“We know what we saw, Zoey,” Dominic said. He eyed Silva. “You’re Fae royalty?”
Silva tucked her hair behind her ear before she straightened her back and held her head high. From the pose, Kalinda could see so much more than she’d noticed before. Silva’s grace, her way of managing and delegating. She’d known how to do it all because of her position within the Fae Realm.
“Yes. To put it the quickest, I’m sort of the Queen of the Fae?”
“Sort of?!” Zoey screeched.
“Well, I am, but the position is one with stipulations. It’s hard to explain it all, but basically, the Fae were created for two reasons: to manage the fate of Earth and to walk beside the Old Ones. Over time, and due to the evolution of humans, we’ve taken a seat to the back, but we still are called in times of great need.”
“Is that why your blood called you to me?” Kalinda mused.
“Yes, and no. Not just any Fae would come for you. Your line is of the eldest, and as such, the royals are your bound protectors. We cannot deny coming to your aid. It’s a blood compact created so long ago the paperwork is farting dust now, but you get the picture.”
“You don’t sound much like an ancient queen,” Romano said.
Silva rolled her eyes. “I’ve been living as a normal Fae, not remembering any of my old manners and teachings. The information is back, but the control isn’t.” She shrugged. “Don’t think I mind it that much. I like me this way. Besides, I wasn’t exactly the best queen.”
“That’s what led to you being bound?”
Leave it to Dominic to go for the information. The man had no interest in frills. They had been sitting in his living room since the “Kalinda Can Fly” incident, and the pack lands had been put on lockdown. They were still waiting on the scenters to get back with more information.
“I lost my sister, and this was my punishment. I was … conceited and bloated with my power. No Ales had been around for so long, and we forgot what that felt like. I was too comfortable and wasn’t paying attention, too into my own life and wealth. My sister paid the price.”
“I’m so sorry.” Kalinda grabbed her hand. “Losing someone is never easy.”
“No. It’s not.”
For a moment, Silva’s eyes were haunted before she blinked, clearing away the emotion. “For now, what matters is, I have a way to beat the Trinity.”
“I’m all fucking ears,” Dominic answered.
A knock at the door ended the conversation, and Romano moved to open the door. Pasquale, walked in. He’d been the best scenter for the Bianchi Pack before they’d joined the Lombardi Pack. Dominic had kept him in place after the changeover.
“Alpha, we found the culprits.”
Romano gripped the door, the wood creaking under the force. “Who?”
His voice was more growl than sound, and it went straight to Kalinda’s nether regions. God, he was hot.
“Three lion shifters. By scent, members of the Viscount Pride.”
“Retaliation.”
Romano spun at Arturo’s voice. Behind him was Zahara. They came in together, Zahara’s gaze scanning over Kalinda and Silva with a mysterious smile before it locked on to Dominic. Kalinda didn’t know exactly how to describe that look. Craving? Sadness? A mixture of both? She glanced over at Zoey, but the Alpha mate was too busy looking at Pasquale.
Wonder what that’s about …
“Arturo,” Dominic greeted.
“Dominic. The men they found are dead. It seems Kalinda’s magic has some combat use as well.”
Kalinda perked up at that. “Say what?”
“I could smell old magic all over them, and it was directive,” Pasquale explained.
“She turned them against each other?” Romano whistled. “Good one, baby.”
“Why would they be retaliating by shooting Silva?” That didn’t make any sense. Yeah, they’d lost the chance to get Kalinda and Zoey, but that didn’t mean they had to keep going with attacks.
