Page 74 of Catastrophe

“Have you tested it against human tech before?” Charlie asked dryly.

“No.” I admitted.

“Then today isn’t the day to test it. Besides, you don’t have it, anyway.” Charlie shrugged and turned back to his screen to click something.

“I could retrieve it.”

The plan formed in my mind. I was tired, but I felt strong enough to portal and fight, if need be. And more than anything, I wanted to pay the shadow back for all he’d done to me. I’d planned to find him when all this trouble was over, but with the theft of my ring, I had the powerful urge to punch something. Preferably him.

Charlie raised his eyebrow. “You want to portal to a realm which has only just been restored with a connection to the realms, to find the shadow who possessed you and ask nicely for your ring back?”

“I wasn’t going to ask nicely,” I sneered. “And he was the king. So I assume he will be easy enough to find.”

“He’s probably dealing with a shit tonne of civil unrest.” Charlie pointed out. “You’re safer here. I’m not getting in trouble with Clawdia for letting you go off on your own, and I’m busy here.”

I blinked at him. He doesn’t want to get in trouble with Clawdia? Most titans and enemies quiver with fear at the sight of me, but he’s more concerned about what Clawdia might do to him? She has him truly wrapped around her finger.

As I tried to formulate a response, Daithi spoke, “We will go with you.”

“Sorry?” Charlie and I asked simultaneously.

“We will come.” Savida nodded and smiled enthusiastically. “That way, Clawdia cannot be upset because you were alone. We will help you.”

“I feel worse about that.” Charlie stated flatly.

I agreed. “Me too.”

Charlie continued dramatically, “I think Zaide would beat me to a pulp and then snap my neck if I agreed.”

“You haven’t agreed, but we are still going.” Daithi stated, leveling me with his green eyes. “The shadow realm is open for the first time since before the fall and we will be some of the first to visit since.”

“Always the opportunist, this one.” Charlie rolled his eyes at me. “If you think you can all get there, get the ring and get back quickly without issue,, it might be worth it.”

Exactly my sentiments. It would be helpful to get the ring. I could portal there and back quickly if fate was on my side and be back to help with the rescue. But I was displeased that Daithi seemed to think it was an opportunity for sight-seeing.

“You stay with me,” I told them firmly. “If you get lost, I will leave without you. Zaide can punish me once he is alive and freed.”

“We want to help.” Savida assured me with an unusual seriousness. “It’s not about traveling to a lost realm. We can’t support you in any other way here, so let us be of use.”

“Fine.” I sighed and rubbed my chin. “We’ll go now.”

I pressed my lips together and concentrated my power on the middle of the room, and bystanders moved out of the way as a portal grew from a blue speck into a swirling pool of light.

“Wait.” Elizabeth stopped us as we headed toward the portal. “I’ve sent my daughter to guard the shadow realm portal. I’ll text her now to explain, but she may not see it. She will try to stop you, but please do not hurt her instead reason with her. There might also be hunters hovering around, so keep safe, and if you need to incapacitate her, hide her before you leave.”

I glanced at Charlie, who was listening to his birth mother, but he didn’t seem outwardly upset that I would meet his sister before he did. To Elizabeth, I nodded and then inclined my head at the faei and his daemon to follow me into the portal.

We portaled back to the farm where I’d fed on the cattle to recover from healing the shadow portal. There seemed to be a ward preventing me from portaling directly into the cave, which I assumed was placed by Elizabeth’s daughter. I pointed Savida and Daithi toward the cave while I found another animal to feed on.

The blood wasn’t even close to the same nectar that my soul mates provided me, but it sated the hunger and gave me additional strength. When I was done, I caught up with the other two quickly and we continued walking quickly up the hill. The bright sunshine was harsh on my eyes, but the forest offered a little protection and the wind blowing through my hair was refreshing. Were I not on a mission, I would take my time on the walk. As it were, I rarely took my time when I traveled. The Fates were asking much from me.

Savida interrupted the peace with a hesitant question, “You spoke to Zaide in your dreams? Was he … well?”

I blew out a breath as I thought of my titan soul mate. “They are taking his blood. I’m sure you know how he feels about that.”

Savida choked on a breath and stumbled over his feet, his wings flapping to catch him. “Oh, poor Zaide.” His heartbroken expression turned to his mate, and he asked, “You didn’t see that, did you, my love? You didn’t know?”

“I didn’t see that. Only the beatings,” Daithi replied solemnly. But what could he have done if he did see it? Telling Zaide would have made him more terrified. You can’t prepare your mind for the certainty of torture. Daithi’s green brow rose as he asked me, “You are aware of his triggers around blood?”

---