Page 229 of Bitten By the Fae

Several others followed them, their presence bringing with them a coldness that drilled ice through my veins. I looked at Shade again. He just yawned, like he was ready for a nap.

Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined a time when I considered him to be my ally, yet I felt the pull to trust him today.

Because of Aflora.

This quad-bond had affected me in ways I never could have anticipated, starting with my desire to follow a Death Blood’s lead.

I did my best to feign boredom as well, all the while hoping the band around my wrist concealed my forbidden connection to my mate. There was nothing I could do about the Earth Fae bond, but as none of them could see the elemental sources of power, I assumed I was safe in that regard.

The Elders sat in the available chairs, the rest choosing to stand around us. There were two dozen of them, all varying in age up to ten thousand years old.

I fought the urge to shiver, their presence always reminding me of a necropolis with their lifeless gazes and still forms. Some of them didn’t even appear to be breathing.

My father cleared his throat, taking charge of the room in his classic manner. “Per our vote earlier this week, it’s time to bring Kolstov into the fold,” he announced.

My heart stopped beating.What?He couldn’t be calling forward my ascension. My trials weren’t done. And the Seconds would need to be here to witness it.

I didn’t dare give away my confusion. Instead, I glanced at my father with an arched eyebrow, feigning confidence and curiosity at the same time.

“As you all know, Shadow was brought in on our efforts four months ago when we provided him with an induction task that solidified his membership,” my father continued. “He’s proven himself at every turn, and it’s time to grant Kolstov the same opportunity.”

Okay, I really did not like where this was going. Particularly at the mention of Shade already being on the inside. He didn’t meet my gaze now, his focus on my father. “I’ve done what’s best for Midnight Fae kind, Your Majesty,” Shade said, the words probably the most respectful ones I’d ever heard leave his mouth. “And I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”

Aswad dipped his head. “You’ve made our bloodline proud, son.”

“I know,” Shade agreed.

Several members of the Council nodded in agreement, while the Elders merely observed.

“Shadow’s reports have indicated that Kolstov has behaved admirably in his handling of the Earth Fae Royal,” my fathersaid. “It serves as further proof of his acceptance of his future responsibilities, marking him as a loyal observer of our laws with the leadership qualities to carry out justice as we see fit.”

“Hear, hear!” several Councilmen cheered, saluting me while I fought the urge to frown.

What the hell is going on?I wanted to demand but instead forced myself to remain silent. Something told me I was about to find out Shade’s true motives.Finally.And I’d probably want to fucking kill him afterward.

“The recent attacks framing him as the culprit have made this even more important, which is the true purpose of today’s meeting. We’ll need his cooperation in bringing the revolutionaries to justice once and for all.”

Fists pounded on the table, the excitement of the Councilmen stirring an ominous energy in the air. This wasn’t going to end well.

“Bring him in, Warrior Danqris,” my father said with a wave of his wand, sending the message to somewhere else in the building. Given the context of his words, I suspected it was the dungeon.

I swallowed and dared to meet Shade’s gaze again, but he was too focused on his nails as he lounged like a king in his chair, oblivious to the growing animosity in the room.

“You see, Kolstov, we’ve been fighting a war for over a thousand years,” my father explained. “Some centuries are quieter than others, but we caught wind of a growing revolution about fifteen years ago. Our Elders, the ultimate protectors of Midnight Fae kind, handled the disturbance for us, then advised us on what to do next.”

“What kind of disturbance?” I asked, forcing a calmness in my tone that I didn’t quite feel.

“One involving Quandary Bloods,” my father replied.

Forcing surprise wasn’t required, mostly because hearing him mention Quandary Bloods shocked the hell out of me. “Quandary Bloods?” I repeated. “How is that possible? They’re dead.”

“Exactly what I said a few months ago,” Shade put in unhelpfully.

He and I would be having a serious discussion after this, one that would likely end in my fist meeting his arrogant face. I knew the bastard was hiding something, but never would have expected that it involved the Council and the Elders.

Fucking prat.

“The Quandary Bloods were mostly eradicated by Constantine Nacht and his Councilmen,” Aswad said. “However, several escaped and went into hiding throughout the fae realms. Rather than worry Midnight Fae kind about the lingering threat, he wisely chose to safeguard the details with the Council and the Elders. And we’ve been working in secret ever since to eradicate the issue.”