Chapter Seven

 

At first neither of us moved, chests heaving. The relief in such a reunion was too extraordinary to bear.

Face rapturous, Breandan clasped my neck and pulled my head forward to press his forehead to my own. My hands rested on his chest, balled up into fists at the dishonor. How easily I had been prepared to give this up in the cage.

“Everything you are belongs to me,” he rasped, enveloping me in his arms to crush me to him. “You’re mine.”

His wings flexed behind him, and he glanced over his shoulder, eyeing them thoughtfully. His tail twisted around then flicked side to side purposefully. “Oh,” he said and made an amused humming noise low in his throat.

I briefly remembered how I had reacted when I got my wings and tail. I’d screamed, and it had taken a sharp slap to calm me down. My fairy simply said, ‘oh’.

He set me down on my feet, keeping a tight grip on my waist. His gaze was soft, caressing, and had returned to luminous silver. I gazed up at him, breathless and dazed.

Then my eyes wandered away from his face and I balked, my stomach plummeting.

The human Temple would now forever only be a memory. Devastation. The wall behind me was gone. Sanctuary was gone. The courtyard was … gone … nothing but piles of rubble, some chunks no bigger than my fist.

My mouth swung open as I peered through the settling dust to take in the ruin laid to waste around us. Is this what our love – our bond – had to offer the world, the complete annihilation of everything that dared to stand in its path?

As the haze cleared my actions before our tryst returned to me. Suddenly, I cared again. With a sickening flash of clarity I saw myself, wild eyed, and crazed hurling my magic at Ana as she wavered on her knees, trying to protect people so they could flee from us.

So, this was it? I was reduced to nothing more than a battering ram of need and until I got my fix from the bond. How the hell were we supposed to control something like this? What would have happened if Ana, Conall, or anyone had not managed to flee in time?

Oh gods. Such a bond should not be possible, and wielded by one such as I.

“We are to destroy everything,” I whispered.

Breandan breathed in deeply and seemed almost concerned as he looked out on what remained of the Temple. “This is not discreet,” he muttered. “We will deal with the consequences, together.”

His grip on my waist tightened and I winced. Lochlann would be … mad. Breandan made a sound of frustration and knelt down to untwist my trousers and help me back into them. I rested my hands on his shoulders to steady myself.

I lifted my head, and the small smile teasing the corners of my mouth at the idea of us, together, dropped.

Tomas stood on the edge of the courtyard staring at us. His hands were loose at his sides and had I not been able to see his face, frozen in an expression of wrath, I would have thought him relaxed. His eyes were black, brows drawn together, and lips pulled back to show his fangs. Blood ran down his chin and his clothes were ripped where he had been fighting. He had lost the gaunt, starved look, and his cheeks were plump rather than caved in. He had fed well and looked better for it.

“He just arrived,” Breandan murmured as he tugged my trousers over my hips. He pulled me in and kissed my brow. “He saw nothing.”

“But enough to cause him pain,” I replied quietly.

Stepping around Breandan I took a step toward Tomas, but his look of anger turned to one of anguish and he shook his head. He briskly walked off until he turned and was hidden behind a collapsed outer building.

He was still close, I could feel the darkness comforting him, but his message to me was clear, so I respected his wishes, and I did not run after him.

I entwined my fingers with my fairy and leaned my head on his shoulder, enjoying the feel of him. I did not feel guilty about Tomas, or sorry, but sad it had come to this, and wretched that he had to see Breandan and me that way so soon after I had set him straight on the way I felt. I had told him exactly what Breandan meant to me and my consciousness was clean. I cared for Tomas deeply, but not enough to ever consider turning my back on Breandan. Not again. Never in this lifetime would I put him through that uncertainty again.

From the rubble and smoke came more demons I knew and I exhaled so sharply my entire body slumped.

Oh gods, thank you.

It was the crouched figure ambling behind the shifter twins – who still looked fierce, even naked, and in human form – that caught my attention first. He had a black eye, a split lip, and a few bruises across his ribs, but was otherwise unharmed. He started over to me in that odd lurching amble, but stopped abruptly when he focused on Breandan standing beside me holding my hand.

My fairy sighed. “Rae, must you befriend every stray demon you find?”

I blinked up at him innocently.

Giving me an exasperated look, Breandan extended his arm. Runt shied away, scooting around him to reach me. He touched his head to my shoulder, and I patted his dusty baldhead fondly. I was so proud of him – he had fought like a demon.

Breandan swiveled on his heel nimbly and offered his arm again, managing to send me a disparaging look even as he softly said, “I won’t hurt you, but if you’re afraid of me this will not work. I’ll have you sent away.”

I scowled. “He’s just–”

He held up his palm to silence me. “This is up to you, goblin. Only the strong can stand with us.”

Runt took Breandan in slowly then his back straightened and his chin lifted. My eyes got wide when Runt had reached his full height – my height – and jerked his head in an odd bow at Breandan. He blinked his huge orb-like eyes at me, spread his thick lips in an ugly smile before his body curved back in on itself, and he ambled off to go stand beside Amelia.

Byron had come to stand behind his daughters and a placed a hand on their shoulders. Lines of strain that had been around his mouth had eased somewhat. The scar that slashed through his eye crinkled as he cracked a brief, but delighted smile to have his children safe.

Alec and Maeve wandered back next. He had her safe in his arms, and jumped down off a high pile of bricks, landing heavily. She giggled, squeezed her eyes closed, and wrapped her arms round his neck to steady herself, legs kicking gently.

They both looked okay from what I could tell. Alec had a dark red sticky spot on the corner of his temple, and some of his hair, left shoulder was drenched in blood. Otherwise, he looked okay. Maeve looked better than fine to me, only flushed and missing some amour plates.

At least Alec had managed to find some trousers. Byron and the shifter twins were completely bare, and I had to focus hard on their faces to keep myself from blushing. No body else seemed bothered. Clearly, the demons did not have the same issue with nakedness as I did, but I supposed that was down to my human nurturing.

The Omega’s eyes were wide as they took in Maeve’s green skin and fiery hair. Her lids slowly fluttered open and her red irises locked with his amber ones that shone admiringly.

“Hell,” I muttered. “How are we going to explain this to Lochlann?”

Breandan eyed me then his sister. He shrugged. “I do not understand.”

I waved my hand to where Maeve and Alec stared at each other – completely absorbed in nothing and no one, but each other.

Alec smiled and Maeve blushed prettily.

“Maeve?” I called and could not keep the smile from my face. “What are you doing here?”

She beamed at me and waved back, her small hand blurring she shook it so fast. “When Breandan and Conall knew you had been taken they sent Alec to appeal Lochlann for followers to help rescue you. So here I am.”

I was stunned. “Lochlann sent you?”

She shrugged and looked away. “You are important, Rae.” She looked back at me, grinning evilly. “And you really needed rescuing.”

Alec snorted and she elbowed him. “She’s tricking you all.” Maeve gave a breathy gasp. She scrambled in his arms and tried to put her hands over his mouth. “I didn’t make it further than the outskirts before she cornered me and made me tell why I was on Wyld land.” Alec shifted her about in his arms then tickled her sides. She squealed and kicked her legs, laughing. “I was coerced into telling all I knew. When she had what she needed from me she was off, and I struggled to keep up.” He pulled her into his chest, smiling, and she hugged him to her in return.

