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While the Wolves were reasonably high on the political food chain, only the Summer Court Lions or Winter Court Bears had enough force to become a king or queen. Fae had to be born into those clans.
If Colin allied with the Lions—or worse, the Bears—our potential war would become even more challenging.
“Do you have any mages capable of opening a portal on this side?” Pietr’s deep voice brought my attention back to the group discussion. “If not, we’ll have to open it from the Mirognyan side.”
I tore my gaze away from the maps to face the others. Some phoenixes could open portals, though they needed something from the human world to succeed.
The major downside to a portal was that whichever side opened it had complete control. In the unlikely event a coup happened in Mirognya while I was away, they could close the portal to keep me out.
Luckily, the dragons in Mirdrakona still held my primary opponent Adrik, and only our allies knew I had a realm walker as a mate. And after we dealt with the fae, ruling Mirfeniksa would no longer be my concern.
“Once I learned of Ms. Neill’s capture, I sent a request out to other agency branches asking for assistance locating one,” Adam said. “I am still waiting to hear, but I am confident we will find one soon.”
Unless William had recruited them all and gotten them killed, of course. I wouldn’t have put it past that power-hungry idiot.
Pietr rubbed his white beard, the colors of his rainbow-hued irises swirling as he contemplated the situation. “Opening a portal on this side as soon as possible is ideal. However, we need to bring over troops, and I don’t recommend waiting around for a mage.”
Adam nodded. “In the meantime, I have procured a hotel nearby to house your people. The owner is a Community friendly human who will ensure discretion, and a gateway exists between the two buildings.”
As he, Imos, and Pietr discussed lodging logistics, a reaper I didn’t recognize stepped into the room and cleared his throat.
Adam eyed him. “Yes?”
The reaper pointed to the maps. “Someone’s closing the portals to the Otherworld.”
11
MONDAY MORNING
I spun to face the panels again. Sure enough, each yellow dot marking an Otherworld portal disappeared one by one. Dread sank into my stomach like a heavy stone.
Fuck.
“Does that mean Colin knows?” I asked, hoping against odds that I was wrong.
Part of our plan relied on getting the upper hand by surprising him. If he knew we were on to him, things would get even trickier.
“I cannot imagine any other reason for the closures,” Adam sighed, rubbing a hand over his face.
Dark circles ringed the archangel’s eyes, and his wings drooped behind his back. Angels and reapers might not need sleep the way everyone else did, but that didn’t mean exhaustion couldn’t set in. The poor man needed to take a nap before he collapsed.
“But doesn’t Queen Fiadh control the portals?” Thane asked, his brow furrowed. “Do we actually believe she’s in on this?”
Steepling his fingers in front of his mouth, Adam’s blue eyes flicked back and forth as he considered Thane’s question. “I would like to believe she is not, but this appears to prove otherwise.”
“She wanted all the fae to return to the Otherworld a few months ago. Maybe this is why.” I glanced at the clock. “I can try to catch Joe at the Morning Grind to pick his brain about it. Assuming he’s still in this realm.”
Getting out of these strategy discussions would also be nice, but no one needed me to say that out loud.
“That would be most helpful,” Adam said.
Thane hesitated before rising with me. I placed my hand on his shoulder and pushed him back into his seat. “You stay. I know you’d rather be in this conversation than coffee shop gossip.”
He grinned and kissed my hand. “You know me too well.”
Lena appeared at my side with a scowl. “Don’t even think of asking me to stay.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” I patted her cheek. “Let’s go stretch our wings.”
