“There are more!” Del cried. “Two down below.”

My gaze followed her words, seeing two of the beasts hurtling from the depths of the fjord. It was hard to tell how big they were without any scale—everything around us was enormous—but they were at least the size of dogs.

Roarke leapt off the stairs, his wings flaring behind him, and flew straight for the closest winged serpent. But there were too many for him to fight alone. I glanced back in time to see Ares draw his shadow sword. Del drew her own blade from the ether.

Heart thundering, I conjured a bow and arrow. It took every ounce of guts that I had to unplaster myself from the stone stairs and kneel. The cold stone bit into my knee, grounding me, tethering me to the earth. I drew back my bowstring, aiming for the closest serpent. When I released the string, my arrow flew straight and true, plunging into the chest of the serpent. The beast bowled backward, flying head over tail toward the water.

Nearby, Roarke tore the head off a serpent with his bare hands, blood spraying. I grimaced. That dude could fight.

I conjured another arrow, firing for a serpent headed for Ares. Before the arrow found its mark, I conjured another, firing at a different beast. There were six in the air. Between Roarke and me, we could take them out before Del and Ares had to use their swords. A battle on the stairs was to be avoided at all costs.

I conjured and shot, conjured and shot, taking out three more serpents while Roarke destroyed two. I was aiming for the last when an unholy screech filled the night air. My blood turned to ice in my veins.

That was way more than one serpent.

“There!” Del cried, pointing behind us.

I squinted into the dark, catching sight of dozens of serpents flying toward us. They were still a couple hundred meters away, looking no bigger than bats.

“Run!” I screamed.

I dropped my bow, which plunged toward the water below, and raced up the stairs, adrenaline driving me. There would be no winning against that many serpents.

“Come on, Roarke!” Del screamed.

We scrambled up the stairs, Roarke flying at our side. My heart thundered, and my lungs burned, muscles shaking from exhaustion. We still had twenty meters to go.

“They’re here!” Ares shouted. “Brace yourselves.”

I froze dead in my tracks, turning just my head to look. The serpents were only a dozen yards away, so close that I could make out their brilliant green scales and lacy black wings. Emerald eyes stared ravenously at us, and long fangs dripped with green venom.

Oh, hell.

Ares and Del drew their swords from the ether. I conjured a shield, passing it off to Del. “Give it to Ares!”

She handed it down while I conjured another, passing that one to her. By the time she grabbed it, a serpent was upon her, striking with its fangs. She blocked it with the shield. The serpent’s head thudded into the metal. Its wings faltered. Del took advantage of the beast’s distraction, piercing it with her blade. Below, Ares did the same.

I didn’t want to use Laima’s blade. I didn’t need it for these beasts and was too afraid of dropping it, so I conjured my own sword and shield just before a serpent attacked me. Its sulfurous breath gagged me as I blocked its attack with my shield then struck out with my blade.

It shrieked and plummeted toward the water.

That wasn’t so hard!

But the brief flare of hope was suffused by panic at the wall of serpents approaching us through the air. There were even more than before, and there were just so damned many of them.

We managed a few steps each before the next wave was upon us. I sliced the neck of one while battering another with my blade, but a third hurtled toward me while my weapons were busy with the other two.

I kicked, nailing the serpent in the face. It shrieked and fell, but another two replaced him. My sword felt heavy in my exhausted arm as I stabbed toward the serpent. I struck him in the chest, but another sank his fangs into my thigh. Pain screamed through me as I yanked my blade from the other serpent’s chest and plunged it into the beast that was chewing on my thigh. The monster released its grip with a shriek, and I shook it off my blade.

I turned to face the fjord, searching for my next opponents. Del and Ares were similarly overcome, and Roarke was about to be overpowered as well. Serpents dive-bombed him from all angles, surrounding him.

We were no longer able to climb the stairs—we needed every moment and every ounce of energy to defend against Jörmungand’s children.

