Page 16

Durin

One moment, I’m smiling at Rue and her mother. The next, I find myself by the dark lake with both Vaegons and all the Alphas from the clearing. Piles of fabric lay at my feet, and glass vials spill out of open sacks all around us.

Everything goes still and silent. The air thickens. Dark shapes dart beneath the water’s surface, and haunting songs begin to drift through the air. Hoofbeats pound against the sand as kelpies rush from the trees and the shore to surround us.

My son reacts defensively, letting his blue energy crackle around him. Some of the Alphas shift and form a protective circle around us. Their bodies press tightly together as they close us in at their backs. The other Alphas crouch low, growling with bared fangs and claws, ready for a fight.

We’re just as startled as the kelpies are, but we’re the ones intruding on their territory. They have a right to defend themselves against us, but a fight with them is the last thing we need.

The hypnotic songs grow louder. Some of the wolves begin to drift away from the circle as they’re drawn closer to the water.

“Majestic!” I shout, pressing my palms against my ears. “We apologize for the intrusion!”

I push through the circle to make myself seen. The kelpies know me. I need to diffuse this situation before a battle breaks out among us, risking soldiers we need for the real fight ahead.

The kelpies’ melodies fade, and the wolves caught in their spell look around in confusion. Vaegon pulls his magic back inside, and the other Alphas stand down.

“We didn’t get a warning either,” I say, glaring at the elf beside me. “No one means you any harm.”

The line of kelpies parts, and the leader steps through. His black coat shines in the morning sun, highlighting the powerful muscles of his large frame.

“Majestic,” I say, bowing my head.

I turn to the Alphas, and wait for them to acknowledge him as well. The wolves shift back and join the others as they all lower their eyes.

“Forgiven,” the leader replies before shifting his gaze to the elf beside me. “Hmm. I haven’t seen an elf in ages. Many of my kind don’t believe you actually exist.”

“If only we could become a mere myth to the realm,” Vaegon muses as his gaze wanders over the kelpies’ territory. “Perhaps one day.”

“Tell your seer to stop tossing us around without warning,” I snap. “We could have lost fighters today if a battle had broken out here.”

He turns his dark eyes on me and clasps his hands in front of him. “You should appreciate those who can easily help you cross such long distances.”

“Who?” I huff. “You and the seer? You might be the only one left when we return if Rue is half as furious as I suspect she is.”

“Who is he?” the Majestic interrupts, tossing his large head at my son.

“He’s a mixed fae from another realm, destined to help us bring down the queen.”

The leader studies Vaegon carefully before looking at me. I doubt he misses the striking resemblance between us.

“And what are you?” Vaegon asks him back, crossing his arms and sizing up the imposing kelpie.

“They’re kelpies, brother,” Anders answers him. “I’ve read tales about them, but I never imagined they were real. Fascinating…”

The leader stomps and chuffs at them. “Your realm doesn’t have kelpies? It sounds like a dreadful place.”

“No, it doesn’t,” Lucas tells him with a frown. “There are no elves either. I don’t think any magical beings were meant to live where we came from. We look forward to getting to know you and your kind.”

The Majestic nods at Lucas, then turns to me. “What have you brought with you?”

The elf steps forward and picks up one of the folded green fabrics. “The sashes are spelled for protection,” he says, unfolding and holding the garment out. “They will help deflect magical attacks to your flanks and backs.”

He kneels to take one of the vials and holds it up by its leather cord. “These contain the whispers of powerful healing spells, sealed for when you need them. Just bite down or stomp on the vial to release the magic.”

“Thank you,” the leader says, bowing his head to Vaegon. “When do we begin?”

“Two hours after dawn,” I reply, raising my voice so everyone can hear. “That’s when the nobles are most vulnerable. They’re either sleeping off the day’s indulgences or stumbling back still drunk.”

“I’ll bring everyone here when it’s time,” Vaegon says. “Then, I’ll move you all to the starting point together.”

