Page 56 of Midwinter Night's Prince

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THE ELDER

Seth hadn’t often participated in a major spell; vampires could use elemental magic, but they were more inclined to cut to the chase and make use of their claws and fangs to sort problems out. As witches lacked their natural speed and strength, they’d naturally evolved beyond the magic of immortals—they’d spent more time honing their craft.

At the lakeside, right after sundown, he stood inside a salt circle, reading the instructions Greer had printed for them—just a few short lines. As a support to the person casting the spell, his job was to lend his power, nothing more.

He rolled his eyes at the obvious instructions, such as “don’t step outside the circle” and “hold your link to your element until the end of the spell.” The important elements were the simplified chants he’d have to repeat a time or two. He memorized those and put the paper in his pocket, redirecting his attention to Blair.

She sat in front of the large bonfire they’d just lit, a checkered throw over her shoulders. She’d barely glanced at him since morning. He was half amused, half frustrated, and entirely eager to get back exactly where they’d been interrupted.

She was immortal, strong, and his. She just needed to get with the program. Arguably, they had other fish to fry right now, but they had time.

So long as Aveka was taken care of tonight.

Another reason to murder the bitch.

“Is Mikar still with the prisoner?” he asked Diana.

She nodded. “The kid has a will of iron. Mikar’s not asking lightly, but Erys isn’t saying anything. Just having him in the dungeon could help, regardless; that’s one less close guard to think about, right?”

Seth nodded. Before he added anything further, Greer clapped her hand to command attention.

“All right, Blair, I need you inside the inner salt circle. Everyone who wants to be linked to Blair needs to be inside the outer water circle.” Greer pointed to two lines marked on the grass.

Everyone moved to take their place in the outer circle. “Wait, we can’t bind her to this many people. My spell’s a lot stronger than the kind of trick heads of covens do to be able to summon their followers—it’ll also pinpoint Blair’s exact location. If we split it too many ways, the spell might unravel. I’d say we can do seven links at most.”

“I’m staying,” Chloe announced, her tone daring anyone to disagree.

“Same,” Gwen put in.

Jack shook his head. “I think it’s best if I do it, sweetheart. I can fly to her faster than you can get there.”

Gwen didn’t like it, but she relented.

“Wait, if I’m helping with the spell, does it mean I can’t have a link to Blair?” he clarified.

Greer nodded. “It shouldn’t matter much in your case. You’re going with her, right?”

Seth didn’t like any of it, but he nodded nonetheless.

Diana, Levi, Alexius, and Cat had taken their positions, and everyone left argued to take the last place, when a figure emerged from the forest. Fin Varra wore a long black skirt, floating around him, and strangely, nothing but a green scarf. He strolled to the outer circle without so much as a word to anyone else as they stared.

Seth had participated in most of the battles in Oldcrest, and he didn’t think the Aos Si had ever so much as lifted a finger. And now he was here.

Maybe Alexius hadn’t been so far off, after all. The fae could have a thing for Blair. He narrowed his eyes, irritated by just how ridiculously pretty his entire kind was.

“I’m surprised to see you,” Levi finally ventured. “You made it clear you had to remain impartial when you came to Earth.”

“I cannot weigh in on mortal affairs,” Fin agreed with a shrug. “My understanding is this is no longer a mortal affair, is it?” he asked, his eyes scanning the crowd around him.

Greer lifted her hand. “I’m here. I’m mortal.”

"Shush,” Avani whispered. “Now’s not the time for semantics. He could change his mind.”

Even Seth had to admit, having an elder fae on their side wasn’t something to take lightly.

“I see no reason I should; you’re hardly mortal, little Greer, with all those souls screaming around your mind at every turn.”

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