When four of them charged me, my stomach dropped. I ducked behind my shield and swiped out with my blade, but one of the serpents went straight for my legs, knocking them out from under me. The sword fell from my hand as I lost my footing, going over the edge of the stairs.

I grabbled for the stone ledge, my fingers slipping on the rock, losing contact. My heart almost exploded.

A hand gripped my wrist, giving me just enough support that I could tighten my grip on the stone ledge. Above me, Del was plastered to the stone stairs, holding on to me. Her wide eyes were panicked, the message clear. We’re fucked.

Serpents screeched as they charged. Ares loomed over Del, fighting them off to give me a chance to scramble onto the stairs, but there were so many. Only his superior speed gave me a shot. Yet I was too weak to haul myself up.

Panic filled my body with a thousand prickles. Help! We needed help.

Magic sparked on the air. Jeff appeared next to me, his onyx eyes fixed on me. Behind him, the Pūķi appeared, flaming red in the dark sky.

Immediately, the Pūķi charged the serpents, blowing fire. Jeff, concern so clear in the frantic flutter of his wings, flew down. I lost sight of him, but felt a firm pressure under my butt.

He was trying to push me up! And it worked, just a little. He boosted me enough that I could latch an arm over the stone stairs, then a knee. Del helped me scramble onto firmer ground as Ares fought the serpents who got past the Pūķi’s fiery defense.

“Run for it!” Del cried.

I raced up the stairs, my wounded leg aching. The Pūķi held off most of our attackers, blasting their fire at the enemy. I conjured a shield to deflect the rest. They slammed into it as I ran, nipping for my legs. One sank a fang into my calf and I stumbled, hitting my ribs against the stairs. Another bit my thigh.

I clung desperately as pain surged through me, determined not to fall again, then clambered up and continued. We were so close! Just five more stairs.

I lunged for solid ground, dragging myself up. Del followed, then Ares, all of us collapsing on the snow.

Immediately, Del crawled around and screamed, “Roarke!”

He hurtled out of the night sky, headed straight for us. Blood poured from dozens of bite wounds. The serpents followed him, their green eyes ravenous.

Jeff fluttered at my side, concerned eyes watching the scene.

My stomach lurched. Though we were on solid ground, there were still the monsters to contend with. And there were dozens.

I tried to ignore the pain coursing through me as I staggered to my feet, shield raised. I conjured another sword, bracing myself for impact.

The horde of serpents was nearly upon us, only twenty feet away. Their fangs gleamed in the moonlight. I was nearly numb with terror, an animal driven by instinct to live.

Roarke hurtled to the ground next to us, skidding on the snow. He left a trail of bloody white. The serpents that had pursued him stopped dead in their tracks, wings holding them aloft in a line just ten feet from us. They hissed, their frustration clear, then spun and flew away, plummeting down to the water below.

I stumbled back, panting. Adrenaline made my head woozy.

“Why did they stop?” Ares asked. “They’re not afraid of us.”

Del rushed toward Roarke, who lay in the snow. I turned to face Ares, briefly catching sight of his blood-covered body before my gaze fell upon a line of mounted warriors. There were six of them, each dressed in pale blue with white hair and eyes.

Oh, crap.

These were the people who had scared Jörmungand’s children.

“Turn around, Ares.”

He spun, sword raised. Immediately, he lowered his blade. Del helped Roarke to his feet.

Two of the mounted figures rode forward. A man and a woman, each wearing identical uniforms. Theirs were fancier than the others, tunics shot through with silver thread that matched their long hair. Though their eyes were entirely whited out, it was clear that they stared at us. Pointed ears peeked through their hair.

The elves.

Please be the light elves.

“Vampire, why did you not transport to the top?” the woman asked.

Ares stepped forward, his limp minimized, no doubt to show no weakness. “We were told it would be construed as an attack, and in that event, we would meet the dark elves. I have heard of the dark elves. I prefer to meet Jörmungand’s children.”

The elves smiled, their teeth white and perfect. Though they were beautiful, it was a terrifying smile. Their magic rolled off of them in waves, crushingly powerful. We were outmanned here, no question.

