And Niall didn’t sound happy about it. Theyhadn’t discussed it, but he was sure Niall suspected the same ashim—this ball was not going to end well.
“Who in the Gloaming do you trust?” Coleasked.
“Besides you and Brokk?”
“Yes.”
“Completely?”
“Yes.”
“No one.”
Cole felt much the same way, but he’d hopedNiall would have a different answer. “If things go badly at theball, the Lord is going to come for the Gloaming.”
“I think that’s his intention.”
Cole glanced at the head of his guard. Therewas a reason Niall had risen to his position and a reason hesurvived the war; he was far from a dumb man.
“He wants me under his thumb,” Cole said. “Heplans to prove to everyone who attends this shit show that he hasthe king of the Gloaming right where he wants him. He’s going tomake it clear to all the leaders of the realms that they have nochance against him.”
“Everyone knows this realm is one of thestrongest… if notthestrongest outside of Dragonia.”
That was true, or at least it was before therebellion killed more dark fae, ruined their homes, and destroyedtheir land. Now, the Gloaming was hurting, as were itsresidents.
If his father hadn’t stockpiled so much food,they might also face a famine issue, but they should have plenty oftime to replant the land before anyone went hungry. And he wouldmake sure to start refilling their larders as the new crops camein.
Even after the rebellion and the number oftroops they lost during the war, they were still a powerfulspecies. The only realm that might be stronger than them was theLunar realm, but the lycans were often too busy fighting each otherto band together enough to become a problem.
If the lycans ever got on the same side ofthings, they would be a fierce enemy or ally. But they all enjoyedfighting each other too much for that to happen any time soon.
His uncle Maverick had a firm handle on hispack, but his was one of many in the Lunar realm. Even with asstrong an alpha as Maverick was, some of his wolves rebelled duringthe war.
A couple of Maverick’s pack members hadchallenged his position as alpha since the war. They saw thedefection of some of his pack as a sign of weakness. They allregretted their decision.
His uncle had told Cole he’d been invited tothe ball and congratulated him on his engagement. He requested tomeet in person, but Cole didn’t have time.
He’d sent a crow back explaining this andtold his uncle he would see him at the ball. His uncle sent back asimple reply.See you then.
In the other realms, the witches and warlockswere strong, but they didn’t have the army of the dark fae. The wardecimated the fae military, and they lost more during therebellion, but it was still larger than most and well trained.
But its smaller size was one of the manyreasons the Lord felt Cole couldn’t stand up to him. Lexi wasanother one.
When he felt the shadows rising inside him,he turned away from Niall. He trusted the man with his life. Morethan that, he trusted Niall withLexi’slife, but there weresome secrets he still wasn’t ready to share, and the shadows wereone of them.
CHAPTER 41
“If things go wrong, we’re going to have toget as many dark fae out of the Gloaming as possible,” Colesaid.
“Should we evacuate them now?” Niallasked.
“No. If the Lord hears of that, he’ll make usall pay for it, and there is someone here telling him things. If wetry to remove any dark fae, he’ll know about it and retaliate.”
“Do you have any suspects?”
“One,” Cole said. “But there could be dozens…if not more.”
“Most of the dark fae residing in this areaare still working to put the homes together. If something happensat the ball, they’ll be in the field. And if nothing happens untiltomorrow night, then I’ll have the men stay with me in thefield.”