Nimah narrowed her eyes at them and moved forward. Amelia caught her shoulder, and the younger twin froze, pouted.

“I guessed as much,” Breandan said. “Lochlann would not have sent our sister.”

“I am old enough to make my own choices,” Maeve said in her high chime abruptly serious. “It was better this way, Breandan. Lochlann is still upset with you both.” Her gaze flicked between us, rested on Breandan’s wings. “And now the bond is sealed he will feel betrayed.” Her small hand waved at the damage around us. “This is not discreet.”

Alec coughed into her hair, but I saw the grin he tried to hide.

I frowned. “We did try. I mean, Lochalnn has to accept this now, right? I can understand he hoped I would choose to stand by his side as his mate, that I would break the bond. But the simple fact is I didn’t want to.” I looked at Breandan. “My heart was lost the moment I saw Breandan. Nothing and no one can change that. It is done.”

And I was happy, content. I had no doubts this was how it was meant to be.

“Nothing I do will make him think well of me.” Breandan sounded so sad I took his hand, and our bond soothed him.

The fairy-girl was not the slightest bit swayed by how forlorn he looked. “Gods be damned, brother, you must swallow your pride and apologize. Always are you stubborn. You are in the wrong this time, not him.”

Alec gasped, and tickled her again making Maeve break out into high-pitched giggles mid lecture.

Breandan’s eyes slitted as he focused on what flowed between the two young demons. “No,” he said as if the word was an order to stop the affection growing between them that would be instantly followed.

He took a step forward and I dug my heels in to jerk him to a halt. “Uh, too late,” I replied dryly and caught his hand with both of mine before he could pull away. “We’re not the only ones stuck on each other.”

I was delighted for them both. No doubt, Maeve was the mysterious forbidden love Alec had been referring to. It was easy to see that the Claiming was upon them both and disrupting that would be wrong.

Breandan caught my gaze and his own warmed, caressed my face even as his thumb rubbed the inside of my palm.

Stomping boots broke our moment of peace as Conall darted up to us to stand a few paces away. His gaze roamed over me in concern, mouth pulled down into a scowl. He was covered in patches of gore, and long wisps of dark hair from his ponytail trailed down his face and neck.

I assured him wordlessly that I was okay, and touched the back of his hand gently, an apology evident in my eyes for scaring him so deeply.

Pale faced and exhausted, Ana hung limply over his shoulder like a sack of grain. “Can I get down now?” she squeaked.

Breaking eye contact with me, he set her down carefully, and the first thing she did was stick her tongue out at him then me. She dusted herself off and crossed her arms over her chest, still looking hot, bothered, and embarrassed.

Before I could apologize, Lex stumbled into sight. Her chalk white skin was splattered with crimson from chin to waist and she held Ro up. One of his arms was flung over her shoulder, and he looked like he’d been to hell and back. A deep gash over his eye seeped, and his shoulder looked dislocated by the funny angle he held his arm. With each step, he grunted in pain and gritted his teeth.

She set him down on a chunk of wall that had survived some of the blast, and he winced, eyes closing in pain. She shot me a bloodied smile over her shoulder then made Ro comfortable. When he was relatively settled she yanked on his arm and pushed his body back. There was a loud crunch and Ro howled in pain. Lex rolled back onto her heels as he cursed at her then settled down to cross her legs. She placed her chin in her upturned palm as he jumped up and down cursing all manner of gods and creation.

Safe. All of my friends were safe and well. My eyes closed briefly and I sent up a small prayer of thanks. The gods had to be listening for us to have come through this relatively unscathed. We had removed a dangerous threat and were alive to fight another day. Yes, my prayers had been answered. The shifter twins were free and back with their father like I had, ah, planned, and we could get back hunting Devlin. This time the weight of an entire Pride behind us. First, I had a few loose ends to clean up.

I jerked my chin toward the far corner of the courtyard. “What shall we do with them?” I asked Breandan.

The dust covered Disciples had rallied together and cowered in a far corner. A few unconscious, or worse for wear Clerics had been dragged into their midst, and were being shook or slapped awake. Squinting, I was relieved to see Samuel in their midst, seeing to his comrades wounds. The Disciples were torn between staring at Breandan, me, and the rubble that used to be their home.

I felt guilty all over again. Had the Temple been destroyed a few days ago and I was still clueless like them I would have been devastated, frightened. My confusion no doubt would have turned to anger at the demons that had done it. How scared they must all be. The Priests and younger Disciples had been long evacuated by the order of Cleric Tu, so the deaths would only be those who had fought my friends, and been unlucky enough to be gouged in the wrong place with a claw or blade. I did ask them to go easy, but Conall, Breandan, and Maeve had not heard my speech, and had released a whole world of pain upon them.

The Disciples watched me as if I was going to chomp their head off at any moment. I sighed. Was it worth trying to talk to them as an equal? Maybe if I explained what was going on they would understand. They must have felt the hex settle then lift off them.

Breandan’s eyes had clouded with confusion and concern. “Rae-love...”

“Are you going to murder us now demon,” a pissed voice called across the space. Zoe sat up rubbing her head and glared at me as if all her troubles were my solely fault.

And it wasn’t fair.

I’d been through hell to protect the Disciples, her included.

By gods, I stomped my foot, and shrieked at her, “Okay, so I gave you a black eye. Yes, my fairy and vampire had destroyed half of Bayou. Sure, I flattened Sanctuary,” I paused. “Okay fine the entire Temple, but really, everything is not entirely my fault. Technically I saved your ungrateful ass,” I held up two fingers, “twice!”

Zoe’s heavily freckled face looked anxious, but her eyes sparked with anger. Lex had dropped her hold on Ro, and the look she shot Zoe had the girl’s complexion jumping from pink with anger to pale with fear.

The look of hunger on Lex’s face had me drawing in a deep breath.

“No,” I said and drew myself up tall, daring anybody to defy me. “Lex, we’re letting them go.”

“They wouldn’t have left us alive,” Ro wheezed.

“It doesn’t matter. They shouldn’t have been out here in the first place.” My eyes roamed the Temple grounds. “Gods, what were the Priests thinking allowing Cleric Tu to bring them here.” I pushed my hair out of my eyes, and my tail thumped the floor once in finality. “We’re sending them away.”

Lex scowled at them, at me, but nodded then crouched down beside Ro, licking her lips. I shivered, nauseated. I was still having a hard time accepting her new bloodthirsty nature, and it was upsetting she could not extend sympathy for the Disciples. She used to be one. I sighed. I had done this to her, and did I truly know all the ways her transformation had affected her?

Breandan clasped my chin and made me look at him. It looked like he was the only one brave enough to challenge me. I knew all the arguments he could use. All the logic and battle strategy that said leaving enemies trained to hate us alive and well was reckless, risky. That it would cause more trouble later, and I would regret it in the end.

All these arguments, logical as they were, did not detract from the fact killing them would be barbaric, something we needed to change.

As a human, I had been shunned and mocked, never blending in or being part of the ‘in’ crowd. Yet, I had been taken in and raised by these people. Living as a human shaped who I was, how I saw the world and it always would. There was so much good in them, and holding onto thoughts of how Lex used to be, Samuel’s kindness, and the Priest that had secured my future when I was a baby, I strengthened my resolve. I would protect them as my own.

I stared Breandan down until he nodded his acceptance.