“Wise choice,” the woman said. “I am Alva. The commander of this regiment. You are on our land. What do you seek here?”

“Answers,” I said. “Just answers.”

“How can we trust you?”

Uhh.

Jeff chose that moment to flutter out from behind my back, where he’d been hiding. My little dragon was brave, but he knew how to choose his battles.

Alva’s gaze landed on Jeff and widened. A flash of red caught my eye. The Pūķi had joined us. Alva’s white brows rose even higher. “You have dragons.”

“I do. Sort of. They’re made more of magic than of flesh and bone, but they are dragons. Though not in the ancient sense.”

A smile tugged at Alva’s lips. “I can see that. They are far too small. But it is an accepted truth that dragons only congregate with the worthy. As you have three of them, we will permit you entrance to our land.”

I nearly sagged with relief. Unfortunately, fear had been the only thing keeping me upright. I’d been going on nothing but adrenaline and terror for the last several hours.

Ares held out a hand. I grabbed it, supporting myself with one arm and the very last of my strength. I could have kissed him for not coming over and swooping me up. I was the leader of our merry little band, and he knew as well as I how important it was to show strength. He gave me only what I needed to save myself from face-planting in the snow.

“And a healer,” the male elf said. “You need a healer. The venom of Jörmungand’s children is toxic.”

“Toxic?” Del’s voice was frantic. She supported Roarke, who was riddled with so many puncture wounds that he looked like an old pincushion. She didn’t look much better, having taken several hits while trying to drag me up onto the stairs after I’d fallen. They were probably both leaning against each other.

“Curable.” The elf nodded at Roarke. “Even for him. But it is best if we start now.”

“Yes.” Del nodded frantically.

“Follow us.” Alva turned her horse.

Ares looked down at me. “I’m going to help Roarke. I don’t think he can walk. Can you manage?”

I nodded. Jeff came to fly under my arm. I put a hand on his back, drawing a bit of strength from him. It flowed into my muscles, warm and wonderful. “Thanks, pal.”

Ares took Roarke from Del, wrapping Roarke’s arm around his own shoulders and helping him limp toward the retreating elves. Del staggered toward me, hardly able to walk. I reached out for her, wrapping an arm around her waist. We lurched after Roarke and Ares. Jeff gave me just enough strength to walk, but the snow made it hard going.

When we reached a massive tree in the middle of a clearing, my jaw dropped. It was bigger than a redwood, with wooden stairs built in a spiral all around. High above, lights glittered in the trees.

“We live above,” Alva said.

“More stairs?” Del sounded like she was going to cry. I couldn’t blame her.

I sucked in a shuddery breath and moved toward the stairs. As soon as I stepped onto the first one, warmth flowed through me. The air changed, just slightly. Warmer and full of magic.

I looked at Alva. “What is that?”

“Our realm. This is a gateway to our world. We defend this outpost. But the tree is able to take some of the magic from Álfheimr, our homeland.”

“Wow.” It made me feel slightly stronger, enough so I could make it to the top. Maybe.

Alva nodded. “Wow is correct.”

We climbed the stairs that spiraled around the tree. Even Roarke could get himself up with the help of the magic, though his wounds continued to weep blood and green poison. By the time I reached the main building high in the branches, I was super ready to be done with today.

The stairs led into a main room that was built entirely of pale white wood. It was octagonal shaped, with large windows looking out to the branches beyond. Skylights revealed the Aurora Borealis, which was brightening as the night went on, reds and purples being added to the green. Sparkling golden lights glittered in the ceiling—fairy lights. Literally. Even my pain couldn’t keep me from chuckling quietly at the bad pun.

There was little furniture in the space, just an open fire pit surrounded by plush blue cushions.

We all stripped off our heavy jackets and hung them on hooks near the door. Jeff gave me one last look and disappeared. I assumed he went back to my trove, but I couldn’t say for certain.

