Page 143 of A Vow of Wrath and Ruin

“Except all of them don’t control every creature living underwater. Calliope is more powerful than Arendir and could crush him if she wanted to. The only reason she doesn’t is because she knows they would come after the Wild Courts, of which she is one. She likes to keep to her own business, and I much prefer it that way as well.”

Amolie chimed in, “So, were the mer enslaved by the elves too?”

“No,” Hopper answered. “Calliope slipped into the river before her throat could be slit. She and Eoghan… er, the Alder King, worked together to fight back against the elves, which is how she became a member of his court.”

“The mer aren’t technically sylph, although I guess you could consider their ability to breathe underwater and walk on land a ‘gift.’ They worship both Illya and Manannán mac Lir.”

“Like the witches are and aren’t human,” Amolie said.

“Yes,” Tharan said, leaning back in his chair. “If I had to guess, I’d say witches are the result of humans and sylph mating and then the offspring of two half-breeds and so on and so forth, until witches appeared to be human but still retained a bit of magic.”

Amolie chuckled.

“That makes much more sense than what they tell us.”

Hopper arched a brow, but Tharan’s mind was a million miles away. To wherever Aelia was. How could he sit and enjoy his friends while his love was out there suffering?

Sumac waltzed into the room with the grace only afforded to those of the Hunt. “I’ve found something.”

Tharan sat up straight in his chair. He didn’t dare to hope for good news.

Sumac continued, “The snow covered most of their tracks since they left, but what I could make out seemed to point toward the temple of Ammena.”

Now that was intriguing… “Go on…”

“The trail went cold after that, but I did find one of my men half alive, huddled in a closet in the temple.”

“Is he going to be alright?” Tharan asked, concern flaring. There were few who could take down a member of the Hunt. Either they were ambushed or outnumbered.

“He’ll live. The healers took him to the infirmary. I could not find my other man who went with them.” Her face knitted with concern.

“Only someone both powerful and well trained could take down two riders of the Hunt.” Tharan ran his thumb over his bottom lip as he gazed into the fire. “Could Calliope’s mer have done this?”

Sumac cocked her head.

“Perhaps. They are certainly known to be ruthless. But usually, they devour their victims.”

Amolie’s already pale face whitened at the thought.

Tharan’s stomach churned. First Aelia, now two of his Hunt. He could feel his authority slipping away and a heat rising in his veins.

“Perhaps that is what happened to the other soldier,” Tharan said, trying his best to keep his voice calm.

Sumac nodded.

“We will question him when he wakes. He was so bloodied I didn’t bother to ask him any questions.”

“Did you find anything else?”

“The priestesses said there looked to be signs of a struggle in the temple, but they cleaned it up so no parishioners would see.”

“Of course they did,” Hopper chimed in.

“So, we have three missing people and no leads. Perfect.” Tharan took a long drag from his cigarette.

“I guess we’ll have some answers in a few days,” Hopper said.

“In a few days, both Aelia and Baylis could be dead.” Tharan slammed his fist on the arm of his chair. “I wish there was more we could do besides wait.”

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