Macy POV
Two large guards walk me to the ballroom. They walk so close to me that they don't allow any space for Edward or Winston to walk at my sides. I can hear Edward complaining behind me, but I am choosing to ignore his outburst. He doesn't get a say in what happens from here on out. He has shown just how selfish he can be.
The guards stop at a set of large double doors. They swing open as if they were expecting me. Nyx is standing in the middle of the ballroom with paper in hand, instructing everyone on how to decorate.
She turns when the doors open and beams brightly at me. She has changed since returning to the Immortal Realm. Long gone is the cynical Nyx who always saw the worst in everything. This new Nyx smiles and laughs, and I have to admit it is nice to see her happy for once.
Her smile falters slightly when the twins walk into the room behind me, but she quickly composes herself. "So, the rumors are true. The Royal Twins have made it to the Immortal Realm."
"Nyx?" Edward questions.
"The one and only," she says, giving him a dazzling smile. "You look shocked to see me."
"I just didn't expect you to be so attractive," Edward responds honestly.
"Did you expect me to still be gray and fury?" She laughs.
"Kind of," Edward shrugs.
Nyx snorts, but I cut my eyes at Edward in warning. Just because he isn't in my good graces, it doesn't mean I want him commenting on how attractive other women are. He doesn't seem to notice my glare and continues to study Nyx.
"You two can wait outside," I snap at the twins.
Winston looks wounded, but he silently walks to the exit. Edward, of course, is going to fight me at every move. "Whatever you have to say to Nyx you can say in front of me."
"Shut up," I groan. "You are very much on my nerves. Just go."
Edward crosses his arms over his chest and stands firm, refusing to leave. Choosing to ignore him rather than fight with him, I turn my attention to Nyx.
"I know why you are here," she says in a low voice. "I won't tell you about the Gray Creatures."
"Fine," I pout. "I will just head into the forest after dark and find one for myself."
Nyx's jaw ticks with anger. She knows I am foolish enough to leave the safety of the palace after dark. I have never been one to follow the rules. "You would be an idiot to do so," she tells me.
"So be it," I say. I turn to the exit and walk quickly out.
I am almost at the door when someone grabs me by my wing and yanks me back. I stumble back, but Nyx is pulling me toward a private room. She doesn't let go of my wing, practically dragging me across the ballroom floor. Once we are at the room, she kicks the door open and pushes me inside. The door slams behind her, and we are consumed by darkness.
"No one can know that I told you," she whispers.
"Okay," I draw out the word.
The silence between the two of us is thick. Nyx doesn't want to tell me what she knows. I know it is because she is scared of losing what little relationship she has left with Cassian. It might be selfish of me, but I need to know what they are. If I can figure out a way to save Destin's mate, I will. He deserves to have her by his side.
Nyx draws in a sharp breath. "A Gray Creature used to be a Fae, but they have been corrupted."
"Corrupted?"
"For the most part, Fae are light-hearted and peaceful. Yes, we enjoy causing a bit of chaos and mischief, but we never mean anyone actual harm. There are very few Fae that turn away from our way of life. They are intrigued by death and violence. Eventually, that temptation consumes their soul, and they turn into something dark and sinister. That is what happened to Destin's mate."
"I don't understand," I admit. "What makes them so dangerous?"
"In order to sustain their way of life, they need to consume the souls of other Fae," Nyx explains.
"Are they like Vampires?" I reply.
"Worse," Nyx grumbles. "A vampire only takes your blood. A Gray Creature takes your soul."
"Surely there is a way to save them," I whisper.
"They cannot be saved," Nyx hisses at me.
"Has anyone tried?" I am aware of how desperate I sound.
"Macy," Nyx sighs. "Promise me you won't do anything foolish. Once a Gray Creature has you in its sights, it won't let you go."
"What happens if they catch me?" I ask.
"Either you die, or they do," Nyx sighs. "There is no escaping without death."
Suddenly, the door to the room opens, and light floods the room. Cassian is glaring at the two of us as if he knew what we were discussing. "What is going on in here?'
I look to Nyx for help. I don't know how to skirt around the truth. I am likely to spill the truth. Luckily for me. Nyx is a professional.
"We were discussing what Macy should and should not do tonight," she tells Cassian. "We would hate for something awful to happen."
Cassian's shoulders drop, and he relaxes a little. Of course, he would think Nyx is following his orders blindly, but when he turns to me, I can feel myself begin to panic.
"Do you know how to dance?" He asks.
"What?" I am unsure if I have heard him correctly.
"Do you know how to dance?" He repeats himself. "Properly."
"No," I respond. "I do not."
Cassian smiles a little, and it is slightly unnerving. "Then we don't have much time."
He holds his hand out for me, and instead of taking it, I look at Nyx. "Go on," she says, pushing me toward the door. "There is no one better to teach you."
Reluctantly, I take his hand and let him pull me back into the ballroom. Music is already playing but I am not sure from where.
"The first order of business," he says. "Keeping your wings off the ground."