Page 83 of Of Night and Blood: Special Edition

She looked up, her eyes roving over the group, then landing on me. She stared at me in horror as she spoke.

“Pino says he sees danger ahead. Something is coming.”

Chapter Forty-Six

Gathered around the fire, seven of us remained silently sitting while Bellamy paced and murmured to himself. I had wanted to say something encouraging, to lead the way I had always been taught, but nothing came to mind.

Pino had not specified who or what was coming, but the urgency in his written words were clear: they needed to prepare, now.

Suddenly, a question came to me.

“Wait. How is it that Pino knows something, or someone, is coming?” My words sounded strange as they tore through the hollowness that had come from our lack of talking.

The group stirred, looking my way. Then, as if needing permission, each of their gazes found the, now still, prince, who merely eyed me. When no one responded, I continued voicing my thoughts and confusion aloud.

“I just mean that I have never come across a Tomorrow with the ability of foresight to that extent. Well, apart from my friend Nicola, who sometimes has dreams that manifest. That, though, was previously unheard of. I guess I am wondering what makes Pino believe that there is danger lurking? Did he touch someone and see their death?” I asked, ceasing my nervous rambling.

The others allowed their eyes to roam to Bellamy once more, not daring to speak an answer. Another secret, another lie. Was Eoforhild really in danger, or was something more convoluted occurring? I meant to ask when Bellamy finally found his voice.

“Every couple of millennia, a Reader is born with a power greater than their peers. What they see is not limited to yesterday or tomorrow and no touch is required, they simply see what the gods deem worthy. The past many have forgotten, the future many have feared, and the present many have avoided. A fae such as this is not called a Tomorrow or a Yesterday, for they are far beyond. They are called Oracles,” Bellamy said, the word sounding foreign and strange.

Yet another term I was not privy to. Annoyance was beginning to form at the realization that I was far more ignorant to my own subjects than I thought. There was so much more to them than I ever knew, to the extent that I was starting to wonder if I would have been the queen I had always imagined myself as.

Ranbir spoke next, a voice of reason among the panic.

“What is our next move then? We cannot simply leave Haven without forces seeing as it is a border land, but someone must rally our armies. And we need Asher to meet King Adbeel so that—” Ranbir cut himself off midsentence, grimacing as he looked my way in apology.

I rolled my eyes, crossed my arms, and promptly pouted like the grown fae I was.

Noe and Henry both let out low chuckles, but quickly reverted back to seriousness as Bellamy once again paced. His face was scrunched together in concentration.

From a political standpoint, the best thing they could do would be to immediately meet with their king and allow for the monarch to weigh in, if not make the final decision. But I could see how their priorities might be the defense of a village they all deeply loved.

Without thinking it through, I allowed myself to weigh in.

“We should split up. If you think about it, this group is probably perfect for the divide we need. Bellamy can take Lian and Henry to your armies and ready them. While they are doing that, Noe, Ranbir, and Winona can all head back to Haven to prepare defenses. Little shadow should be more than enough to get me safely to the clutches of your demon king. I myself am eager to find out what ploy is in place that requires my abduction, so truthfully this scenario works perfectly,” I said, sarcasm heavy on my tongue. I was still a bit bitter, obviously.

Yet, the wisdom and reasoning to my plan was solid. Noe nodded, Henry agreeing silently. Cyprus looked positively giddy, smiling from ear to ear at the prospect. The others also seemed to agree that this plan, which I so nicely provided, was probably the best course of action.

Bellamy’s was the only face that grew angrier. The demon’s cheeks went red as he stared my way. I waved a hand at his disapproval, standing up to square off with him. He did not back down, coming over to tower above me instead.

“Now is not the time for territorial jealousy, you prick. Not to mention that you have no right to dictate or disagree with who I allow around me. We need to split up whether you like it or not!” I hissed.

He merely stared at me, contemplating.

How was it that I—someone with no reason to help these creatures, who had thought them to be monsters only two months prior—was the one fighting to protect their realm?

“Fine. We split up then,” Bellamy said. I nodded, thankful he was finally agreeing with me. About time. “With one small change. I will be accompanying you to Dunamis instead.”

I groaned, rubbing my temples to give relief from the headache forming there. Jealous idiot. No one objected to the plan, but anyone could see that the best option would be for their general to lead the army. If it were foreign forces coming, then they would have to make it past The Mist to reach the realm, which in itself was horrifying as the capability to pass through it was beyond any knowledge. No one with enough power to do that should be overlooked, especially not for me.

“Once you are safely settled, I will head to the base,” he added on, nodding to himself.

“I really think—”

“Enough Asher. We all depart in the morning,” Bellamy said, promptly cutting me off. The demon sat, not willing to speak further. I gasped at his sheer audacity, poised to do something reckless. Henry reached his hand up to grab my elbow, shaking his head as he pulled me to him.

I huffed, but conceded. The fight would be pointless when they would all listen to Bellamy regardless of my protests. Still, I felt angered by his refusal to see reason.

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