A Power of Old(25)

“I see you have brought company,” he observed, regarding my armed companions with interest.

“Telis and Kelit. They are my most trusted guards—I hoped they could help us.”

Derek nodded, standing aside to let us inside.

“You’re all welcome.”

We followed Derek into the living room, where Benjamin stood waiting.

“Sherus.” He nodded in greeting. “Do you have news?”

“I have persuaded the fae to unite. All the kingdoms will now work together when the threat shows itself. It is the first time in many, many years that a treaty of this kind has been reached. Long may it continue.”

Benjamin listened to what I had to say, but I noticed his glance often returning to the guards behind me. His expression was curious, and I could see that the boy still had questions about the nature of the body he inhabited.

“Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to unearth anything yet,” Derek replied.

I had expected this. The more I thought about it, the more I was convinced that whatever was rising would somehow be under the radar of all of us, potentially undetected before it was too late. It would explain why the omens presented to me were so strong; the stars always had a way of compensating for the frailty of the mortal.

“Which is why we have come to assist you,” I replied. “I believe that the threat is going to come from your world, not ours.”

“What makes you say that?” Benjamin asked.

“I feel it,” I replied. “And the stars do not lie.”

Benjamin nodded, but I could sense his skepticism. It didn’t bother me—he still had a lot to learn about our kind, and the connection that all fae had to nature, quite different to all other supernatural creatures.

“Then we welcome you here,” Derek announced. “There are mountain cabins where you can stay, which I hope you’ll find to your liking.”

“Thank you,” I replied, grateful that I wouldn’t be living in these strange tree contraptions, as elegant as they were.

A few moments later I bid Derek goodbye while Benjamin led us to the cabins where we would be staying. After a few more curious glances at my guards, he left us to make ourselves at home, asking us to reconvene in an hour to go over all the research they’d unearthed so far.

Telis and Kelit positioned themselves outside of my front door. They would not rest while I was here, untrusting of the strange land they found themselves in, and wary of its inhabitants.

I bathed to refresh myself, and when I’d finished, a knock came from the door. I hastened to answer it—the hour had not yet passed, and I hoped this meant that Derek might have some news. As soon as I saw his face, it was clear that he did not.

“What is it?” I asked, noting his bemused expression.

Before he could reply, my flame-haired sister stepped into view.

“Did you think you could leave me out of all this, Sherus?” she demanded.

“Lidera.” I sighed. “What is the meaning of this?”

“I’m here to stop you from making any ridiculous mistakes—and to keep you company.”

“So you might abandon me at the final hour?” I asked sarcastically, recalling the time she had left me in The Underworld.

“Sherus,” she warned, “stop bringing up ancient history and let me help you.”

There would be no use arguing with her. When Lidera made up her mind, that was usually the end of it.

“Can The Shade accommodate one more fae?” I asked King Derek politely.

“Of course,” he replied. “We will see to it.”

I let Lidera enter the cabin, and groaned inwardly.





Hazel





When we arrived back at the castle, I headed straight for Tejus’s living quarters. I wanted to join in the celebrations with Ash and Ruby, but as the servants and the kids gathered around to admire the soon-to-be-king Ash, I felt overwhelmed by my hunger – the constant repression of it was making me tired and irritable.

I tried to slip away unnoticed, but as soon as I entered the living room, Tejus appeared in the doorway – remaining at the entrance to give me some space.

“How are you?” he asked, arms folded across his chest as he leaned against the frame.

“I’m… okay. I was getting a headache being around all those people…the hunger gets worse the more tired I get.”

He nodded in understanding. “You should get some rest. You won’t be able to fight it off if you’re sleep-deprived. Trust me.”

I raised my eyebrows at Tejus’s admission. When has he not been able to hold back?

He smiled. “It can get quite bad during sentry teenage years, let’s leave it at that.”