Ivy led us to a large building, probably the palace. On our way I caught glimpses of beautiful gardens. Maybe I could explore them later.

  Inside the building we were led to a throne room. Guards lined the wall and a few well dressed fey were mingling around small tables filled with refreshments. On the throne sat a woman, presumably Lady Izanami. She had long crimson hair, deep red eyes and flawless mint green skin. Her ears were pointed, like an elf. Being an immortal it was impossible to tell her age but she looked like she was in her thirties. She was certainly beautiful.

  As we entered she gracefully rose from her throne. A silver circlet adorned her head. She wore a sleeveless black gown, an interesting choice. Personally I preferred pants but it did look good on her.

  Everyone in the room stopped speaking and started looking at us.

  “Welcome to my home!” Lady Izanami said with a rather melodic voice.

  “Greetings.” I replied.

  “Thank you for this invitation.” Lilith answered.

  “Hi.” Lucy said. “Nice place you have here.”

  “Ah, you must be the kitsune. It has been a long time since I had the pleasure to meet one of your kind.” Izanami said, sounding amused.

  Then she looked at Lilith. “It has also been a long time since I had dealings with the hells. Welcome to the fairy realm.”

  Then she addressed me: “Lady Amaya. I have heard so much about, yet so little.” Her eyes swept over me, as if she was looking for something.

  I shrugged. “I have no court in the fairy realm, in case you were wondering.”

  “I see. Yet you have named a court elemental, a tradition even I consider old. Your chosen knight is a succubus, wearing expertly crafted demonic armour. Maybe your court is simply located elsewhere?” She wondered.

  “We do have a county in the Dominion, does that count?” Lucy asked.

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  “She is in league with hell. She is not even hiding it!” A woman said, rather loudly. I looked in the direction of the noise and found a surprise. A female fey with rather light blue skin and white hair. Her turquoise eyes were cold and she did not seem to like us very much. She was dressed in a white robe and wore a silver circlet as well, one with a nice sapphire in the front.

  “And you are?” I asked.

  “Lady Chione.” She replied.

  “Oh, the lady whose knight ran away!” Shani commented. “Maybe we can slaughter him this time?”

  “Your court is an undisciplined mob. A disgrace.” Chione said.

  “Now now, let’s be calm.” Izanami said. “You are all my guests and I will have no fighting here.”

  Interesting. Chione’s knight Cedric had been inside the lab of the Inquisition. He had claimed to be investigating. I had contemplated the theory that he served Beira, once we discovered her identity, but his mistress was real. Why was she here though?

  “I take it you are not fond of hell, Lady Chione?” Lilith inquired, in a neutral tone.

  “It’s a place of barbarians.” She replied.

  “And fey are so civilised?” Lilith asked.

  Chione looked at me. “Apart from your company, yes.”

  “You seem rather rude, not very civilized in my opinion.” Lucy commented.

  Chione snorted. “You only have two tails. Show your betters some respect.”

  Lucy’s eyes narrowed. “Respect? Let’s go outside and see about that.”

  “No fighting in my home!” Izanami said, putting some magic in her voice.

  “I did suggest outside.” Lucy pointed out.

  “Why is Chione here anyway?” I asked.

  “Lady Chione is here because she contacted me about Lady Beira. We were discussing the situation and what should be done about it.” Izanami said.

  “This is a fey matter and should not involve demons.” Chione said.

  “First, I am a fey and they are with me. Second, demons are involved, you might have noticed that. Third, this matter clearly involves the mortal realm.” I pointed out.

  Izanami nodded. “Lady Amaya does have a point. I have dealings with the Dominion and Lady Beira has certainly caused trouble there. She has interfered with my business. She has also brought the hells into this mess. We should work together to contain Lady Beira.”

  “Contain? She is experimenting on souls. She needs to be neutralized.” Lilith said.

  “A demon shall not be her judge!” Chione protested.

  It might have been a breach of protocol but I unleashed my aura. My eyes started glowing. “Beira has unleashed countless horrors upon the world. She has killed, enslaved and tortured innocents. Even now she seeks dominion over everyone, not just mortals. She seeks the power to rule the fey, all the fey. I will hunt her, I will find her and I will kill her. If you stand in my way, you will face my wrath.”

  “Uh, that’s me! I am the wrath!” Shani started jumping around, waving with the scythe which appeared in her hand.

  Chione stared, her eyes wide. Izanami seemed wary as well. The guards in the room gripped their weapons tighter, not sure how to react. Ivy was next to her lady now. She did not draw a weapon but was clearly preparing for a fight.

  Lucy looked at me with a grin. “I like it when you go all archfey.”

  I blinked and reigned in my aura. The room returned to normal. But I certainly made an impression.

  “Who are you? You are not a lost child. You are not a new archfey, that power felt ancient.” Izanami asked. She did not look afraid, but she was certainly wary now.