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“What have you heard from Baylorin?”

“We got word that they were supposedly close to breaking through the wards Cassius put up to protect the orphans in the Black Syndicate. I am working on some spells to help strengthen them, but have yet to discover why they desire the orphans,” Sorin answered.

“You believe Mikale is working with my father?” Callan asked.

“Mikale is currently in charge of the High Force until the Crown Prince returns from his impromptu vacation to Rydeon with his guards and a suitable replacement for me can be found,” Sorin replied. “Since he implied numerous times he knew about the orphans, and in light of his ambitions for Scarlett, the fact that he was made the interim general would suggest he is indeed working with the king and whoever is seeking the children.”

“A few days ago, on the bridge, you told me of Mikale’s desire to merge his bloodline with Scarlett’s. Why?” Callan asked, looking to her now.

Sorin’s eyes flicked to her as well, then back to Callan. “We do not know for sure.”

“But you have an idea.” He narrowed his eyes at Sorin as he again glanced at Scarlett.

“We have some ideas, yes,” Sorin said.

Callan gritted his teeth at the obviousness of the secrets that were again being kept. “Is it even possible? To merge bloodlines with a…Fae?”

“Of course it’s possible,” Eliza snapped. “We have the same parts you know.”

Callan felt his cheeks heat slightly. “Well, yes, but how…?” Eliza’s eyebrows rose in amusement. “What would the offspring of such a union be?” he ground out.

“They would be children,” Rayner said, stepping in before Eliza could reply. “But with Scarlett as their mother, they would likely be powerful for demi-Fae. They would rival full-blooded Fae in power.”

“They would have magic? Even with human blood in their veins?”

“Any of the races can cross,” Rayner explained. “There are many mortals in your lands that can trace their bloodlines back to other beings before the lands were divided.”

“There are mortals with magic?” Callan asked, his brows raising.

“There are mortals with magical ancestry. Whether or not they have power, we do not know. If they do, it is likely very weak, if not completely dormant. Since magic is not readily found there, we do not have a way of knowing for sure,” Rayner replied.

Callan returned his attention to Sorin. “How could you access magic there?”

Scarlett had gone quiet with the mention and talk of Mikale, and she was staring down at the pear she held in her lap. “Magic is not readily accessible,but there are a few ways around that,” Sorin supplied. Another vague answer.

He was about to ask another question when Amaré swooped into the room through an open window. He flew right to Sorin, dropped a rolled piece of parchment into his open palm, and then swooped to Scarlett’s shoulder. Sorin read the parchment and stood. Scarlett looked at him, a question in her eyes as she stroked the bird’s head, and Sorin smiled at her. Callan knew that smile, knew what it conveyed, because that was the smile he gave to that same woman.

“I’m afraid we need to cancel our magic training today, Princess,” he said with a wicked grin.

“Why?” she asked slowly, clearly suspicious.

“I think you will find your afternoon just became completely booked.”

As he spoke, a water portal opened in the corner of the room, and Prince Briar stepped through, a silver sword strapped to his back. His icy blue eyes twinkled as they met Sorin’s gaze. He nodded once to him, then his eyes went to Scarlett and a grin spread across his face. He stepped to the side to allow someone else to come through the portal.

Cassius Redding.

His eyes swept the room, coming to land on Scarlett, who had gone completely and utterly still.

Sorin’s voice went soft and impossibly gentle for the dark prince that Callan knew him to be. “It’s real, Love. Not a dream. He is here. I know you need him right now.”

Tears appeared on Scarlett’s cheeks as she practically fell off the table, Sorin catching her in his arms and setting her on her feet. Amaré flew to the back of a chair. “Thank you,” she whispered, and then she was running to Cassius’s waiting arms.

Sorin’s eyes never left her when Cassius wrapped his arms around her, lifting her off her feet and gripping her tightly to him. Sorin didn’t see his Inner Court exchange soft smiles, but Callan did. And again he wondered what secrets were being kept from him.

CHAPTER 11

SCARLETT