Bloodline Alchemy: A Young Adult Urban Fantasy Academy Novel (Bloodline Academy Book 6), Lan Chan [free ebook reader for android TXT] 📗

noticed we had a tail. Turning, I narrowed my eyes at Anastasia. When she got closer, I saw the scar angling out from her left collarbone to the base of her throat. A demon had gotten her good during the attack.

“That looks like it hurts,” I said.

She shrugged. “It looks worse than it is.”

Yeah, right. I knew how deep a wound had to be for it to leave a permanent scar on a shifter. Leaning my head to the side, I took in her denim mini-skirt and sandals. She would turn heads in a potato sack, but she kept tugging at the skirt uncomfortably.

“How long did it take to settle on that outfit?” I asked.

She flashed me her canines. “I’m coming with you whether you like it or not, so you may as well deal with it.”

I pointed at Diana. “I already have a guard. I don’t need or want you sniffing around, either.”

Once my parents and the Sisterhood were released, there was no more need for them to be guarded. Having Diana around made me deliriously happy. Unfortunately, the alpha pair seemed to take delight in agitating me even though I had done a good deed.

“Durin’s orders,” Anastasia shrugged. “If you leave the Reserve, you have to be guarded by one of our own.”

“Screw that.”

“Oh, just let her come,” Diana said. “Just make sure you stay downwind.” This last part was directed at Anastasia.

I flashed Diana my deadliest glare. Through gritted teeth, I hissed at her. “I don’t want her around today.”

I eyed Diana meaningfully. “Oh, you mean on account of how she kept sniffing around your mate even when he showed no signs of interest?” Diana said loudly. She pumped her brows at me.

Anastasia’s jaw locked. “If you had told me about the mating link, I would have backed off.”

I couldn’t deal with this right now. “It doesn’t matter. I’d rather not have you coming with us if you don’t mind.”

“Do you seriously think the whole place hasn’t caught wind of what you’re doing?” Diana gave me a deadpan look that made the heat crawl up my neck and burn the tips of my ears. “That’s it,” I stomped. “I’m going on my own.”

I marched towards the portal that was designated for Rivia. Diana casually strolled behind me. “Sure thing,” she said. “It’s a free portal system, though, so if we happen to show up, don’t be surprised.”

Why had I thought it was a good idea to ask her along?

The atmosphere in Rivia was a far cry from what I was used to. My parents were staying with Basil for the time being, but I had a feeling it would end up being long-term. Like the fens, the sticky taste of ill magic hung in the air here. It wasn’t oppressive like in the fens, but to my human gut instincts, it felt like I should be running in the other direction. The place was up to its eyeballs in wards and sigils.

Every store I passed had a ready-open portal as a getaway just in case. There were as many guards on the street as there were patrons. It was depressing to say the least. And yet, as I made my way to Madame Familiar’s, more than one person I crossed paths with smiled at me.

“That’s so weird,” I muttered. It was no surprise when Diana pulled up next to me.

“Is it?” she asked. “You transmuted the soul of a malachim. And for the first time in six months, they’re angrier than they are scared. The attack on the Reserve was a tipping point. We’ve finally had enough of being pushed around.”

I couldn’t really fathom what she was saying but by then we’d reached the store. The black roses adorning the eaves were in full bloom. They gave off a thick scent of rose laced with something slightly acrid that I remembered from the fens. A demon-repelling agent.

Thankfully, when we stepped inside, it was like nothing had changed. The sweep of sinister magic was blocked out, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

That was until I stepped aside for the statuesque Fae to walk past. She was about seven feet tall with blonde hair that trailed almost to her ankles like a silken sheet. The dress she wore was made of such intricate lace it almost looked like she was wearing liquid armour.

A bit of an inspection of the dresses that were now displayed in the store confirmed my suspicions.

“Wow!” Diana said. She picked up a wicked-looking rapier from the wall beside a light blue gown. Holding the material taut in front of her, she stabbed at it. I expected to see a gaping hole appear in the dress, but no matter how forceful Diana slashed and struck, the dress remained perfect.

Diana tossed the rapier at Anastasia. “Have at it.” She draped the length of the shirt over her torso and Anastasia tried to stab her through it. In the end, the rapier almost bent out of shape.

That was what we were doing when Celine appeared from the back of the store. “Having fun, ladies?” she said, coming up to us.

“Best fun ever!” Diana announced. “I want this in all the colours.”

Celine gave her a gracious smile. “Your father might have other ideas.”

Diana grimaced. “He’s such a tight-ass.”

Celine pulled at her ear. “I seem to recall you tearing the last dress you bought and using it as a rope to climb out of the forbidden chamber.”

Diana’s ears turned pink. “It was just a little bit of fun.”

“I can imagine.” Celine turned to me, her smile warming. “Sophie, my dear. I have exactly what you’re looking for.”

Apprehension flooded my gut. “Umm...I’m not really looking for a dress, per se.”

Her eyes flicked over to Anastasia before she took me by the wrist and led me into the change rooms. “Say no more.”

Oh, I so didn’t want to say anything at all. But she just pushed me into a change room and disappeared. When she returned, it was with starlight in