Page 204 of The Edge of Darkness

Auren would be less than pleased that I was leaving again, but time was of the essence, and I had a sinking feeling that all of us were running out of it.

After a quick port back to Drastia, and half an hour of convincing Breck to accompany me to Elandrew to be my liaison between the fae and the human realm, we materialized at the woodland gate.

I’d thrown a proper glamour over both of us, fully expecting Killian to be on the utmost alert with anyone arriving, but there was no pushback whatsoever. The gate didn’t even move. Breck stepped forward and pressed against the giant wood doors, only to find them swinging open without resistance.

No authority over the gate meant no authority over the court . . .

We swapped an anxious look, then he gripped my arm and we ported once more. This time, when we appeared, it was in the main atrium of The Woodland House.

An empty Woodland House.

“Something’s wrong,” Breck said, turning in place.

The throne was vacant. There was no one to be seen. The candles weren’t even lit.

“Follow me,” he ordered, making haste toward the open hallway.

We wound through the house, searching for any sign of life. No sentries, no court members, no house-fae.

Where had everyone gone? Where was Killian?

At the sound of a door quietly closing, we came to an abrupt stop. My shadows were instantly poised above my shoulders, ready to strike at whoever rounded the corner. Breck readied a hand on the hilt of his sword.

The delicate tinkling of tiny bells echoed toward us, just before Elspeth, the Elder, came into view, turning down the opposite end of the hall. Both mine and Breck’s shoulders relaxed, and I called out the Elder’s name. She whirled, startled by our presence.

She squinted through the dim, early-evening light, then upon recognizing me, she gasped. “High Lord? What are you doing here?”

“I could ask the same of you.” I closed the distance to her. “What has happened here? Where is everyone?”

She shook her head with disappointment. “Lord Killian has vacated the court.”

Breck stepped forward, voice low. “When?”

“Not two days ago. I heard the news from one of my own who serves here. She said he was ranting about betrayal and spewing all kinds of threats at anyone who crossed him.”

I looked to Breck, who gave me a knowing glance back.

“Then he vanished. Used compulsion on his advisors and took them with him, so I was told. The court has been in an upheaval ever since.”

“Why are you here?” I asked, noting the herbs and bottles of strange tonics she had bundled in her arms.

“I came for some things that are hard to get in the everyday market. Killian likes to hoard all the stock and drive up the cost for the rest of us. It does no one any good if it just sits and rots away here.”

Breck nodded, working his jaw in contemplation. “Does anyone from his council still remain here in the house? Or have they all left?”

“There are a few, but they have kept to their quarters, afraid that Killian might return. He was always unpredictable, as you well know. Now, his absence has everyone even more on edge.”

I turned to Breck. “The army . . .”

“I know.” He scrubbed a hand over his face and through his hair. “I know.”

“You are his kin, and part of his council,” Elspeth said, gazing up at Breck and tilting her head. “Shall we look to you now for guidance?”

Breck stiffened.

I could tell just by looking at his face that he did not want the court to fall into his hands, regardless of how shitty it had been in Killian’s.

“Your cousin abandoned his throne. And we both know where he is now,” I reminded him. The bastard had left thousands of innocents without a second thought. He had gone to The Wastelands—to Lyceius. I was sure of it. “The fae of this court know and respect you,” I continued. “Someone has to step in.”