Page 6 of The Dark Will Fall (Twilight Lake #5)

Tormalugh Shadowhock

The Reeds could not be accessed from the surface, except for hidden openings that only the inner court was aware of.

Tormalugh had no desire to reveal the secrets of his kingdom to his guests, so he opted for the main entrance of the Reeds—though he knew it would put their troupe in open water.

The King of the Reeds had no idea what state the Twilight Lake had fallen to, but he had more pressing matters on his mind at that moment.

Namely, his sister Elsbeth, and his sincere hope that his kingdom was not in ruins because of his absence.

When Tormalugh thought of his sister, he often compared her to a maelstrom, though he would have never voiced the thought aloud.

His worry for his sister was only outmatched by her desire to test his last nerve.

Elsbeth Shadowhock had been young when their mother passed, though Tor could not say if the event had shaped Elsbeth’s desire to put herself in the heart of danger.

That being said, he trusted her enough to rule the Kelpies with an iron fist.

His sister may have been brazen to the point of foolishness, but she was sly with an unmoveable will.

As his guests stopped at the shore of the lake, Tor hesitated to go further.

Tormalugh’s hooves scraped against the shale as he approached the water’s edge and dipped his head to take a sip. The familiar taste of home washed over him, and the stress of the journey seemed to melt away. A moment passed before another Kelpie joined him, though the pause was evident.

The older male, Rian Swiftgait, was the leader of the reluctant herd.

The male’s yellow eyes flashed before he dipped his head to drink from the lake—though Rian kept his emotions locked behind a thick internal shield, Tor felt the weight of his glare.

As if to say, if this is a trick, you’re going to hurt.

Tor ignored the male's stare, exhaling through his long nose as he glanced back at the herd. His mother had a saying— a Kelpie must never break a promise to their own creed . Tor hoped that Rian’s show of trust would help the others see that he meant them no harm.

After all, days had turned to weeks, and the already weary herd had been on its feet for far too long, with little food and even less rest. Though Tor liked to think of himself in his prime, even the King of the Reeds felt the effects of the journey.

Tormalugh rolled his shoulders and took his two-legged form, for the second time since he had freed the Dark King’s racers.

He pushed his long hair out of his face, feeling the tendrils damp with sweat.

His body ached, and he wanted nothing more than to dive into the lake and swim right to his bed, but he had to warn them.

Tor cleared his throat as Rian Shiftgait stepped back, putting himself between Tormalugh and the others. A shield and a leader.

Tor ignored the action.

“This is my final warning. The Reeds lie just beyond this shale under the waves. You will be granted sanctuary if you decide to join me. Beyond those trees, it is a day’s ride to the Day Court and the boundary to the Seelie Court.

” Tor met each of the herds eyes, the Kelpies shifting uneasily.

“I must warn you, this lake has been at war for almost a decade, though the Kelpies here hold no quarrel save for against those that would attack our home.”

Rian’s large equine body shifted, his voice rusty when he spoke. “Enemies?”

Tor nodded stanchly. “Cruinn, the Undine City on the other side of the lake, is under the power of one of the old gods.”

Rian Swiftgait narrowed his eyes. “Which one?”

Tor’s nostrils flared as his body recoiled against the name, though he had to speak it. His guests deserved to be fully informed of the dark waters they might swim in. “Balor.”

Rian’s impassive expression didn’t so much as twitch. He tilted his head, looking down his nose at Tormalugh. Rian’s entire demeanor possessed a knowing smugness Tormalugh could not decide if he liked or not.

“Well?” Tor quirked a brow in challenge. “Have you made your decision, Swiftgait?”

Rian chuffed a laugh and shook his head. “If you have drawn the attention of Balor of the Deep, you’ll need as much help as you’re going to get.”