Taking my hand, he turned to face them. “You may go,” he bellowed, his voice amplified by magic into a melodious boom. “Remember the kindness you have been shown today.” He motioned to me. “If not for her you would be dead.”

“Or eaten,” Lex mumbled under her breath.

The Disciples did not need another word to be spoken. Blubbering between themselves, they scrambled up, and stumbled away in a tight knit group, jumping, and shrieking at every shadow. Zoe held her head high and kept her back straight, moving with decisive slow steps. And she was not the only one. The truly hard and strong of them simply glared over their shoulders and calmly walked away. From those calm few would come the next hatemonger, but that was a worry for another day, and one I knew I could handle. The key to dealing with the humans was getting to the Priests. I knew they were simply full of fear and confused. I had to reach them somehow and make them hear me.

“We cannot stay here too long, Rae. They will come back to fight,” Ro said.

I rubbed my head. “I know you all think I’m making a mistake letting them leave, but we’re not the bloodthirsty demons they think us to be.” Lex snickered and there was a honking laugh from Ro. I bit my lip to stop my answering smile; their inappropriate humor was infectious. “If we act like heartless creatures it will vindicate the lies of the true monsters like Cleric Tu.”

“Well said. Once we have the grimoire everything will change for the better,” Conall said firmly. “We use the spell, dispose of Devlin and put you and Lochlann in your rightful places. The rest will follow.”

“I don’t know, Conall,” Maeve said in her high chime. Alec smiled down on her and her flush of pleasure had a purple stain blooming across her cheeks. “After what we’ve seen here do we still think using witchcraft is the right way to do this? At first I agreed wholeheartedly, but now … after seeing Rae struggling to deal with such darkness … no … I’m not so sure using the witches’ grimoire is the right way.”

I almost missed the meaning of what had been said, so focused had I been on the backs of the retreating Disciples. Samuel glanced over his shoulder at me, dipped his head then he was gone.

“Uh, wait,” I butt in and frowned as I ran Maeve’s words around in my head again. “The witches’ grimoire ... you mean the book was written by witches?”

The fairies fell silent.

Papa Obe had made me think more on the significance of the spell book since he explained the Vodoun had helped keep it from witches, but I hadn’t realized why the witches wanted it so badly now. I kept looking at the grimoire as Lochlann’s way of taking the High Lordship from Devlin whilst keeping within the rules of fairykind, essentially, a book of fairy magics, but that was not the case. The book had a bigger role to play, especially if the witches had written it. It made the magics it contained dark. It explained why the witches were interested in finding me, and why their attention had fallen on the Temple. They wanted their book back, and I had the key, the amulets.

The look Conall gave me was apologetic and almost ashamed. I narrowed my eyes, looked at each of their faces slowly. Maeve looked discomfited, resolute, but ashamed. As always, the only one in the dark and having revelations was me.

After a full minute of silence, I found my voice, and I yanked my hand from Breandan’s to move away from him. “You have got to be out of your minds? You were going to try and depose Devlin from the throne by using witchcraft?” Conall winced at the power of my voice. Good. Cause I was pissed. “Why was I not told this?”

“We didn’t want to frighten you,” Breandan explained. “You only knew witchcraft to be an evil practice.”

“That’s because it is,” I said furiously. “They feed off darkness and you want to use it to bring down the fairy High Lord?”

“The Vodoun use black magic, Rae.” Breandan pointed to Lex, who started guiltily. “You stood in the way of natural order to save your friend. You called on the Loa and used the dark arts to bring her back. Were your intentions not good and noble?”

I shook my head. “You’re twisting everything. What I did wasn’t an accident, but it wasn’t exactly intentional either. I reacted in a moment of grief.”

Breandan glowered at me. “Our actions were intentional and carefully planned as what was considered best for the fairy people. You saw what Devlin was doing to us.”

“One wrong does not cancel out the other,” I said firmly. “Ana told me Devlin could be removed by a spell in the grimoire, but I didn’t understand the implications of what she was saying.” I looked at him pointedly. “You once told me Devlin could be removed by majority vote. I foolishly assumed the two were tied.”

He was already shaking his head. “The people won’t vote against him. They are too frightened, and the vote cannot be cast without him present. He has been a lord for over seven centuries Rae, and High Lord for two of them. Even if they fear him, they respect him. They won’t vote against him.”

“So I’m clear your family,” I spun to Conall to include him in my damnation, “and mine decided to lead a revolt against a rightfully appointed sovereign who is still in power because the people respect him even if they fear him?” They all looked away from me and I had my answer. I was beleaguered with anger. This was not what I had been led to believe was happening. “You lied to me.”

“No,” Breandan and Conall said as one.

I made an impatient movement with my hand. “Fine, but you twisted everything to make it seem like Devlin was this evil tyrant who needed dragging down lest he ruin the whole world.”

Devlin’s words came back to me; “Don’t you see, Rae? The rebels are still part of my Tribe and they will be until the day I no longer rule … they may not agree with me and encourage Lochlann’s tantrum and defy me for a while, but so be it … Breandan overstepped his place … turned his back on tradition thousands of years old … Don’t be foolish, you have a chance to save many of our kind … Our ancestors’ legacy flows strongly through your veins, and you could help bring us back together …We are fairy and bound to keep our oath by magics … take your rightful place in my Tribe we can put an end to this feud.”

All the blood drained from my head and I swayed. Breandan stepped forward to help me, but I staggered back. If he touched me he would overwhelm me, and make it too hard to think. Make it hard to see past the web of half-truth’s they had told to manipulate me.

“He wanted the same things you did. He wanted me to help him bring the race back together. He told me himself, and we fairies cannot lie. He practically begged me to help and I didn’t listen because you all had me convinced that he was evil.”

Breandan cut the air with a bold swipe of his palm as if to erase the words and the feeling of distrust swelling between us. “You have seen what he has done. Do not make the mistake of seeing our actions as immoral. He is poison.”

Balling up my fists, I shook them at him. “Being evil and being a hard-assed leader are two different bloody things. What I’m beginning to understand is Lochlann decided he knew what was best for the fairy race and fractured it.” I turned to Conall. “You told me our family had to fix the mess we made, but all we’ve done is make it worse.”

Conall shook his head violently, ponytail flicking from side to side, his face anguished. “This must be done. He was making things unbearable. He became suspicious of everything and everyone.”

“Clearly he had reason to be,” I seethed.

“He withdrew from the other demons instead of using his influence to guide them into a new era,” Conall objected. “He was killing us.”

Even now, their words sounded reasonable, and could be nothing but truth, but I now knew it was only one side of the story.

I put my hands over my ears. “Stop it. Stop talking.”

Breandan did touch me this time. He yanked my hands down and kept his long fingers wrapped round my wrists. “We had to result to base measure to remove a base threat. What we did walked the line between what is right and what is wrong, but we never crossed it. It was my purpose to give my body to protect the people. I am covered with symbols and incantations of power that have been gathered for millennia and passed down from one chosen fairy to another. They help me see, guide my actions. I swear to you that we were doing what was right.”

