Finlay and I had the strongest connection out of all of them, and could go the farthest. I wasn’t sure if I liked that or not.
I changed back, and as Finlay came up to my side, so did he. “We’re strong shifters,” he commented. I grunted in response.
Finlay gave a chuckle. “You’re a grumpy bastard.”
“I’ve got a lot on my mind,” I replied. Finlay’s look was concerned, but he didn’t ask about Emma, and I was glad he didn’t. I didn’t feel like talking about it.
As class ended and shifters began to disperse, Finlay asked, “Ethan, would you mind coming with me?”
Curiosity peaked at my attention. “For what?” Finlay and I weren’t friends. I couldn’t imagine what he wanted from me.
Finlay’s eyes got dark. “There’s something a group of us have been meaning to ask you. Will you listen?”
I bet anything this had something to do with my time spent as the Phantom. I nearly turned him down, but I saw the look in his eyes was desperate. Something more was going on.
Aware that he was dragging me into something I probably shouldn’t get involved in, I sighed. “Lead the way.”
To my surprise, Finlay took me to Professor Mara’s classroom. As we entered, I saw Professor Mara pacing in front of her desk. She looked up, clearly relieved at my arrival.
Finlay’s girlfriend, Amantha, was here too, sitting on top of one of the desks and swinging her legs back and forth. She gave a bold smile to Finlay when she saw I was in tow.
Finlay cautiously closed the door, and Professor Mara lifted her hand, to cast an illusion spell over the room so we wouldn’t be overheard.
“Okay, so you’ve brought me here,” I began. “What is it you want?”
Professor Mara came forward. “We’re asking for your support.”
“For what?”
She took a hasty breath. “Many of us in the country— well, we agree that something has to be done.”
“About?”
“The king and queen.”
My mouth ran dry, aware that we were already talking treason. I spun on my heel and went to head for the door, but Finlay blocked my path.
“Just hear her out,” he said. I scowled, but turned back to Professor Mara, waiting for an explanation.
“We are what is called the Malovian Revolution,” Professor Mara said. “We are a secret group of fae in Dolinska who do not agree with the rule of the king, and seek to overturn him. Most of us are based here, at the university. Many are young, but there are some teachers, too.”
“A revolution of students against the crown.” I raised an eyebrow. “You have to be kidding me.”
“People were inspired after your trial,” Mara said. “The Phantom was more than a vigilante. He was an emblem for justice. So many want to take up that mantle and make a change.”
“The Phantom is dead. That life is behind me.”
“We don’t need the Phantom. We need you,” Mara said. “You are a fallen prince abandoned by the crown. There is no better person we could—”
I became aware of what she was asking me. I took a step back. “No. I won’t participate in this fool’s errand.”
“It’snota fool’s errand.” Amantha’s eyes flashed, and she came forward. “The Malovian Revolution is the one way to change things. The more fae we have on our side, the greater chance we can unseat Gabby and Elijah from the throne. Finlay and I joined the revolution because we knew it was a just cause, not a hopeless one.”
“How many do you have?”
“A few dozen,” Mara replied without batting an eye.
I snorted. “That’s hardly anything. Nothing to fight against Elijah’s armies with. If you wanted to cause such an insurrection, you’d need hundreds. Thousands, even, if the people of Dolinska chose to rise up with you.”
