Page 52 of Winterfall Destiny

"Dorian was with you?" asks Jamie in surprise. "Why?"

"The First wanted to talk to all of us," says Tobias.

"But Dorian isn't with you now?" I ask, looking back to the cellar.

"No, and Dorian claims we won't see him again," Andrei continues.

"Some things are too good to be true," I say, and Jamie nudges me. "Okay. Why won't we see Dorian again?"

"He'll be back," says Tobias wearily.

"You think?" asks Andrei. "The First threatened his family."

"Who did the thing threaten?" I ask.

"Did he threaten any of us too?" asks Jamie.

Tobias edges by and takes in his surroundings. "Nice place," he says before wandering away to explore, dodging the question.

"Andrei?" I'm now certain there's something very wrong, even if they're visibly intact. "Did the First do anything to you? Any of you?"

The buoyant Andrei from the last few days sinks. "No, but we have a few things to tell you."

"Bad?" I ask cautiously.

"We were with the First. When is it ever good, Maeve?" he replies.

20

MAEVE

Stories of originals trapped in a timeless world. Curses against every hemia. The intention to reveal supes to humans. The games the First plays over and over. The creature could kill everybody—kill Gabriella—but refuses. The thing talks about natural order. Natural order. This creature has no interest in anything but self-preservation.

"The First set us out like chess pieces so it can watch," I say, teeth gritted. "Somebody could die when we fight Gabriella."

"Nobody will die," says Tobias firmly. "We survived once, and we will again."

"Gabriella has the creature's blood and shared it with her followers," I say in desperation. "The First allowed this, despite insisting it wants Gabriella dead because the stupid vampire stole the creature’s blood."

"I have the First's blood, Maeve," says Andrei softly. "I'm part of her. Stronger than any Dominion."

Why does he exchange a look with Tobias? What haven't they told us?

"Against an army?" I ask. "And stop calling it her."

"We'll pick through Gabriella's army first," says Tobias. "We've more than enough power to take down the less potent Dominion members. Maeve's magic with Jamie's help. Ash's strength. My powers. And Andrei... We still don't know the extent of his."

"I'm eager to discover more," says Andrei. "And I want Gabriella to hear what I can do so she knows who's coming for her."

Everything inside me goes tight. Not due to Andrei's fighting talk, but when Jamie catches and holds my gaze. Shadows. He wants to use the shadows.

"I'll practice mind-control," I say pointedly and look away from him. "Attempt to scry. I might be able to predict where the battle happens and narrow down where we should look for Gabriella."

"As long as Gabriella's army doesn't include necromancers' constructs. Their minds aren't controllable. We'll need something else to take them down." Jamie says firmly, and my eyes widen as I look back at him. Shadows.

"Yes. Andrei. Ash. Tobias," I say tersely. "Me and you."

I catch Tobias watching us, but he says nothing, his brow pinching slightly.

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