I wanted to push him away from me, and that was my intention when my hand slapped against his bare chest, but the moment I touched him I felt so grounded my growing rage flowed from my body and was replaced with an eerie calm. Almost reverently, I traced the marks that flowed down his torso. He shuddered and turned his back to me as I glided the pads of my fingers over his skin, around his pinions, swirling and twisting with the ink drawn onto his skin in bold and frightfully sinister curves. I had wondered why some seemed evil to me and now I had my answer. Breandan was covered in tattoos that represented the light and the dark. My fairy-boy was a mix of both and I had thought him so virtuous and good. I flushed. Some of the things he had done were not virtuous indeed, and most of them concerned me.

I sucked in a breath, knowing the moment I let him go the clarity would fade, and everything would become a confused scribble across the canvass of my understanding. It would be an unholy muddle and I did not know if I possessed the wisdom to see past it.

I stepped back and let my hands slide from his skin, immediately mourning the loss of connection. Breandan flexed his back and slanted a look over his shoulder before turning to face me fully. Pining me to the spot with the intensity of his stare he reached out to pull me into him. My eyes darted to Conall who stood off to the side, looking stressed and guilty, but too distracted to say anything about how Breandan held me. His warm hand on my cheek had my gaze returning to his.

“Forgive me,” he said humbly and bowed his head. “I should have shown more faith in you. I only wanted to do what was best.”

I cupped one of my hands behind the nape of his neck, and let the other clasp the waist of his trousers to tug his body flush to mine. His eyes burned with silver flames and he swallowed loudly. For once, he did not seem worried about anybody else nearby. He was single-minded. Focused. This I could tell from the impression he sent down the bond – a glowing, golden light that represented me in his consciousness. All his attention was on me and it was an intense, breathtaking thing.

Of course, I would forgive him, but other people would have to work harder for my forgiveness. I sensed there was another key to this mess.

“Ana,” I called and jerked my head at her. “Get over here.”

She hesitated, blue eyes suspiciously moist as she shuffled forward.

My wings jack-knifed out, fluttering in irritation. They were bigger than before. When they had first appeared they were much smaller, cute even. Now I could feel the velvety bottoms brush the middle of my thighs, and the tips climbed so high they were out of my line of sight.

Still, Ana dragged her small feet.

I hissed, “Now.”

Breandan brushed his lips across my temple. “Be nice.” He kissed me again and stepped back.

My lip twitched. Be nice?

The white witch’s face was pink as she stopped before me. How different a small piece of information can make a relationship? I’d figured out why Ana was so hell bent on helping the fairies and why her spell to break the hex on the Disciples had gone so horribly wrong before I stepped in.

“You’re the he-witch’s kin, aren’t you? And not just because he’s Coven Father, you’re his blood relation. You look far too alike so don’t try and lie.”

Her shoulders slumped. She nodded. “Yes,” she whispered. “I am First Daughter of Cael. Father of Blackthorn Coven.”

I stared at her. The names meant nothing to me but I got a distinct feeling from the way the others stiffened it was not a name to carry with pride. “Why didn’t you tell me?” Her eyes clouded over and I snapped my fingers in her face. “Don’t you dare. Stay focused on me and ignore everything else.” She sent a frightened look at Breandan who started to speak, but I held up my hand. “You’ve said enough. I understand why you did what you did, and how in a twisted way you thought you were protecting me. But she can lie and she did.”

He reached for my hand and I slapped him away. He sighed. “It’s not her fault. I asked her not to tell you. Not to tell anyone who she was.”

I kept my eyes on Ana. “Tell me what happened.”

She rubbed her tummy. “You saw the scars.” Her eyes briefly flittered across mine and her face creased in sympathy. “The Tribe caught me and Wasp tortured me for information on Cael’s plans.”

“I’ve already heard this story.” I paused. “An altered version no doubt but–”

“What I didn’t tell you is the real reason why I’ve given my loyalty to the fairies.”

“You told me you were from the upper dwells–”

Ana made an annoyed sound. “No, you assumed and I didn’t correct you.”

My tail cracked from side to side in irritation. Ana side-stepped to avoid getting lashed by the tip. I took a deep breath. “But you told me about demons hiding behind the Wall.”

“Demons hide in plain sight behind the Wall.” She shrugged as if this was common knowledge. “There are humans with goblin, witch, and shifter blood. Not enough to mark them as demon though. Many probably don’t realize they’re descendant from a supernatural. The fairies have always tended to stay within their own race, but recent events wouldn’t be the first time a fairy had tied themselves to one outside their gene pool. Your own mother bred with a human.”

Fisting my hands, I looked down at them as if they held all the answers. “Are you saying that I might have more family somewhere?”

This time Breandan did take my hand. He unfurled my fingers and stroked my palm. “I would ask that you forget any thought of more family. It will cause you nothing but pain. Alright?”

As always, he was blunt and matter of fact. Not that it bothered me anymore. Better to flatten a silly hope then let it take root and grow. Still, I struggled with this because I still fought to understand the timelines of when this all occurred.

I asked, “Why have I not aged? You believe what you’re saying to be the truth, I get that, but shouldn’t I have two hundred years worth of memory, or physically be older than I am?”

Breandan stroked one of my wing tips then followed the curve of my pinion down to my back. “Physically, you’re still growing.” His own wings flexed then and the corners of his mouth kicked back in a smile. “As am I. When we reach our prime our aging slows drastically. Combine this with our temperament and we begin to look matured yet remain … youthful in appearance. Our minds refresh themselves to stave away the apathy and ennui that comes with long life. Understand?” I nodded. Really, what else could I do? Burst into tears? Breandan smiled at me, and that was more than enough reward for sucking it up. “Do you remember what you did when we fought Devlin?”

My own smile slid from my face. A shudder rippled through me as I remembered the feeling of being stretched and yanked from one place to another. “Somehow I moved us from the forest into the old church.”

Breandan nodded. “No other fairy would think of attempting such a thing. Generally we do not hold enough power therefore physically it is not possible for us. Yet you managed to not only move yourself, but Devlin and myself, purely on instinct.”

From the look of awe on Conall’s face, I could tell this was a big deal. I eyed Breandan speculatively. “You didn’t seem shocked at the time.”

His face creased with amusement. “When have I ever looked shocked to you? When has Conall, Devlin, or Maeve? It is not something we experience often. And when we are surprised we adjust so quickly you’d be lucky to catch us suffering through it.” He smoothed his hand down the space between my wings and I squirmed. “We suspect Sorcha did something similar when Devlin and the warriors chased her down after she broke the amulets and took you. Only I don’t think it worked the same way.”

Conall reached to touch my shoulder, but then held back and looked down to his booted feet. “Our mother was powerful. Beautiful and powerful in ways not even her own family truly understood. When it happened those of us sensitive to magic felt it rattle our bones.” His eyes closed as if in memory. “Everything stopped and was quiet. A silence so loud it was deafening.”

The way he stood, arm reaching and ears twitching it was like he was back there, remembering. He had once told me that as a young boy he had peeked into my cradle. My eyes bugged as the implications of that became clear.

He smiled faintly, and when he opened his eyes, they were already trained on me. “I’ve been looking for you for a long time, little sister. It brings me joy to know that I did not fail you. I could not find you because you were not there to be found.”

I floundered, shook my head. Were they honestly trying to say my mother had used her magic to walk through an opening in time and leave me on a Temple Priests doorstep?

No, impossible.

“I’m struggling to accept this,” I admitted. “I mean, you can’t be serious.”

My brother touched my amulets briefly. “What are we Rae? What is the first thing I taught you about magic? ”

“That it’s energy.”

