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“You are acting out of character.”

“I am not.”

He studied her a moment longer, but before he could say anything else, Callan’s voice drifted over.

“Do you think there will be a significant impact if a new insect is introduced to this environment?”

What in the actual fuck was he talking about?

She ran her thumb and forefinger across her brow before turning to the mortal king. “What is this about, Callan?” He held up his hand, a blue and yellow wingless insect crawling along his finger. “Why would an insect affect anything?”

“It is a valid concern,” Razik said from atop a rock he’d climbed and where he now sat leaning back on his palms, casual as fuck. “Transplanting different species of animals or plants can have drastic impacts.”

“Why do you know anything about that?” Eliza asked in annoyance.

Razik shrugged. “One would think any time a new being is introduced to an established environment, it would have the potential to cause havoc.”

She ground her molars together. “It’s just an insect. I’m sure it will be fine.”

“The color is unique. Blue and gold. I have only ever seen one like it in Avonleya.”

“What?”

The growl came from Rayner, who came stalking over. His grey eyes were swirling faster than normal, and Eliza tensed. The Ash Rider was pissed about…an insect? This was turning into one of the most bizarre missions she’d ever been on, and she’d once accompanied Cyrus on a rather outrageous outing to the Shifter territory.

“What is wrong with you?” Eliza demanded, stepping closer to Callan. The mortal king may have insisted on coming with of his own foolish volition, but she would still protect him when she could. She’d promised Scarlett as much, and being on the receiving end of Rayner losing control was something few would survive.

“Where is she?” Rayner said, his features a mask of anger.

Eliza stared at him for a long moment before saying, “She? As in the insect?”

“Tula. Shift back. Now.” His tone left no room for argument, but Eliza was more focused on the little girl that had appeared amid a soft flash of golden light. Her head hung down, blonde curls shielding her face as she shuffled her feet. “Look at me, Tula.”

The child shook her head, but she spoke. “I’m sorry, Rayner. I heard King Callan tell Princess Eva you were coming back, and I didn’t want to be away from you. The bad men always come when you’re gone.” Eliza could hear the wobble in her voice, and when she finally lifted her chin, there were tears pooling in her baby blue eyes. “The dark is scarier when you’re gone,” she added in a whisper.

Rayner sighed, his anger almost immediately dissipating as he scooped her up. She immediately wrapped her arms around his neck and legs around his waist, and he brought his brow to hers. He murmured something Eliza couldn’t hear, even with her Fae hearing, but the little girl nodded earnestly before burying her face in Rayner’s neck. He sighed again. “Can you take her back?” he asked, turning to Razik.

“I can, but I cannot guarantee when I will be back,” Razik answered. “I will have to track down Cethin for more blood and find Scarlett to get me back out of the Wards. “

“I don’t want to go with him, Rayner,” Tula cried into his neck.

“Shh,” Rayner soothed, murmuring low into the child’s ear again, his hand running up and down her back in calming strokes.

“Her other form is an insect?” Eliza asked, studying the Shifter child.

“It is any form she chooses,” Rayner replied. “She is a Power Shifter.”

“So she caught a ride on the mortal king to go with you?” Razik said.

“It appears that way,” Rayner muttered.

Razik seemed rather impressed when he said, “Clever.”

“How long has she been Shifting?” Eliza asked.

“We have been practicing with it for a while.”

“How long is a while, Rayner?”