I realize I never stopped to consider his magic. He gifted me smaller spells before I faced Mitah, but he also has transference magic like the seer. It must be powerful if he plans to send everyone to the castle at the same time. He and the other elves won’t engage in battle, but they’re proving invaluable to this mission. I’ve been too focused on my anger at what they did to Rue and me. I didn’t realize what a crucial part they play in our chance of success.

As I watch him slip the corded vial over a kelpie’s head, my thoughts turn to the blinded kelpie I lead back here after his attack. “How’s Shamere?” I ask the Majestic, hoping he’s healed more since returning home.

“He’s well,” he says. “He regained enough sight to see the damage his hooves can inflict on a handless noble. But, sadly, not enough to resume his duties.”

“He deserves the rest,” I say, hoping Shamere won’t miss his work too much. “We need to get going now. We have to visit the shifters. We’ll see you again around dawn.”

“Very well,” the Majestic says. “We’ll be ready.”

Vaegon wastes no time transporting us to the shifter camp closest to the castle. It’s still a good bit away, but it’s where we need to be right now.

“Durin!” Sashon calls as soon as we appear.

I’m relieved we’ve avoided another tense situation. I step forward and bare my throat to him before introducing the others. The Alphas all submit as well, seeming at ease among their own kind. Sashon gives my son a curious look, much like the kelpie leader did, but keeps his thoughts to himself.

He forgets all about it when he notices the elf who brought us here. He flashes over and scents his neck unapologetically. A huge grin spreads across his face, and he turns to his pack. “Come meet our brother, the elf!” he shouts.

Vaegon’s eyes widen. He takes a few steps back as shifters crowd around him, getting a good look and sniff of the mysterious creature. His expression quickly evens out, but his body is so tense that I know he’s miserable.

I chuckle loudly and turn back to Sashon. He turns and waves us over to a heap of small stones lying near a patch of glowing calantar flowers.

“The charms are ready,” he says proudly. “One of our mixed fae took the trumec weed from the kelpies and infused it into the stones.”

Anders picks one up and turns it around in his fingers. “What are they for?”

“They’re sleeping charms,” Sashon explains. “Made from a powerful sedative that grows in the kelpie lakes.”

“We’re concerned about the common fae living near the castle,” I add. “They’re under the queen’s influence and might decide to fight for her. They aren’t particularly powerful, but they could become a significant distraction.”

I scoop up a handful of the charms and admire the red lines of the trumec, running across the stones like veins of fire. “These charms will be placed outside their huts to keep them in an enchanted sleep. They’ll remain in that state until the stones are removed. We won’t have to worry about being attacked from behind.”

“Clever,” my son says, tossing one in the air and catching it. “Let me guess… we’ll be handing these out tonight.”

“Yes,” I reply. “Your wolf forms won’t trigger the glow of the calantar flowers. Use your stealth to drop a stone outside each hut in the small villages Vaegon brings you to.”

The Alphas nod their agreement. “Sashon,” I tell the Prime, “The elf will bring you all to the kelpie land when it’s time. We strike two hours after dawn.”

“I’ll send word to the other packs,” he says. “We’ll be ready.”

We spend the rest of the daylight distributing vials and fitting the fighting kelpies with sashes. As the sun begins to dim, we share a meal of smoked fish, seaweed salad, and all the moonshade tea we can stand.

It comes in handy for the hours we spend placing the stones. I watch in awe as the wolves slink through the darkness, often slipping past drunken fae without being noticed. I catch glimpses of shiny, golden eyes in the distance, but they seem to have no owner. They’re silent. And so fast… it’s incredible. I’ve never known a fae with speed like that, regardless of the magic they wield. How any fae could find one of these creatures beneath them is a mystery. They’re truly remarkable.

My hopes for the battle rise with each village we visit. And once all the villages are secured, Vaegon takes us back to the elven territory to rest. I won’t be sleeping, though. The best preparation for me is to hold onto my mate. I have enough drive and faith to attempt the impossible because of her. She’s my reason. The only thing worth risking it all for.