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I circled around Vedreel and pulled Liam and then Marcos into soul-soothing hugs. From the way they inhaled my scent and growled as they held me right, I knew each of them would need a lot more cuddly skin time before their beasts would let me out of their sight again.
“Wait, what were you throwing a fireball at?” Marcos asked.
“A darkness beast,” I explained, pulling away from Marcos. “How is he?” I asked Emrys.
“He’s growing stronger,” Emrys replied, his attention fully on the fae except for a moment when he flashed that devastating, cocky smile of his up at me. “I’d wager he’ll wake up at any moment.”
Lady Alia stepped forward, her keen eyes widening. “Where is the beast of darkness now?”
“I was under a pile of dirt and didn’t see,” I said, looking to Franc, Caden, and Taneisha for an explanation.
Franc cleared his throat. “We fought to hold it off, but the beast ran when you did that spiderweb of light thing.”
“Oh wow, I’m surprised that actually worked,” I replied, earning me a wry smile from Franc.
“Did you see where it went?” Lady Alia asked Franc.
He nodded. “The beast ran further down into the cave complex.”
Lady Alia’s face twisted with anger and determination. “Then we must go after it,” Lady Alia said, motioning to her guards, who rushed forward to her side. “The longer we leave it unchecked, the more dangerous it will become. Titus, head back to the Summer Court and bring back reinforcements.”
Titus gave a quick nod. “At once, my lady.” He turned, cast a portal, and swept through it.
Emrys helped a revived and re-energized-looking Vedreel to his feet, helping him shake off the dirt and muck covering his long robes. The elder waved him off, unconcerned with the state of his clothes.
“I’ll come with you, Lady Alia,” Vedreel said. “My knowledge of the caves below will aid your cause.”
The lady inclined her head his way. “If you feel up for it, we would be grateful for your direction.”
A shadow passed over us followed by a deafening roar. The guards were on instant alert, weapons in hand, while Lady Alia and Grams both threw magical shields overhead, layers of ruby and gossamer filtering the light.
“Miriss!” Vedreel shouted. “Stand down, fair folk. The beast is with me.”
Grams gaped at the elder fae. “But it’s a manticore!”
Vedreel dragged a hand over his gnarled features. “Truly, madam, but Miriss is my eldest friend. I beg you relent.”
Lady Alia and Grams shared a look and a shrug, then dropped their shields. The guards were not so easily swayed, remaining vigilant with their weapons.
The manticore landed a moment later, bounded over to Vedreel, and licked his face with his enormous tongue. Vedreel laughed and laughed while the rest of us gave the two some room.
“Wait a second,” Taneisha spoke up, eyes alit with burning excitement. “Did you just say, my portal?” she asked me.
Everyone’s glanced at me at the same time and I felt the smile curling the corners of my mouth. My gaze flicked to Grams, who’d arched her brow at Taneisha’s question. Just how much did Grams know, or suspect, about my powers? Did she know who my father was? Mom had been absent so much of my life, but surely Grams had known the truth from her.
My mates all exchanged glances, but it was Caden who spoke. “It appears so, Taneisha,” he said with an irresistible smile. “If it weren’t for Sera’s quick thinking and powerful magic, who knows what might have happened to us in there with that beast.”
I shook my head and waved them off. “Let’s not get too dramatic. It was just one little spiderweb. And a fireball. And a portal.”
Lady Alia nodded in agreement. “You have the courage and power of a warrior, Sera. You should be proud, Ms. Lowe.”
Grams pursed her lips, and I knew that fire dancing in her eyes was evidence of her plans for my future. “I’ve always been proud of my granddaughter. Now, it appears she’s a force few could reckon with.”
I couldn’t help but let out a rueful laugh. “You expected something like this would happen when you sent me here, didn’t you?” I asked Taneisha.
Taneisha let out a tinkling giggle, joyfully spinning on her toes in a slow circle. “Of course, I did.” Her voice was light and filled with triumph. “I knew your magic was different, and I suspected I knew the reason. You just needed the opportunity, time, and the right surroundings to blossom, so off to faery I sent you. You have certainly proved me right.”
I shook my head at her. I didn’t appreciate her methods, but I had to hand it to the fickle fae. She’d been right. I didn’t know how Taneisha had figured out my heritage or the peculiarities of my gifts, but I was grateful to know I was part fae and to have those powers opened to me at last.
