, and to the great Freya and mighty Wóden—as if Kaderin could simply text-message two sleeping gods.
    “Katja,” the vampire said, cutting a path through the crowd as beings dove and cowered from him.
    “That’s not my name,” she snapped without slowing, but he easily fell into step with her. When did it get so hot? She found herself knotting her hair up. “Tell me, leech. Did you enter to keep Bowen from killing you or to prevent me?”
    “Leech?” He frowned, then seemed to shake off her insult.