He nodded. “Energy that flows and connects all things. When you and Breandan touch how does the nexus manifest itself to you?”

I swallowed. Was this a trick question so that he could scold me? “Light,” I said tentatively. “Burning light.”

He smiled, but it did not reach his eyes. I saw a great sadness there and knew then he would never fully accept I had chosen Breandan over Lochlann. “And there is no power on this earth that moves faster than light,” he explained. “Do you understand now?”

Ana had told me when the nexus fully opened Breandan and I would become a Source in our own right, and be able to wield insurmountable power. We had all seen a glimpse of its destructive capabilities by the obliterated Temple grounds, but what it if a smaller portion of that power, say half, was focused on moving as fast as light itself. Could you move so fast it seemed you shifted from one location to another in a blink, like I had? Moving so fast your energy passed through, around, or over any stationary barrier. Was my magic that powerful? Ana could see the future … in a fashion. Ghost images constantly played out over what she saw in her waking hours. Though she could only focus on one possible future at a time, and often missed many, I did not get a feeling that she had ever lied or held back what she had seen. Could I use her Sight to an even greater advantage? Say she tells me a future path and I try to move fast enough to jump into it. Would I be able to jump back too?

I spoke slowly still reeling with the possibilities. “So if I focus enough I can move through–”

Breandan glared at me with such violence his eyes shifted from silver to black. He sent me a wave of caution so strong it hit me like a physical blow and I stumbled back. My ears rung and my stomach lurched dangerously.

Gods, at this rate there would be nothing left inside me.

“Banish the thought,” Breandan roared and took hold of my arms to shake me roughly. “What one can achieve does not pass over to the other. Every fairy is unique and none do the same thing the same way.” He lowered his voice and trembled as he struggled to control his reaction. “Should you try we cannot predict what would happen to you.”

“Our mother died, Rae,” Conall said softly as an explanation for Breandan’s fearful anger. “She was found dead in a circle of burning grass and you were gone.” My brother shrugged hopelessly. “Just … gone. Her magic had burnt out on the return journey. The only reason we knew you were still alive is when the years passed and a new Priestess was not born.”

When I had shifted us I had barely been able to stand and think straight. Attempting it again would have probably killed me ... like it had killed my mother.

Oh, Conall. My heart hurt for him. Everything and everyone he loved, the life he’d once had, simply disappeared overnight. My whole life I had thought my family had abandoned me, but it looked like I had been forced to abandon them. Amelia had told me Conall had visited her great grandmother searching for me. He had held onto the hope that I was alive and that he would bring me back to my rightful place amongst out people. He had shouldered the shame of our family, the burden of our legacy. Son to the murderess who broke the balance and sent away fairykind’s one hope to restore order.

There could only be one Priestess and since I was still alive for two hundred years the fairy race lost their spiritual leader. No wonder we were so fractured and lost. Worse, when she was found not only was she selfish, foolhardy, and scatterbrained, but she didn’t mate with the High Lord. She fell in love with his younger brother. And not any old mating, a dangerous bonding that rocked the foundations of their race a millennia before; their lost Priestess who spilt blood for vampires, and the humans who wanted them gone.

How could I repair such damage? I needed time to learn and grow but they needed me now. Things were happening now and as always I was hesitant, or too afraid to throw myself into what I was in fear I would lose myself.

Lochlann was an ass, but he did what he thought was best. Just like Conall. He had seen Lochlann as a leader who wanted to bring positive change. If I had been in his shoes wouldn’t I have done the same?

“I’m sorry,” I said to Conall quietly and before I talked myself out of it, I wrapped my arms around his waist. He was so bulky and big it took some effort on my part. I rested my head lightly on his chest. “I’m sorry I left you and that we had to spend our childhoods alone.”

Conall wrapped his bulging arms around me and buried his head in my hair. “All will be well,” he said roughly.

There was a soft thump of boots trying to walk away quietly and my eyes snapped open.

“Ana,” I said firmly and she froze, looking sheepishly over her shoulder.

“You and I are nowhere near done.” I disentangled myself from Conall’s arms and waited arms loose by my side. My wings flexed and extended again and the witch swallowed loudly. “Did your father send you to spy on the fairies?”

Ana lifted her chin. “It was my job to get close to Devlin, yes. To use my Sight to convince him I was on his side. I was to return after one month and report all I knew.” That month had come and gone yet still here she was. That spoke for itself. “I don’t want to be like him, Rae. Surely you can understand that? Not wanting to be like your parents … I don’t ... fit in,” her eyes welled with tears. “I don’t bend to the darkness like they do.”

“But that is where your magic comes from, isn’t it,” I said. “Humans were never supposed to be able to touch the Source and use magics. The Vodoun can use magics because their power does not come directly from the Source but from the Loa. They can only infuse other objects with magics and that’s why they use charms and fetishes or the bodies of those who have passed on.”

Everything came together. A clear understanding of how each race was connected and how they used the forces around us. I touched the amulets around my neck and glanced at Lex from the corner of my eye who nodded her head slowly.

“They can’t manifest like we fairies and the witches can,” I carried on, confident I was on the right track.

I had learnt a fairy’s temperament had a depth that made it complex. We were ruled almost entirely by instinct and our nature. It helped us adjust to things quickly, but humankind didn’t adjust well to sudden change they had no control over. They were passionate, strong-willed, resilient yet stubborn and single-minded. Their collective nature couldn’t handle the power, and always did they choose to walk the left hand path.

“But you’re an exception,” I blurted out loud, and my eyes widened. “Because of your Sight! You don’t have to choose one path because in a way you walk them all. You’re able to choose your own destiny.”

Triumphant, I beamed at her. Tears streamed down her cheeks, and my grin slid from my face. Ana dropped to her knees in front of me and bowed her head. Nimah started forward but Amelia held her twin back. I didn’t quite understand what was passing between those three, but I really didn’t have the time to worry about it.

Flustered, I waved my hands. “Well, don’t cry,” I squeaked, panicked.

I looked to Breandan for help and flushed harder. His face was a smug mix of pride and accomplishment. No doubt my bout of clarity helped prove to all present that no matter how much I proclaimed I didn’t know what I was doing that I was born to do this … that my wisdom was something that did not come from a passing of time but from whom I was.

“I’ve felt so alone and wicked for walking out on my family,” And said. “And in one moment you make my choice worth it.” She smiled up at me through her tears.

I opened my mouth to repeat my wish for her to stand the hell up, but something at the edge of the courtyard moving in the shadows over the rubble caught my attention.

My eyes slitted with resentment. Seriously, the crazy-assed fairy with snake hair, and a dangerously unnatural affinity with knives had come here? Wasp was Devlin’s life mate, and completely loyal. Was he here? Why had Ana not seen this? My gaze darted past her into the shadows from which she emerged. I narrowed my eyes further when no one appeared after her, and hissed, my hair crackling with the power I called to me, my wings unfurling.

Breandan side-stepped so he stood in front of me protectively, his wings sprung out to shield me. I blinked at this and felt disgruntled. It had taken me hours to use my wings without falling over and I was still getting the hang of them.

“I am alone,” Wasp said in the gritty voice I remembered, and stepped forward into pale beams of moonlight.

Breandan and Conall all looked at me, waiting for an answer. I shrugged. At my calm acceptance, the tension in the air wound down, but I was still taut. A memory of this girl pulling Lex’s neck back flashed across my memory, but before I could say anything around binding her, a shriek of rage shattered the stillness.

