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“No!” Lark screeches. “I’m Fae, I can not lie!”

My heart breaks for Lark. I wish I could open the door and set him free, but Drake could snap at any moment.

The judge sighs. “We have a complicated situation, and I’m sorry, dear Fae, but we can not order Drake to sever the soul tether.”

Lark goes back to rocking. “I don’t understand.”

“You’re integrated into each other’s souls, whether you like it or not. At least until the new tether is complete, or the anchor is destroyed.”

“I really have a new tether?” Lark’s head lifts.

“Both are clear as day now that I’ve untangled the spells wrapped around you.”

The layers of spells shimmer and fade. All but the soul tethers. Wren gasps beside me and rushes to the cage. “Brother,” he whispers as he sticks a hand through the bars. Lark presses his cheek into Wren’s palm. It’s a sweet portrait of brotherly affection.

The judge turns to Drake. “While we can not force you to sever the soul tether, we remove you as the owner of Flutter. All assets are now Pike’s as your business partner. He can chose to keep the business or sell to another in the coven.”

“You can’t do that!” Drake bellows. “I?—”

“You haven’t paid your latest debt to the coven in months. We’re also removing you from leadership and we will hold a vote at a later time for who takes your place. We strip you of any enhancements you may have purchased.”

“You’ll regret this!” Drake sucks in a deep breath and lifts his hands, rising dirt and grit from the ground.

Lark moans and drops to his side. His hair is so pale it rivals the white of his brother’s. Wren stumbles back.

“Release him,” I shout as I lunge for Drake. But he’s gone and so is Lark before I can get to him.

My knees threaten to buckle.

I’ve failed.

Chapter 22

Lark

Tick.

Tock.

Tick.

Tock.

Tick.

Tock.

The grandfather clock across from my gilded cage chants the irritating noise all day, every day. It’s seven or so feet of gorgeous cherry wood and I want to burn it and the mansion to the ground.

I’ve been here for three days now. Drake taunts me. He’s put up a perimeter spell using my magic that keeps out demons and other Fae. I hold out hope that the tether to him snaps soon.

Tick.

Tock.

Tick.

Tock.