That explained why Jo had seen so many more freaks there. “How many dimensions are there?”
“Some say the number is infinite. Many remain unexplored.”
Infinite. Whoa. How cool would it be to explore new worlds? Maybe with the guy at her side.
“We near the covey.” He pulled up his collar to conceal his bite mark.
“You embarrassed by that?”
He turned to her, his voice going deeper. “Just the opposite. I have a beautiful vampire who can’t keep her fangs out of me.”
That’s fair.
“But I don’t want to reveal what you are. Of all the species nymphs fraternize with, vampires are among the least welcome, have been known to drink a nymph dry. You have clear eyes, and you lack a vampire’s scent, so you shouldn’t have any problem passing for another species. I also don’t want to reveal your immunity to my baneblood, not until I figure out the other half of your hybrid.”
“Got it. I’ll try not to shotgun-drink a nymph while I’m here.”
Giggling females traipsed through the mist nearby, wearing wispy dresses that looked like they’d been fashioned from the fog itself. Silvery fringe jewelry dangled from their ears, with more pieces in their hair.
Jo wore jeans, combat boots, and a ratty Red Flag T-shirt.
The nymphs joined a group of burly demons with curved, shell-colored horns. Those horns were seriously badass. Jo tilted her head. What would they feel like?
She sensed Rune’s gaze on her. She was used to spying at her leisure. Now he was watching her watch others.
Farther along the meadow, they came upon another group. She blinked. Couldn’t be seeing right.
Centaurs were mounting ecstatic nymphs. “How is that even possible?” Centaurs had been in Tortua, but seeing them midmount, or whatever, made her squeeze her legs together—the way guys did when racked.
Rune glanced away. “An immortal body is capable of unbelievable things.”
“I guess you see nymphomaniac orgy scenes like this all the time.” He starred in scenes like this.
“You haven’t? Loreans aren’t shy. And nymphs can be witnessed fucking everywhere in the Lore. Especially in a pocket realm like this.”
“Pocket what?”
He exhaled. “I can’t remember when I last met someone so unacquainted with the Lore. A pocket realm is a dimension that shares the same characteristics of Gaia. Same sun, moon, stars, weather, et cetera.” He cocked his head. “You’ve obviously been sheltered, and you’re only twenty-five. That makes me wonder how many lovers you’ve had.”
She jutted her chin. “Three.”
He laughed. “Three? Yet more evidence you were raised among monks.” He again muttered, “Three,” as if that were the punch line of a joke. “How long has it been?”
“A while.” What would he think if she told him she’d only had sex a handful of times? “How many have you been with?”
“Can’t count that high.”
“That’s the same answer you gave me when I asked how many you’ve killed.”
All his previous good humor disappeared. Casting her a strange look, he said, “You’d be amazed how closely tied those two numbers are.”
No. No, she wouldn’t. Jo knew some of the specifics. She considered confessing to the dreams, but reminded herself that four days ago he’d reached for his knife—because he’d suspected she might be a cosaş.
Probably not best for their burgeoning relationship if he again decided to kill her.
They approached a clearing in the mist, spread over a section of the meadow. The fog floated above, resembling a giant awning. In the center, a fountain flowed with wine. Nymphs congregated there, like super-models at a vino convention.
“Rune!” one squealed.
The rest cried his name and clapped excitedly. When they jumped up and down, their cloud dresses slipped, boobs flying.
They acted like a rock star had entered the premises.
Nymphs surrounded him, jockeying for position, crowding Jo out of the way. With worshipful expressions, they petted his arms and chest. Each promised him secrets. They definitely had his number.
And I thought I could get Rune to fall for me? Stupid Jo. Why on earth—or anywhere else—would a male give up this kind of lifestyle?
“Doves, I’m here to find a demon,” he told them, and they quieted. “One who can trace me to every continent in Gaia.”
“I know of one,” said a nymph with an arrangement of thick blond braids piled atop her head. “What would that information be worth?”
Was the chick angling for Rune to screw her? Would he?
“It’d be worth a small favor,” he said smoothly. “I can find a demon on my own, but I’m asking you ladies in order to save time. Which also means I can’t linger here as I normally would.”
Jo could just imagine him lingering. How would a one-man orgy work? Would it be a nymph free-for-all? Maybe they lined up the way they had in the courtyard. Her fangs sharpened with aggression.
As much as she liked Rune, she would never share a man. So unless he could keep it zipped, she’d have to move on. Which might be a problem if they were linked by destiny and all.
She reminded herself that nothing mattered more than freeing her brother. Soon Thaddeus would be in Jo’s life again. If he was like her, she’d teach him everything she knew about ghosting and telekinesis. They’d learn the rest together. Hope made her giddy. Her future was so freaking bright.