Page 73 of A Court of Wings and Shadows

He nodded once. “The artifact draws from raw, volatile currents. Your kind can channel it—if your power’s mature enough.”

“I may not be strong enough to power a fae artifact yet,” I admitted, the doubt curdling in my gut. “You’ve seen what happens when I push too hard.”

“I know,” he said. “But we have to try, Ashlyn. The raids are increasing. Command believes the Blood Fae are preparing for a full-scale assault. If we can listen in, even for a moment, it could shift the tide.”

I hesitated. “And how are we supposed to get there? The isles are surrounded by wards and patrolled skies. We’d never make it through unnoticed.”

Remy gave me a slow, almost rueful smile. “My power… is called the Wraith’s Caress.”

I huffed. “Of course it is. A power that kills. No wonder you were such a great assassin.”

His eyes sparked with something dark, and real. “I still am,” he said, the words rolling over my skin like a blade’s whisper. “But I have other talents as well.”

He stepped closer, his voice dipping into that deadly calm I remembered too well. “I can teleport. Not far. But far enough to reach one of the larger rock outcroppings surrounding the Blood Fae’s island. Close enough to use the artifact without crossing their main wards.”

My heart beat faster despite myself. “You can do that? With me and our dragons?”

“No.” His tone dropped with finality. “You’ll have to ride with me, on Katama.”

I blinked. “You want me to leave Kaelith behind?”

“Yes. She’d never be able to hide in that part of the sky. Katama and I are trained for this. We can stay low and get away quickly.”

I looked toward the horizon, toward the place no sane person wanted to go.

And still… something in me whispered—This is necessary.

“Then we do it,” I said, swallowing my fear.

Remy nodded once. “Be ready by nightfall.”

The sun blazed high as we gathered on the southern field, dust rising around our boots while heat shimmered off the stone archways beyond. Training had started early, but by midafternoon, Major Ledor had split us from the other squads. Major Kaler had taken Iron Fang and Warborn to the east yard, while Ledor remained behind with us.

That alone said something.

He didn’t speak much. Just paced in front of us, his crimson cloak fluttering faintly in the wind before he turned.

“Jax, you go first.”

Jax cracked his neck with a grin and motioned to Tae. “Come on, pretty boy. Let’s see what you’ve got.”

Tae rolled his eyes with a smirk, then lunged, fast and precise. His foot hit the ground once, twice, then he was on Jax, striking low.

But Jax didn’t even flinch.

A sudden pulse of energy rippled outward from him like a wave slamming into stone.

Tae flew back, skidding across the dirt, coughing once as he landed hard on his side.

He pushed himself upright, brushing grit from his palms. “You’re anchored.”

Jax reached under his shirt and pulled out his pendant. The blue scale gleamed bright, only a thin thread of gold still lacing its edges.

“I am,” he said simply.

The others murmured behind me, some impressed, others frustrated.

“When are we going to see your power in action, Tae?” Jax asked, smirking.