“These elves really have a thing for blue,” Del whispered

“I was just thinking that.” I kept my voice low.

Most of the elves went through a doorway on the other side of the room. Alva turned to us and gestured to the cushions. “You may have a seat. I will bring a healer and some food.”

Gratefully, I collapsed onto a plush cushion. Ares and Del sat next to me, with Roarke nearly keeling over on a cushion next to Del.

“Are you okay, Roarke?” I asked.

“Fine,” he slurred.

“Fighting in the air amongst Jörmungand’s children was brave,” Ares said.

I looked at him, surprised to see how much more blood had seeped from wounds beneath his clothes. He’d probably received them while defending Del and me as she’d tried to haul me back up onto the stairs.

I frowned at Ares. “You really got it, too.”

He shrugged. “None of us escaped unharmed.”

That was the truth.

A moment later, Alva returned with a healer. The newest elf was older, her face lined and her posture stooped.

“This is Astrid,” Alva said. “She is very talented.”

I nodded. “Thank you for coming.”

“Will you see to Roarke first?” Del asked.

Astrid’s white eyes traveled to Roarke and she nodded. “That would be for the best.” Her voice reminded me of a birdsong.

She sat at Roarke’s side. She had no medical instruments, so I assumed it would be a magical sort of healing. When she hovered her hands over Roarke’s body, blue light glowed from her palms. He winced as green venom seeped from his wounds, brilliant beneath the fairy lights.

Slowly he relaxed. The most obvious of his wounds closed up. After five minutes, he was sitting straighter, his gaze brighter.

“Thank you.” He nodded to Astrid.

“Hmmm.” She turned to Ares. “You next.”

They were the worst off by far. Astrid was quicker with Ares, and quicker yet with Del. I’d been lucky with only a few puncture wounds, possibly because of my positioning on the steps.

When Astrid hovered her hands over me, warmth flowed from her palm. My wounds burned fiercely as the poison leached from my flesh, but comfort came when the poison was gone and Astrid’s magic closed the tears.

“That’s amazing, thank you,” I said.

“Hmmm.” She gave a small smile and stood, then left the room.

“She doesn’t speak much, does she?” I asked Alva.

“Not to you, no. Many of our kind are insular. She doesn’t mind helping you, but she is thousands of years old. She can’t imagine you’d have anything new to tell her.”

I chuckled. “Fair enough.”

Three elves entered the room, each carrying a tray laden with glasses and food. The savory smell of spices hit my nose, and my mouth watered. Though I was so exhausted that my body felt like a pile of spaghetti, my stomach grumbled. I could find the energy to eat.

Alva took a seat across from us, joined by the male elf that had ordered the healer. She gestured to him. “This is Eirik.”

I nodded hello as other elves set the food on a nearby table, then served us each a plate of food and a goblet of amber liquid.

“Thank you,” we all spoke at the same time, each of us clearly grateful for the sustenance.

I chowed down, trying not to be a pig about it but so famished that I probably looked pretty desperate. Everything on my plate was some form of vegetable—none of which I recognized—but it was all delicious.

With the worst of my hunger sated, I looked up at Alva. “Thank you again for your assistance.”

She nodded. “It is rare that someone visits our land. It is difficult to reach.”

“That’s an understatement,” Ares said.

“Yes, well, you made it to the top. Clearly your goal is important to you. Which direction are you headed?”

“Northwest.” At least, that was where my dragon sense was currently pulling me.

Alva frowned. “That will be difficult. You’ve reached a region where supernaturals reign supreme in Norway. As I’m sure you know, we don’t do anything in half measures here.”

“I can see that.” Jörmungand’s children had made it very clear.

“We will send a scout with you to the border of our land, along with reindeer for you to ride. There are some rune stones at the border that will help you cross the next part of your journey.”

“How so?” Ares asked.

“Ask them your questions, and they will give you answers. There are parts of our land upon which you must not tread. It will become more clear tomorrow.”

I hoped so, because this was clear as mud. “Thank you for the help.”

