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“What new beginning?” I ask.

I look at him. “The true balance, one birthed of love and not fabricated by magic.” He pauses for a moment. “Morrigan fears she’s not the one from the prophecy…”

“But Eilish is,” I answer.

Theren looks at me. “Yes. Eilish will be the one to bring the war to end all wars.”

“So, what’s the prophecy Morrigan’s trying to complete?” Dragan asks.

Theren lowers his gaze. “She only told Variant. Morrigan was careful. In the event that one of us was released from her magic or corrupted in some way, she wanted to be sure that neither Variant nor I knew everything. So she only told us each certain details.”

“Abedon is alive,” Dragan says. “He’s imprisoned, yes, but there are signs everywhere that indicate his rise is imminent.”

“And Silvanus refuses to answer Eilish’s call,” I add. “For all we know Silvanus could be focused on his own agenda.”

“Maybe, but we need to focus on the Cockatrice,” Pyre says.

I press the heel of my hand into my left temple, trying to banish the headache brewing there. “The Cockatrice that went after Eilish is still out there?” From the look of Theren’s face, I already know the answer. I kick one of the red crystals on the ground. It hits a rockface and shatters. “Great. At least we know one of Abedon’s enforcers is doing his bidding while we wasteour time chasing after Morrigan. If you ask me, Abedon is the biggest threat to Eilish’s safety.”

“He’s the one who infiltrated the Unseelie Court,” Theren says. “Variant may have control over the throne and the soldiers, but the crown means nothing if the Court isn’t on his side. Oronrel is torn. It may never know peace again so long as there are two rulers at opposite ends of this war.”

“And what about you, Theren?” I ask finally. “What side are you on?”

“Unlike my brother, I’ve always known what was at stake. If not for Morrigan’s spell, I would have been in this fight long before any of you.”

“You didn’t answer my question.”

He looks at me and narrows his eyes. “I’m on Eilish’s side. I always have been.”

For a moment, I see red. I leap toward Theren and wrap my hands around his neck. I hate it that he knew Eilish before I did, before any of us did. I hate it that he loves her without fear. But most of all, I hate it that I’m starting to believe him. Dragan is the one who pulls me away this time. I shake off his hold and close my eyes as I talk myself down, but the gargoyle won’t shut up.

“We need Theren. If not for his magic, then we need him to help us sustain Eilish’s strength.”

“Quiet!” Pyre turns his back on us and walks to the edge of the cliff. His senses seem to make the air vibrate, not unlike the Echoing Spire’s energy. “Orc raids on the borders. If we don’t hurry, they’ll be here by nightfall.”

CHAPTER NINE

EILISH

Mercenary Stronghold

The artificer, Zir, hands me another sketch with intricate notes along the edges: ideas that will unite the powers of magic and science to create new weapons, security, and possibly portals through the mortal realm in addition to powering the vehicles found by the scouts. I’m excited and nervous, but I need something solid to present to the clan leaders in order to get their approval.

“These are amazing, Zir,” I say. “If this works and we get King Galmer’s approval, then we can create strongholds like this all over the realms.”

“I will keep working on the plans,” Zir answers.

She doesn’t talk much, but she holds no loyalty to Morrigan and even agreed to work on my ideas in order to regain her freedom. That’s the only reason she’s still alive. She’s powerful and her power is useful. And because she holds no allegiance to Morrigan, I don’t consider her an enemy. Not that she holds any allegiance to me either.

The Midnight Queen hadn’t even bothered to learn the woman’s name before enslaving her to craft the amulet and that’s something Zir holds against Morrigan. But, I’m also being careful by keeping Zir in the dungeon. The dungeon is a precaution and, thankfully, she understands that.

When all the plans are finished, I’ll have Pyre look them over and ward them against anyone who may be a potential threat to our resistance. We’re playing it safe this time. There’s no room for error.

I know we’re close to something; I can feel it.

Leaving Zir to her work, I climb the stairs to exit the barracks.

Draken and Hemoteph await my arrival near the entrance to the resistance’s section of the stronghold. The vampire and lycan are at one another’s throats more often than Cambion and the others. A fond smile curls my lips as I catch sight of them, and Hemoteph’s wolfish grin spreads from ear to ear.