A streak of white knocked Wasp over. She flipped up to land silently on her feet then spun and kicked Lex in the stomach when the zombie-girl lunged for her again. Lex landed in an ungainly sprawl as Wasp eased into a loose crouch.

She cocked her head. “They made you a zombie,” she laughed without mirth and without missing a beat her gaze flicked to me. “You are pathetic.”

“Enough,” Conall barked. He picked Lex’s trembling body up and patted her on the head as one would a favorite pet. Ro came to her side and hovered, wary of the fairy. Conall left them and turned to face Wasp, crossing his huge arms across his torso and tilting his head, face displeased. “You are not among friends. You will show respect here.”

Wasp narrowed her red eyes at him. She straightened. “By fairy law I am leader here.” She tipped her head back in a queenly way, but I saw a flicker of doubt crack her untouchable facade. “You will not harm me. I am the mate of the High Lord.”

I blew out a breath, fed up of her posturing, and stepped around Breandan. “You think that means anything to me?”

Her lip curled. “You are not my Priestess, you vapid excuse for a royal.”

“And you are not my High Lady,” I replied easily. She could not offend me with disrespecting a title I had no love for. “You’re lucky you’re still standing in one piece. The fairies may not bother to hurt you but there’s shifters here whom I’m sure want payback for how you and Devlin treated them.” My eyes flicked to look over her shoulder and I pursed my lips thoughtfully. “That is … if a witch doesn’t get you first.”

Breandan sighed and in a blink was behind Wasp, catching a thin arm mid swing, and holding firm. Wasp stumbled back, eyes wide with shock, but kept her mouth shut. She nodded, stiff-necked, as thanks to Breandan who did not respond.

My fairy shot me a look of consternation and I stared back blankly. He fought a smile. “I will make a peacekeeper of you yet,” he murmured. He plucked the knife from Ana’s grip and shook his head at her. Handing back the knife hilt first and said, “This is not who you are.”

She snatched the blade from him and slotted it back into her boot. “She hurt me.” A rare glimpse of vulnerability claimed Ana’s expression, and her eyes shone with tears. “She hurt me, and I want to hurt her.”

Breandan’s fingers brushed away a tear. “You know that is not the way.”

She swallowed and surprisingly looked at me for back up. I hesitated, but the sliver-kissed pressure at the edge of my mind spoke to my sensibilities. I shook my head. “He’s right. She’ll pay for her crimes,” my voice hardened, “and I promise her punishment will be more than suitable for the pain she’s caused. But even I know killing her will achieve nothing.”

“Especially if you fools wish to try and finish your nonsensical attempt at rebellion.” Wasp rallied her courage and stood hand on hip. Her dreadlocks bristled and her scarlet eyes were cool as she locked gazes with Breandan. “The vampires have Devlin. I want him back and you, boy, you and your insipid mate are going to help me.”

Ignoring her poisonous tongue, Breandan and Conall shared alarmed looks.

“The grimoire?” Conall asked. “Do they have the book?”

“Hidden,” she replied then tutted at their expectant stares. She flicked her hands at us all with blatant derision. “Not by me, fools.”

My fairy hissed. “Says one idiot enough to pass through a vampire city.”

“We had no choice we were trying to lose those who hunted us.” She glared at him pointedly. “The vampires ambushed us as we passed the inner city, and forced us into a corner.” Her handsome face creased with pain and her forest green skin paled. “I was separated from Devlin and the others were slaughtered. Only Loki and I made it out alive. Everyone else was drained dry. We went back during the day with the intention of freeing him but the Nest is … larger than we expected.”

I frowned and glanced at Breandan who did not react at Loki’s name. I thought he had killed the fairy warrior loyal to Devlin. I vaguely remembered his up-titled eyes and red Mohawk.

“How big?” Conall asked.

“Four hundred strong at least. That excludes those who went underground elsewhere in the city.”

“Lies,” Alec interjected and I started. I had forgotten he was there next to Byron who still had his beefy arms around his daughters. Maeve was tucked under Alec’s arm and smiled at me shyly before her gaze travelled up to the shifter again, not bothering to hide her adoration. Hell, when we fairies fell we fell hard. “No Nest is that big,” Alec finished.

Wasp turned to glare at him. With a few flicks of her ruby irises she had his measure and sneered, ivory fangs glinting in the failing daylight. “I am a warrior, kitty-cat. I can infiltrate a Nest and steal something from those dead things with my eyes closed. I know what I saw.” She turned her attention to Breandan and a cruel, seductive smile curled one side of her pouty lips. I resisted the urge to throw myself at her and gouge her eyes out. “You know I’m telling the truth. I swear it.” The air thickened with magics as she said the words.

Conall sighed heavily, his big chest puffing out and collapsing, slumping his shoulders. “This is not good. The humans will regroup and there is no doubt they will declare open war. Our race is fractured, and we have lost the grimoire.” Conall turned to Wasp and was sincerely apologetic. “There is no time for this. I would not wish Devlin’s predicament on any being, but we cannot–”

“But we have our weapon,” Wasp interjected irritably, and jerked her chin at me. “Useless as she seems she is all we need. We throw her power at them, scatter, and confuse them. They’ll be too busy fanging every shadow that moves and trying to work out how to get their lips on her pretty neck rather than worry about Devlin.”

“No,” Breandan said, eyes seemingly far away.

“Let me be plain.” Wasp took a step forward and stood in the centre of the group as if addressing an assembly of her followers. “I am here because I have no other choice. Clearly Rae is the next Priestess, may the gods spare us from another of Sorcha’s bloodline. As if they have not caused, and are not causing enough trouble, but this is not something you can say ‘no’ to. It is her purpose. The High Lord has been captured and she is the only one with enough power to get him out of there alive. Since you are no more than a mere rabble of children, it is not surprising you are reluctant to march yourselves in reach of those with common sense. No doubt you can tell I do not give a damn whether or not every single one of you dies if it means Devlin is returned to me and our people safely.” She looked us each in the face, silently marking us all as expendable. “We go in there and we get him out. That is the end of it. No discussion, no questions, and no fawning over a silly weakling who is too fearful to place the needs of others above her own and lead.” Her words were directed at me and I glowered at her. “The vampires cannot be allowed to keep our lord without swift and brutal retaliation.”

Breandan simply … shrugged, unaffected by her outburst. “I will not condone starting a war for your mate.”

“And I will not allow our race to dwindle and die as you foolishly try to shield yours. This is inevitable. The vampires are moving against us and you’re too lust blinded to see it.” Wasp shook her head, lips twisted in dislike. “I can’t believe I have to be the one to point this out to you, but have you not considered Devlin does not want to mate Rae? You two could be together, accepted as you are and have a place in the tribe if he remains High Lord.” She motioned to me. “Try to tell a lie and say that is not what you want.” She eyed us both speculatively then understanding dawned and her face smoothed out. She was beautiful when her face was not scowling. Her skin was darker than Maeve’s, more like the leaves of the Fir tree and her hair was richer and thicker. She was tall, nearly as tall as Breandan and her muscles were defined hinting at speed and strength. “I can tell you no longer carry the word of your brother. You are outcast.” She smiled, her green lips pulling back. “You did this for the Priestess, yes? Because by law she would have to be Lochlann’s and if you’d remained oath-sworn you would have to stand aside and watch him claim her.” Breandan said nothing but flicked a troubled glance my way. Wasp laughed, a screeching warble that made more than once person wince. “I’ll admit I am surprised Lochlann allowed this to go so far. He could have been powerful with her at his side.” Her laugh puttered out to a chuckle. “Then I suppose he had no choice. We are all fools in love.”

