AllFreeNovel
Share Us
* * * * * * * * *
Lorelei sat in her fae-form, in a sun-protected tent, at the edge of Margetta’s army camp. Night had fallen at last, which meant Seth would be recovered from his wounds and able to leave the shelf cave behind the waterfall.
And for the barest second, she’d heard him call to her, but all her attempts to find him telepathically had failed.
She wasn’t surprised. Margetta had tak
en every possible precaution so that Lorelei couldn’t communicate using her telepathy or mating vibration.
By now, Seth would have figured out that she’d abandoned him, but would he understand why she’d gone? Or would he consider it another betrayal?
She hoped not.
She had no illusions about what she was up against. Her mother had tremendous power and only now, when she’d seen the massive control she wielded over her Invictus army, did she truly understand that given enough time, Margetta would prevail against the Nine Realms.
As it stood, Lorelei had only a slim chance of getting back to Seth and to the Shifter Brigade. Margetta used her enthrallment almost exclusively to manage her army. She had a huge support staff at her beck-and-call as well and was in constant communication with the Invictus in every part of the Nine Realms.
Mastyr Jude had always had a strong conviction about the need for a more unified Nine Realms, which began, in his opinion, with better communications realm-to-realm. Though she hadn’t been in touch with him for a long time, she knew that he would have approved of Mastyr Quinlan setting up communication centers in each of the Nine Realm’s human earth access points.
She stood up from the camp chair and paced the eight-by-eight tent. A powerful fae spell kept her imprisoned. Touching any of the canvas walls, or even the entrance flap, burned in the same way the net had with Seth two nights ago. Margetta had made it clear Lorelei would stay here until after the battle, no matter the outcome.
Though she continued her attempts to reach Seth, nothing came back to her. Despite her failure, however, she kept her telepathic pathways wide open as well as her mating frequency. The latter because she had this nagging sensation that when Seth had reached out to her earlier, he’d used his mating frequency.
She paused in her pacing and put a hand to her throat. She had a funny feeling that something had happened to Seth, something powerful. Her heart rate sped up and in a very realm way she knew he was headed in her direction.
* * * * * * * * *
Seth flew high in the frigid air above the northwestern portion of the Shauck Mountains at the farthest reaches of Walvashorr Realm.
Lorelei’s silvery-teal trail had been a beacon in the dark, snowy night. Jude tracked with him, off his right shoulder, and just a little behind. Seth understood why. If for some reason Lorelei actually came into view, Seth needed to get to her first.
They both understood the blood rose reality of the situation.
When his battle frequency lit up, he knew he wasn’t far from Margetta’s camp.
Do you feel that? Jude’s voice in his head, confirmed what he felt.
Sure do. He slowed down, dropping closer to the approaching ridge. The Invictus army isn’t far from here.
What do you want to do?
Let’s land near the top of this next ridge and have a look. We’re at Nimbus Vale, a perfect place for an army to set up camp.
He drew down behind the snow-packed ridge and wished he had just a little of the fae’s ability to create an enthrallment shield. Especially dressed in black, both he and Jude stood out like pillars against the snowy landscape.
In a dip near the southern end of the ridge, he found a few lone trees for cover next to a massive twelve-foot-high boulder. He moved slowly from behind the trees, levitating to gain a view of the vale below.
What he saw were hundreds of tents and dozens of fires. He heard laughter throughout the camp. Clearly, the ancient fae wasn’t worried about discovery.
Sweet Goddess. Jude stood next to him now. I was sure Margetta would have hidden her army behind an enthrallment shield. I wonder why she hasn’t?
Seth had no idea. Maybe she’s that arrogant, but it’s damn lucky for us.
Jude kept his voice low. Do you see how the tents are lined up, in precise order? This really is an army that the woman keeps building.
I know. I don’t think I would have believed it if I hadn’t seen it. Invictus wraith-pairs were notorious for chaotic, impulsive kills, so to have brought them under control like this was yet another indication that Margetta was serious in her intentions. On the other hand, Margetta may be employing her enthrallment skills on keeping the wraith-pairs subservient to her.
Can you sense Lorelei yet?
