Page 78 of Crown of the Fae King

“If this pact be broken…Ambition shall walk free again. If he is allowed…to gather and unite…The Naming Powers, he will be thereby…God of All.Capitalized.

“May all parties…abide by the terms herein…so that all races and all realms may be…safe from Ambition.”

The men across from me sat in stunned silence, staring at the signatures at the bottom of the page, where Flann’s pointer finger hovered.

“What does it say?”

Wickham’s gaze cut to me for a second, then dropped back to the document. It was a warning to hide my excitement. He pointed to the signatures. “Ghloir, Head of the Fae,andAfi Cean More, both signed inred.”

Flann choked. Brian patted him on the back and laughed. “Afi, in Norse, is grandfather--”

Wickham shook his head. “Fire, I think.”

“And More…”

Wickham cut him off again. “Means Head. Chieftain. The Fire Chieftain perhaps. RememberCanmore--of King Malcolm Canmore--translated to Big Head or Big Chief.” Wickham chuckled. “If this fella thought of himself as the leader of a race set apart, perhaps he did have a big head, aye?”

The men laughed. I was still distracted by the pigments. “If this is so old, isn’t it odd they had different colors of ink?”

“Signed in blood.” Griffon nudged me and grinned. “Do you believe in fairies now, Lennon?” He then nodded to the brothers. “Which of these two wagered he could get you to believe?”

I hadn’t given Brian or Flann the heads up on that little lie. “It’s been so long…”

“I did,” Brian said, smiling. “Seems only fair I should share my winnings with you, so it does.”

Flann tapped the table. “Any problem with takin’ a photograph? For my own use, of course.”

Griffon blinked a few times, thinking. “I suppose not. Though you mustn’t use a flash.”

Wickham pulled out his phone and took half a dozen shots from different angles and promised Flann he got it all.

I couldn’t believe Griffon couldn’t feel the tension in the air. I felt like my hair was crackling with static. But I played it as cool as I could. My companions wanted to get out of there fast, but we couldn’t exactly run for the door. However, since they were already standing from taking pictures, I stood up too.

Griffon jumped up to pull my chair out further, then put his arm around my waist. “Too early for lunch?”

“I’m sorry. We’ve all made promises for the afternoon.”

He leaned closer. “Even you?”

I grimaced. “Sorry. I’m getting my arm X-rayed. Broke it not too long ago.”

Griffon scowled. “You must have dangerous hobbies. I worry—”

“Not me. Total fluke. Won’t happen again. Don’t worry. I’ll…see you in the stacks…tomorrow.”

He sighed, nodded, and let me go. “The Bod? Say ten?”

“Perfect.”

“You promised.” He kissed me quick and released me.

After the others set their gloves on the table, Griffon nodded and waved. “Glad you enjoyed yourselves.”

“Oh, we did!” Flann’s voice cracked. There was not hidinghisexcitement, and everyone laughed as we stepped out the security door. Not a word was said as we made our way outside. Halfway to the parking lot, however, Flann couldn’t contain himself any longer…and raced his brother to the car.

We rodein silence until Wickham pulled out his phone to dictate a message to the team. “Drop everything. Meet in the war room. Kitch, get my sisters on. And locate Soni. I’ll need to see her.”

Soni was the niece. I thought she was out of the picture, but I must have been wrong.

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