“It is the least we can do.” Alva’s gaze zeroed in on me. “Your dragon makes it clear that you are meant to do something great. Dragons would not accompany the unworthy.”

I just hoped I could live up to Jeff’s faith in me, then.

Alva rose and gestured to a door to the left. “There are sleep quarters there for you, along with a bath. We will see you in the morning.”

She and Eirik departed, leaving us alone.

“Well, this has been some good luck,” Del said.

“Yeah. I don’t know if we’d have survived otherwise,” I said.

“We’d have managed,” Ares said. “Though barely.”

I sipped the wine. The most divine taste exploded over my tongue. It was as delicious as Laima’s Ambrosia. Maybe even better.

“This is amazing.” I held up the glass.

Ares’s gaze sharpened. “Do not drink too much. It is elven wine. Stronger stuff than we mere mortals can tolerate. Be wary here.”

He was right. Though warm and comforting, it was dangerous. I nodded as I sipped again, my head buzzing with pleasure. I just felt happy. I sipped again.

Ares reached out for the glass, taking it from me. “Be wary. The elves help us and we can trust them, but not all in their world is made for us. We are in the realm of the gods here, a place with more magic than we’ve ever known. It is dangerous because of that.”

I was getting serious déjà vu. First the tricky goddesses and their Ambrosia, and now the elves with their wine. “You’re right. We need to keep our wits about us.” I stood. “I’m ready for a bath and bed.”

Everyone else stood, and we went into the bedroom. It was a simple room, with four long, plush cushions on the floor for sleeping and two doors leading out of the room.

I peeked my head into both, finding a fabulous shower room in one and a steam bath in the other. Both had ceilings of glass.

“How do they handle plumbing?” Del asked.

“Magic?” I couldn’t imagine running pipes up into the tree. For one, it was alive, so you couldn’t run them through the trunk. And we hadn’t seen them when we’d climbed the stairs.

“Nix and Del, you can go first,” Ares said.

“Thanks.” I hurried into the shower room with Del.

The room was built of the same pale wood, but half was tiled with sparkling beige stones. Small waterfalls poured from three spouts against the wall. Quickly, I stripped off my clothes and ducked under one of the showers. The water was warm, and the pressure felt like a massage against my aching shoulders.

Del did the same, ducking under her own waterfall.

“This is amazing,” I murmured.

“No kidding.” She paused. “So, it’s really getting serious between you and Ares, huh?”

“Yeah, kinda. I really like him. A lot. And Laima has confirmed that it’s not a product of the blood bond. That we’re fated.”

Del spit out water. “Whoa, fated? That’s really a thing?”

“For vampires, I guess. And me, apparently.”

“Wow. How do you feel about that?”

“Well, I’m not a big fan of fate deciding things for me. But I like Ares. So maybe fate’s not so far off.”

“Well, I like him. He hasn’t taken his eyes off you the whole time we’ve been out here.”

My heart warmed. I finished showering, scrubbing the rest of the blood and poison from my skin, then grabbed one of the fluffy towels from a shelf by the window. It wasn’t terrycloth like a human towel, which was no surprise. I couldn’t imagine an elf in Bed, Bath, and Beyond. The fabric was silky and absorbent. There were silk PJs on the shelf as well.

“Toss me a pair of those, will you?” Del asked.

I threw her a pair—of course they were light blue—and pulled on my own. We traded places with the guys, who looked like hell. They’d obviously chosen to try out the steam room, and streaks of sweat cut through the blood on their arms. I raised my brow at Ares.

“It was a mistake.” He grinned. “But it looked nice, so we tried it.”

I laughed and pointed to the shower. “Get in there.”

Del and I settled onto the cushions on the floor. I moaned as it enveloped me, cloud-like softness welcoming me into its embrace. I pulled the silken blanket—blue, of course—over me and stared at the glass ceiling above. Swirls of color painted the night sky.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” I yawned.

If Del responded, I didn’t hear it. Sleep had never claimed me so fast in my whole life.