Dragon Marked (Supernatural Prison #1)

I sighed, and was proud of the fact I didn’t growl at her. If my question was stupid, her answer was even more so. Apparently she wasn’t finished though.

“There are so many different types, funny, petty, cruel, evil, sweet, and honorable. I’ve never had many friends – we moved around a lot – but there are great people in the human world. I’ve loved, lost, had fights and more fun than I’d ever dreamed I could.” She was studying her hands again. “And through all of my experiences, I still always felt different, living on the outside a little.” She met my gaze. “Guess I finally know why.”

Humans sounded like supernaturals, just with shorter, more fragile lives. We had plenty of drama here also, but maybe not on such a grand scale. We were more patient. Say if we wanted to exact revenge, well, sometimes that could take ten years to play itself out. We had a lot longer to think it through.

“Can you tell me about your world?” she asked, as she studied her fingers. It looked as if she didn’t care, but I knew better. I could see the slight tremble of her hands.

As if they’d been timing their entrance, the front door slammed open.

Maximus’ voice led the way. “Jessa, you okay?” There was a dark warning in his tone.

The four of them prowled their way into the living room. Judging from their expressions, they’d come in here expecting the worst. I guessed they’d heard voices and wondered who else was in their home. The room seemed smaller as they moved into a semi-circle around my back, towering over me and Mischa. She looked a combination of freaked out and awed as she shrank back, her gaze drifting between their four faces.

“Guys, meet Mischa, my sister.” Yeah, I was acknowledging the relationship. Seemed stupid not to. As far as I knew she was just as much a victim of our parents as I was.

A slight smile crossed her face and her eyes lit up, the green so bright, with these fine traces of blue. Damn her for having awesome turquoise eyes.

“So you wanted to know about the supernatural world,” I said, waving a hand behind me. “The Compasses might just be the perfect examples, since they represent four of the five races.”

The quads hadn’t said anything more, they were standing in their ‘intimidation’ pose, faces expressionless, except for the locked-on gaze. No wonder Mischa was cowering like a lamb thrown to the lions.

“Okay firstly as I said, there are five races. The one not represented here are the demi-fey.” I listed out the creatures which fell under this banner. Mischa’s face went a sickly white color as she realized the true extent of our world. “The demi-fey only live within the protected supernatural communities. The few times they have made themselves known to humans … well, let’s just say things went a little haywire.”

I was the queen of understatements. Think Loch Ness, Bigfoot, and gargoyles.

“We have a lot of trolls here. They mine underground for gold and gems. Subsequently everyone in Stratford is filthy rich – not that we have any need for money. Most of the demi-fey are from the dying lands of Faerie.” I stood and moved next to Jacob. He smelled of forest and cold night air; his white-blond hair had a few leaves in it. “And so is Jake. He’s a full fey, descended from faerie.”

“Pleasure to meet you,” he said, smiling at the stunned girl. He flashed two straight rows of very white teeth. Mischa probably didn’t recognize the threat in them.

It wasn’t unusual for the quads to be so protective, but I was a little surprised they viewed any threat in Mischa.

“Fey have a special affinity for nature and the four elements.” I finished.

Jacob quickly demonstrated his skills by calling – one after another – fire, wind, water and earth. The ground rumbled as he shifted the rock beneath us, thankfully he didn’t feel the need to create a full-blown earthquake.

I touched the smooth silkiness of his shirt. “The fey are quite alien. Jake’s been domesticated by his brothers and myself, but generally they stick closely to their own kind and spend lots of weird group bonding time in the forest.” Jacob cuffed me gently behind the ear. “You’re dismissed.” I lifted my hand and waved him away. I felt his chest rumble as he moved back to stand behind the couch.

“Ty,” I raised my eyebrows at him. “Front and center.”

I didn’t shift my head, I could smell the magic coating his skin. He’d been casting spells in the forest. “Tyson is a wizard; they’re magic users. Males are wizards, females witches, and if they’re particularly powerful and advance to the next level, they’re known as sorcerer and sorceress.”

Tyson saluted her, his hands touching the brow of his auburn hair. His honeysuckle eyes watching closely, but he didn’t say anything.

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