“No. Lochlann will never back down it is not his way. They only way would be for him to…. I will not allow any harm to come to my family.” Breandan’s jaw clenched. “Lochlann will let us–” With a gasp he cut off. He took a few bracing breathes. Whatever he was going to say he did not believe it and that made it a lie.

I moved closer to him, worried. “What do we do?” I asked in the tense silence.

“By the gods, is she always this needy?” Wasp asked, incredulous. “How do you stand it?”

Breandan placed both his hands on the side of my neck and let his hands flow down, soothing. “We return to face my brother. In time we will get the grimoire back, and in the meantime we prepare for war.” I jerked, stared at him anxiously. “The humans will not stop nor will they show mercy. It is us or them.” His hands briefly brushed over the scars on my shoulders and arms. “And I chose us.”

My brow crumpled, I was upset. “This can’t be. You won’t erase one species but two. The vampires will die out because … they need human blood don’t they? I remember reading that human blood is their natural food source. So if the human population becomes extinct….”

The collective silence told me all I needed to know about what they thought of that potential risk.

“Many are in danger,” Conall said to cover the awkwardness. “Lochlann needs to know about this. With Devlin gone he is High Lord.”

“He is not gone,” Wasp said angrily. “He is captured and all we must do is save him. Your under lord does not hold the throne yet.”

Wasp walked over to me, a steely glint in her eye. I kept my back straight and showed no fear though my heart was pounding. I knew she could hear it, they could all hear it but I locked my joints and stiffened to stop myself trembling.

Her eyes flicked over me curiously. “Nice scars. Almost puts my work to shame. Who knew humans could be so skilled and inventive.”

I wrapped my arms around my torso, holding myself together. There was a low rumble from Breandan, but he did not move. I knew he was giving me space to stand my own ground, but right then I wouldn’t mind him smashing her face in, because from the churning and lurching in my stomach I was not going to be fit for much more than bending over in a corner somewhere.

“So,” Wasp continued casually, “did they use pincers on your wings or a branding iron?”

My stomach clenched painfully. Spinning around, I fell to my knees and retched.

The atmosphere shifted dramatically.

There was a small hand at my head, running a soothing hand down my back. Peering at me in concern, Maeve stroked my back. I looked away, nodded that I was okay.

A wave of embarrassment had me ducking down and tears stinging my eyes. So not only was I clueless, a misfit, and scarred. I was weak bellied and considered a coward for wanting us to find a non-violent way to end the feud between human and demon. I scrunched my fingers together in the hard packed dirt. I did not feel strong anymore. Everything was so screwed up. I was looked to for guidance and strength and I could barely keep myself from jumping at my own shadow.

But no matter how bad I felt, or how ashamed or self-conscious I was, I had a job to do. One I had to be successful at. I would be brave until I felt brave. At the least, I could show courage even if I felt hideous inside.

“Quiet,” I said aloud.

The snarling ruckus behind me stopped dead. Heaving myself up I brushed dirt off my knees and hands.

“Ah, the delicate one speaks,” Wasp spat.

“Hag,” Lex shrieked and swiped at her with clawed fingers but Ro quickly grabbed her wrist and yanked her back.

Amelia snarled and got in Wasps face. Most surprising was Nimah was there too – in-between her twin and Ana – looking the fiercest of the three.

Conall and Breandan seemed about to come to blows, as usual. My brother made calming gestures, cautioning Breandan to use restraint as he eyeballed Wasp balefully.

Alec looked pretty mad too, but was held back by Maeve, her slender green hand clasping his tightly. I had less than a moment to recognize the surprise in his expression and the longing in hers.

Runt was positively animated – darting around between their legs – not sure who to scratch or bite, but the way his eyes kept landing on Wasp told me he had a good idea of where to start.

These demons stood for me, were ready to fight for me. Rae the oddball, who was indecisive, scared of making the wrong move or saying the wrong thing. None of them looked at me any differently when they had seen my scars, the mutilation to my skin.

Breandan called me beautiful.

Yeah, I got picked on big time when I made a mistake, but they were always there to help pick me back up. To help save me so I could save others. And I couldn’t grow up and suck up my insecurities?

“I know at times I seem, weak, or afraid. And you’re right. I’m scared nearly all the time and I know I make mistakes.” I cringed and rubbed my nose. “Lots of mistakes … but I promise I am trying, and I’ll get better.” Gathering confidence, I blew out a breath. “What’s happening here isn’t all about me, so let’s not make it all about me. There is something huge and world changing about to go off. What we decide here will shape our future, and that of all species, human and demon. Both are important.” The entire group seemed stumped. Eyes got wide; breaths came harder as they widened their perspectives. They were listening to me. With all the attention, I blushed, and wound my hands into my tunic. “So, uh, we’d better … um … I mean….” I straightened and lifted my chin. “We need to make the right damn decisions the first time round.” Silence. “Don’t you agree?” I finished in a small voice.

“I could go get Kalcifer,” Nimah offered. “We could use some muscle if we’re seriously going to consider meeting up with the vampires.”

Grateful for some of the attention to be shifted off me, I nodded enthusiastically then asked curiously, “Kalcifer is who?”

“A were-wolf,” she clarified. “Though they’ll only be useful for a couple of days. The moon cycle does mess them up big time. Damn witches and their curses. Just imagine it, being tied to the lunar cycle, unable to control your shift.” Her head shook in sympathy. “Kal’s pack is a two day run to the South. They hibernate at the tip of the region before the sea. Apparently there are fairies up there too that his Pack has been having troubles with. He’ll be grumpy, but he’ll forgive us.”

Ro made a sound of confusion. “Wolves are solitary.”

“Full wolf’s maybe, but for shifters the motto is safety in numbers. I know if we tell them of the human threat they’ll help us.”

“Kalcifer is temperamental,” Byron advised, rubbing his beard. “Alec will go instead.”

The shifter-boy stiffened, his gaze cutting from his Alpha to Maeve then to the floor. His lips twisted with the unsaid. He would not want to send Maeve back to Lochlann on her own. Not when humans were roaming around looking for vengeance, but he could not openly disobey his Alpha without making his reasons for wanting to go with her plain.

“I’m thinking....” I cleared my throat as Byron’s stone like stare turned on me. “Maeve shouldn’t go on her own to get Lochlann.” I lifted my chin. Any higher and I wouldn’t be able to see past my own nose. “In fact, I say she is not.”

“It’s okay, Rae.” Maeve gave me a small smile. “I am not afraid.” I might have believed her if her voice didn’t wobble.

“No. You need an escort and I’m sorry but your brother stays with me.” I slid a look Breandan’s way and flushed at the look of pleasure that flashed across his expression. “And I’m not ready to go back to either of the Wylds yet. I need to go get Devlin.”

This was met with silence. Then Wasp said, “Finally, some loyalty.”

