Magic Kingdom (Dragon Born Alexandria Book 3) by Ella Summers

spaceship. It was also the longest hallway in the history of the world. Maybe she could convince Logan to install a walking sidewalk. He was good at things like that.
    With every step that she took, she grew more impatient. By the time she made it to the door, her stomach was screaming for food. She could almost taste the pizza. The sweet spread of tomato sauce. The soft, warm dough. The bubbling cheese. Mmm. She’d worry about Margery Kensington’s plans tomorrow. Right now, she was going to eat enough pizza to induce a caloric coma. Who knew when she’d get the chance again.
    Alex stepped outside. Past the security gate, the pizza delivery truck was driving away, but Naomi’s car had just turned onto the driveway. She parked behind Logan’s car. Her silver roadster looked adorably miniature next to Logan’s long Maserati.
    Naomi stepped out of her car. She was dressed in a black leather bodysuit which made her look like a stunt double from some superhero action movie. The darkness contrasted beautifully with her blonde hair, which she was wearing platinum and chin-length—and also with her pale skin. It had a sparkly sheen to it, like she had dusted herself in silver glitter. That sheen wasn’t the result of cosmetics, however; it was a trait of her half-fairy heritage. Her other half was mage, which gave her magic a distinct combination blend. It was both sweet and peppery. It rang like tiny silver bells over the heavy percussion beat of elemental magic. It flowed like warm milk and smelled like cotton candy. There was something about her magic. It was much stronger than her cousin Eva’s—and any other hybrid Alex had ever met.
    Naomi popped open the passenger door and pulled out a stack of six pizza boxes. “Yum.” Golden specks swirled and twinkled in her blue eyes. “I haven’t eaten since breakfast. Did you know the only food in the whole house is a jar of beef jerky?”
    “Eva told me.”
    “She’s back from her date with Marek?”
    “Yes, monsters attacked the restaurant.”
    “Stupid monsters.”
    “Yeah.”
    Naomi handed her the stack of pizzas. “I trust this brilliant idea was your doing?”
    “Of course. Though Marek thinks I’m crazy for ordering so much pizza.”
    “In fact, you should have ordered more. I’ve brought company.”
    “A date?”
    “Yeah, three of them.” Naomi chuckled. “Here they come.”
    She pointed her remote at the gate, and it slid open to make room for a big, black SUV. The vehicle, which was obviously hoping to be a tank when it grew up, parked behind Naomi’s car. The door swung open, and three huge men in dark military camouflage clothing hopped out. They towered at least two heads over Naomi and were packed from head to toe with thick, hard muscle that bulged under the dark fabric of their clothing. They were mages. Between the three of them, they had enough magic to send Alex’s Sniffer senses into overdrive.
    “Alex,” Naomi said, grinning. “I want you to meet the commandos.”
    “I didn’t know you could hire your own personal G.I. Joe squad.”
    Naomi snorted. “They do make great backup.”
    I’m wondering if that’s Naomi’s euphemism for a four-way mage and fairy sandwich, Nova commented.
    Alex struggled to keep a straight face.
    “But, alas, they’re not my commandos,” said Naomi. “That’s Dal.”
    She grinned at the first mage. He had light brown hair a shade paler than his skin. His magic was hard yet gentle, smooth with a thick protective shell. Alex’s best guess placed him as a defensive mage with healing abilities.
    “Tony.”
    Naomi indicated the next mage. His dark honey-colored eyes sparkled with calm intelligence. This was the sort of man who remained forever rational and never lost his cool, even in the heat of battle. His magic had the subtle smoothness of a Seer. As a Sniffer, Alex could detect supernaturals—and, to some extent, humans—but Seers could sense much more. They could literally see every person and