Page 19 of A Trial of Fate

This time, I didn’t hesitate as I willed my legs to carry me away, thanking the gods that I somehow survived an encounter with Silver Shadow because no one ever had before me.

My breathing became rapid as my hands trembled. “I knew he was a warrior. Just by the looks of him, I guessed that much,” I stated. “There was no questioning that. But I had no idea he wasthiswarrior. He’s one of the most powerful High Fae in history.”

“Andyousomehow almost managed to kill him!” Neera exclaimed, her green eyes flaring. “You better go apologize and try toheal him with your magic.”

“I tried,” I replied, “but he wouldn’t let me, Gilen wouldn’t let me.” I pursed my lips, still disgruntled by how Gilen tried to physically force me to stand aside and order me around.

“Then you try again. You owe him that much, at least. The reason for them being here must be important if both Silver Shadow and the high queen of the fae are here. They would be honored, if not slightly feared, guests. You need to make amends.”

“I have no idea where they are staying,” I countered.

Okay, that wasn’t entirely true, but after reading the squire’s account of Silver Shadow in battle, I was hesitant to face him again.

“Seriously? You do, too.” Neera half laughed and took the book back from me. “Not scared, are you? Since when is Skylar Cathal scared and not willing to push the boundaries of the rules.”

“I am not scared,” I snapped. “Gah, fine.” I huffed, slumping my shoulders forward and closing the book. “I know where they would likely be… but I don’t want to get into any more trouble. Gilen is not happy with me right now. I may have challenged him and didn’t exactly follow his command while on patrol.”

“And since when does that stop you, Skylar?”

I smiled at my cousin’s response. She knew me so well.

“You have always been able to bend the rules and stand on your own. I think it’s time you started doing just that and realized you are stronger than you think.”

“And breaking into the alpha’s home would benefit me how, Neera?”

“Because youwantto see Silver Shadow again.” Her alluring eyes seemed to sparkle with her own amusement.

“Neera!” I gasped.

“You want answers, and this male has to know something.”

I mulled over Neera’s logic, and I had to admit she wasn’t wrong. But it didn’t change how I hated her just a little bit in spite of how right she was. Knowing me well enough to manipulate my curiosity was clever; I’d give her that.

“Go… and find out all you can. Then come straight back here and tell me everything,” she said, smirking and practically pushing me out the door.

“Oh, I see how it is.” I narrowed my gaze at her with a mischievous grin. “You’re invested now, too. You’re curious.”

“Hurry along, would you?” Neera scolded as she shoved me out the open door and into the falling rain.

Chapter Six

The rain was falling harder than ever, almost like combined winds from the sea and the nearby mountains united to create a superstorm over our heads. Despite the rain, the specks of moonlight helped guide me through the forest, keeping off the main paved roads and even packed-down dirt trails along the outer edge of town.

In the distance, I could see the firelight lanterns in the main sections of town with silhouettes of lampposts that would burn throughout the evening. I stayed on the outskirts of the city center, dodging through various smaller cottages and yards of villagers who were luckily sound asleep. I didn’t want to attract any more unwanted attention for the night.

The annoyingly consistent rainfall thankfully helped conceal my scent and cover my tracks as I ran through the forest, but I was completely soaked to the bone. As the alpha’s house came into view, I carefully assessed the areas around the large compound and the land surrounding it.

Alistar’s home was a gigantic log cabin structure reinforced with decorative gray and white stone. There were three main levels with various side staircases that led to each floor and different hallways that connected the numerous rooms throughout the structure, with towers on either side. Large windows adorned each area of the central section of the building, allowing the natural surroundings to shine through the interior.

Each new alpha of our pack created their own addition to the main structure during their time as our leader. Even though my father’s time as the alpha was shorter than most, he added his own touch of elegance before I was born. He constructed a vast library on the bottom floor that was open to all shifters to come and borrow as they pleased. It was one of the reasons I loved to read as much as I did. I believed this was a connection I had with him—our shared love of literature and creativity, along with the gift of my animal spirit.

I crouched in the nearby brush of hemlock and devil’s club, hiding from the light emanating from the gaping A-frame windows.Through the clear glass, I could see the large center mantle was roaring, and candles illuminated the corners of the gathering room. It was an open area, larger than our whole house, where Alistar and past alphas conducted their pack business and gatherings.

I recognized the burly, tall figure to Alistar’s left with his small but fierce mate at his side—Magnus and Julia. Elders from the Satellite pack regions were also gathered, with a lone cloaked figure that had their back turned to the window. Judging by the slender, curved silhouette alone, I assessed that they were female. Commotion stirred along the hallway as a dark-blond-haired shifter joined them, and I knew without a doubt that it was Gilen.

I swallowed a twinge of regret watching him from outside the cabin. Pack members were allowed to enter the alpha’s residence, but Gilen had specifically ordered me to return home when Talon dropped me off—and to stay there. Lucky for me, however, he didn’t say for how long.

The healers’ quarters, which I knew by heart, were toward the left side of the complex, closest to the nearby creek and training field. Since my healing magic was well known in our pack, I was a frequent visitor to this section of the compound. If the lead healer, Latte, had an injury or illness she couldn’t fix, I was called in to assist. I didn’t make it a habit to interfere with her craft, and I believe she respected me for it. We assumed I inherited my powerful healing abilities from my mother’s bloodline, but I didn’t understand the complex knowledge the healers possessed from years of work and experience. I was learning, though. Between bouts in the training fields honing my archery skills and whatever time I could spare, I would also sit and learn from the healers.

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