Ana, eyes fixed on Wasp distrustfully said, “Devlin’s future is no longer tied to yours, Rae. I cannot see him at all anymore, and I am pretty sure that means he’s–” She cut a look at Wasp who stood rigid at her words. “Well, I don’t think you should go. The vampire city will take you too close to my father’s Coven.”

Breandan drew me into him and rubbed his cheek on the top of my head, sighing. “You cannot go into a vampire city and crash about looking for a fairy High Lord who wants your power. It is little more than suicide. And Ana is right. I am not letting you out of my sight and I am going nowhere near that city.” His high handedness annoyed me, but I let him keep up this rare public display of affection and possession. It felt good, and this was not the time or the place to argue with him.

Ignoring both him and the witch I said, “Alec will escort Maeve.” I leaned around Breandan to pin Byron with my glare, showing him how serious I was. “After all I’ve done for you I insist on it.”

Byron went red, puffed out his ruddy cheeks and broad chest. “I don’t have to do anything for you fairy.”

“And what of the bargain?” Amelia asked. She went toe to toe with her father. “I thought the deal was Rae save us and then you would help her track this fairy lord.” She crossed her hands over her chest. “The fairy was found without Pack help. The debt we have incurred from this bargain has not been paid. The least we can do is give the young fairy-girl an escort home.”

“Rae saved me,” Alec added softly. “It would have been me the Clerics caught had she not….” He did not look at me, embarrassed. “Her scars are my fault and I … she has suffered … I owe her.”

Byron leveled a quelling look at his second-in-command then turned his big head to regard his eldest daughter, His expression shifted into admiration. “You’ve spoken wisely, younglings, I am in agreement.”

Alec breathed out and the radiant smile he and Maeve shared had my heart rolling over in my chest.

Nimah looked satisfied too. “I’m going to go get Kalicfer.” Her eyes cut to Alec and Maeve briefly. “I’m not needed here. You can’t leave the Pride Dad, and Amelia has business elsewhere.”

Her twin blinked rapidly. “I do?”

Nimah smirked and bobbed her head in Runt’s direction. “Second to Rae, you’re the only one who can control the pest. We need to at least try to ask goblinkind for their help.”

Amelia pursed her lips. “I see your point. They are strong.” She cleared her throat and blushed. “I too would like an escort.” Her eyes darted to Ana who now had pink in her waxy cheeks and was smiling at her shyly.

“I suppose,” the witch began, her tiny hands twisting in front of her in agitation, “that I could go too. I know some magic and my Sight would keep us well out of harm’s way.”

“A good idea,” Breandan said and shot a glance at me, his eyebrow quirked.

“What will you do?” Byron asked me curiously. “I doubt you will go to the vampire city. Your mate seems resolute.”

I made a rude noise, but didn’t disagree. I had no doubt that Breandan would rather die than let me go into the vampire city. “I know. I suppose I’m going to make myself useful by training. I need to get my magics under control to have any chance at defeating the he-witch I faced today.”

I scrunched up my nose. The idea of facing Cael again did not appeal to me at all. The shield from Papa Obe had worked wonders on his black magics, but I doubted it would hold for long, and a witch of his power would find a way around it. I needed to learn more about the Coven Father. Where did he fit into all of this? I had many questions to ask Breandan and Conall, but now was not the time or the place. I could confidently guess that since the grimoire was a book of witchcraft, that Cael wanted it for some evil end or other. It explained why he was so drawn to my amulets. Even though the book was almost in his grasp, he still needed the key, which hung around my neck. It was only a matter of time before I had to face him again … or was there more too it than that? Unlike the fairies whose magic was structured around rules of engagement, I was certain a witch would have no problem simply taking the amulets from me. Cleric Tu had proved that. So why did the he-witch focus his mind on the Temple, announcing himself and his intentions when he had the perfect element of surprise. He could have taken the amulets from me before I knew what was happening. More than this, why did I feel like I knew him? I still did not have the full story and it was beginning to bug me. There was the huge piece of the puzzle I was missing. I was so close, yet so far.

“I need to somehow figure out how to fight the effects of iron, or how to store magics within me,” I said out loud. “Is that possible without an amulet or charm?” I had intended the question to be answered by Conall, but I realized he was not next to me. I scanned the rubble for my brother, my teacher, wondering why he had been so quiet for so long.

Alec whistled to catch my attention and threw a thumb over his shoulder.

Conall was asleep standing up. Head bowed, and leaned slightly to the side, his chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm. A snore rumbled from his throat.

A bubble of laughter from Ana had me in fits of giggles. Resting my head on Breandan’s chest I was thrilled to feel his own body shaking with repressed laughter.

Wasp clapped her hands together in irritation. “What about my mate? Or have you forgotten?”

My giggles stopped and were replaced with a grim smile. “No. I remember the problem of Devlin quite well. I have an idea.”

Stepping away from Breandan I searched through the darkness. I looked inward, felt along the blood tie and called him to me. I wish I could have given him space but we simply didn’t have the time. I turned the moment Tomas stepped from the shadows. Our circle swelled outward, openly distrustful of the vampire in their midst.

I stepped forward and jerked my head toward the other side of the courtyard where it lead into the desolate Temple. Tomas walked off and I followed behind.

Breandan caught my hand, eyes narrow and panicked.

“We need an ally with the vampires,” I soothed. “You know this.”

Dangerous.

The word came with a flood of emotion. Jealousy. It was a warning that had my nature twisting in discomfort. I sent back a wordless wave of reassurance. Tomas and I had so much between us. I would be fine and he had to see this.

Breandan let me go, fingers releasing their hold one by one with reluctance. “Alright,” he said flatly.

My eyes wandered to Conall. “Will you find him somewhere to sleep? Away from this place, we can’t stay here.”

“We all need to rest before we go our separate ways,” he said thoughtfully. “I will find somewhere.” Oh, my heart swelled at the sight of him. Trust, it was a beautiful thing. He smiled; showing his fang-like teeth then yanked me back to him. “Kiss me,” he demanded.

I gave him a timid look from under my lashes. “In front of everybody?”

He dipped his head down to flick the tip of his tongue over my lips. Inhaling in a rush, I fluttered my wings as he pulled me to him. I fiercely crushed my lips to his. Pulling away, his eyes were wide and burning with the silver-blue flames I loved. I flushed and gave him a challenging look, which he intensified and returned. He kissed me again and I clamped one arm around his back. The other fisted in the dark hair now cresting his head.

There was a not so subtle throat clearing, giggles and long-suffering sighs that became grumbling mutters about public displays of affection.

“Rae! Off!” Conall barked unexpectedly not sounding at all sleepy. Thunderous brow smoothing, he shrugged his shoulders helplessly, eyes darting every-which-way. “Perhaps, it does not even matter now the bond is sealed.”

Jerking away from Breandan guiltily, I stumbled. My wings flexed straightened me out and I settled them neatly against my back. I knew Conall would bestow his blessing on my mating with Breandan, but it was done now. Surprisingly, the blood tie was still there. I knew Breandan had been sure it would break when we mated, but I had a feeling Tomas was bound to me till death, and since he was immortal, that meant pretty much for the rest of my life.

Breandan pressed a cracker into my hand. “Eat,” he ordered then strode away, motioning the others to trail him.

I flicked my tail at Alec when he gave me a cheeky thumb up and followed Maeve.

Trotting after Tomas, smiling, and blushing furiously, I clutched that damn cracker like it was a gift from the gods.