Page 77 of Lady of Darkness

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

“It wasn’t my secret to tell.”

“Bullshit,” Cassius spat again.

“Maybe we should be asking why Nuri here did not share that she has known for quite some time that Scarlett is Fae.”

Cassius whirled to Nuri.

“Don’t do this, you fire Fae prick,” she snarled at Sorin. “Don’t you dare turn us against each other.”

“You tend to do that well enough on your own, don’t you think?” Sorin mused.

A wicked grin of delight spread across Nuri’s face. “Have you told him just how powerful you are?”

“He has seen plenty of my power,” Sorin purred, flames engulfing the entire perimeter of the living area of the apartment. Nuri flinched back, hatred shining in her honey eyes as she glared at Sorin.

“Enough,” Cassius snapped. “This power struggle is ridiculous.”

“There is no struggle,” Sorin retorted, as the flames guttered out. “Not any more.”

“We shall play again some day,” Nuri said softly, “and it shall be most enjoyable.”

“I look forward to it,” Sorin retorted with a superior grin.

“Shifters,” Cassius ground out from between gritted teeth. “What are Shifters?”

“Beings that can change their form. Most only have one other form — a mountain cat or a wolf or a bird of some sort or some other type of animal. There are a few though who possess raw shape-shifting powers. They can make themselves look like you or me or any animal they choose. They can become as small as a fly or make themselves look like a king. They were incredibly valuable to the Courts and Avonleya,” Sorin said.

“Avonleya?” Cassius asked, his eyes going wide.

Sorin sighed. “I know these lands rarely mention Avonleya, but the war with that continent did happen, and that war affected everyone on their continent as well as this one. The Shifters were loyal to the Courts, and when Avonleya lost, their allies and armies were punished. They were allowed to live but were isolated.”

“Were you alive during that war?” Nuri asked suddenly.

“No. I was born after they were locked away,” Sorin answered.

Cassius was quiet, returning his attention to the map laid out before him. “Witches are self-explanatory, I’m guessing?”

Sorin nodded. “They are incredibly powerful. Masters of apothecary and healing and spellwork. The Witch Kingdoms are also where I suspect your bloodline is from.”

Cassius’s head snapped up. “You think I am a Witch?”

“No. I think your mother is a Witch. I do not know what you are yet.”

“Why not a Witch?”

“A Witch can only be female. You clearly are not,” Sorin answered with a shrug.

Cassius rolled his eyes. “Then what of my father?”

“That I do not know,” Sorin said, contemplating. “Possibly mortal, but then I do not think you would be so powerful. The Witches are very violent. Males in their realm are lesser beings. Male children are often killed, especially if they exhibit signs of powers. If I am correct, your mother attempted to save you by sending you here, far from the Witch Kingdoms.”

Cassius started, shock on his features. “You speak of this as if it’s nothing.”

“I have been alive for centuries. I have witnessed many atrocities,” Sorin said, his voice low and somber. “It is difficult for Fae, Witches, and Shifters to conceive children and carry them to term. The fact that Witches discard theirs so easily has always been something I have despised. I do not travel to the Witch Kingdoms often, and when I do, I make short work of my tasks.”

“I thought you said the other territories are isolated. How can you travel to them?” Cassius asked.

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