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“They would punish me. There are crypts deep in the fortress, and they contain the shades of the dead historians who have passed out of our realm. When someone does something egregious, they’re locked down there for a time with only the shadows and ghosts for company. They seldom ever break another rule.”
She sobered, then shook her head before Luna could say anything. “I chose to do this. You needed my help. I understand why. I told them I was taking family leave for an emergency. This qualifies.”
“We can’t ever let them find out. I can’t bear that you might undergo that treatment.” Luna paused. “You could stay with us. When it’s over. I miss you.”
Zoey frowned, staring at her feet. “You know I am Akazzani. I’ve lived my entire life thinking I will die in the fortress. I have broken the rules for you, but I don’t know if I could willingly leave them. They are my family, Luna, in a way you and our parents can never again be.” She pressed her lips together.
Luna let out a little cry, clutching the table. I could tell the comment had cut her to the quick and that she was trying not to burst into tears. I wasn’t sure if I should say anything or let it go.
Kaylin, however, wasn’t as reticent as I. “If Luna isn’t your family, what the hell are you doing here? If she’s family enough to break the rules for, then obviously she’s more important than the rest of your colleagues.” He leaned over Luna and placed a protective hand on her shoulder. She glanced up, a startled look on her face, but smiled at him.
Zoey’s eyes narrowed, and she looked to be on the verge of making some snide retort, but then she just shook her head. “You don’t understand. I didn’t mean I don’t love her—or my parents. But there’s a bond…It is created when we are brought into the Akazzani, and nothing short of expulsion can break it.”
“Don’t argue, please.” Luna let out a short sigh. “If we are to work magic for Grieve, we have to be united. Let it go, Kaylin. If Zoey is happier with the Akazzani, she should remain with them.” And that was the end of that.
Wrath intervened as well. “Cicely, you must be exhausted. Rhiannon, Grieve, Chatter, Kaylin, all of you as well. Go rest. You will need the reserves tonight.” He stopped me as we filed out of the room, drawing me to the side.
“What is it?” I glanced up at him.
He lifted my chin, looking into my eyes. “Tonight be cautious, my daughter. There will be bloodlust flying. I have foreseen it. The power of the winds, they are now a part of you in a way that you do not yet realize. The fan—open it now.”
I pulled out my fan, spreading it open. As I held it in my hand, I realized I couldn’t feel any sparkle of magic from it, no tingle, no…nothing. “What happened?”
“You became the hurricane. You became the wind. The power of the fan transferred into your soul. You no longer need it to harness the winds. You can pass it on to another because now you are part of its Element. But it’s a double-edged sword. Because you no longer need an anchor, it makes you dangerous. You haven’t had a chance to train yet, to realize just all you can do.”
I sighed, leaning against his shoulder. “First, I find out I’m not just magic-born but that I’m also half–Cambyra Fae. Then I find out I was Myst’s daughter in a past life and that obsidian sets off the bloodlust still in my soul. And now you tell me that the winds have settled in my being? I feel like I’m losing myself.”
“No, my daughter, you are actually in the process of finding out who you really are. In time, all of this will become second nature. You are evolving, Cicely, into a force like none I’ve ever seen. You are vulnerable, in danger, but the potential within you is frightening.” He stroked my shoulder gently, placing a soft kiss on the top of my head. “When we go to protect Lannan this evening, you must be cautious when you call on the winds.”>Lainule was waiting for us, looking fresh and vibrant, like she’d never been sick. But when Wrath kissed her hand, a tear rolled down her cheek, dropping to his fingers. He pressed it to his lips, gently sucking it up. Something was definitely afoot, and I intended to find out what, but right now was not the time. Especially since she was surrounded by a dozen burly warriors.
The men were hardened—even I could tell that—and while they were full Cambyra Fae, they looked as deadly, if not more so, than any Were or yummanii. They were decked out in armor the color of the sun, and they carried dark blades—obsidian daggers like mine. The presence of so much of the stone sang to me, and I licked my lips as I eyed the serrated edges, wanting to reach out and touch one of them. Wrath looked at me, then at the blades, and slowly shook his head.
But Lainule ignored my reaction. “These men will fight for you. They will protect Lannan, and they will protect you. They will offer up their lives if need be, and should any of Myst’s unholy Shadow Hunters arrive, they will battle to the death.”
I focused my attention on them again, tearing my gaze away from their daggers. “We thank you. In this battle no one can stand alone against Myst and the Indigo Court. Have any of you encountered the Vampiric Fae before?”
Even as I said it, I wanted to sink into the ground. I was an idiot—a total fucking jerk. “I’m so sorry,” I said, biting my tongue. “I did not mean to…” I stopped, just stopped. Anything I said would make it worse, I decided.
Their gazes did not flicker, but a ripple ran through the group. Lainule smiled at me softly when she saw my discomfort.
“Yes, you remember now. All of these men lost loved ones. They watched Myst’s horde tear them to bits, eat their hearts out alive. The floors of my barrow ran red with blood the day the Indigo Court lay siege. They did not stop for children or women or the old and infirm. All who could not run were devoured or enslaved. Some—like Grieve—were turned to be their allies and servants. A few—like Chatter—were saved by the grace of those who could keep their sanity after the change. So, yes, Cicely, all of these men have met Myst in battle, and all would give their lives for revenge. However, they’ve been ordered to act only when you and your friends give orders. They will come to you later this day, at Lannan’s mansion, and they will journey with you through the night. I will not be far from hand, either.”
As Wrath led us back through the portal, Rhia turned to me.
“What do we do if Myst doesn’t show?” She kept her voice low. But I could tell everyone else had heard her.
“She will be there—or her allies. There will be blood tonight.”
We headed back to Lannan’s mansion, grim. Along the way, I could only wonder what waited in store for us this evening—and just how bad the carnage would be.
The first thing that happened when we walked through the door to what had been Geoffrey’s manor was that Kaylin hurried toward us, looking haggard but relieved. He motioned for us to follow him into one of the side rooms, where we found a luxurious lunch set out.
Lannan’s touch was obvious—exotic meats and cheeses lined the table, along with fresh bread hot from the oven and sliced fruit with whipped cream. And wine. Enough wine to drown an elephant.
I glanced at the woman who was acting as hostess. She was obviously from Lannan’s stable—she had long dark hair to her butt and was curvy, buxom, and pale. A bandage covered her neck—discreet but placed right where I knew his fangs had been. She wore a low-cut vest held closed only by a thin leather lace, and a pair of skintight jeans. Another bandage covered a spot right above her left breast.
She seemed to notice my attention, because she gave me a sly smile and winked at me. “My Lord has bid me attend to any of your needs, Cicely. Anything you want, you just have to ask.” Her words gave May I help you? a whole different meaning.
I swallowed back a retort and simply smiled in return. “Do you have any sparkling water? I don’t want any alcohol.”
