Page 48 of Guardian of Shadows

“His name is Nekoma, but he claims Elle knows him as Novus.”

Chapter 16

It was probably a good thing Elle was paralyzed, or else she would have fallen off Tony’s lap. “Novus is a raven.”

“That’s not possible, Brent. Novus is a raven.”

“He’s a raven shifter. I’ve seen it for myself,” Brent said. “Hang on. Yari wants to talk to Elle.”

“Does she know Elle is currently paralyzed and can’t speak?”

“Hey, Tony. Yes, I do. Brent told me everything. Listen, I don’t know how he disappeared, but I too saw him shift. What I don’t know is if he was telling the truth about being Novus, and if so, why he never showed himself before now. I’m getting on the first plane out, but it’ll take me a few hours to get there unless I can get the Queen to open a portal for me.”

Novus was a shifter? Then why hadn’t he told her that? All the years they spent together with him sitting on a nearby branch while she practiced with her bow, they could have carried on conversations. They could have been true friends.

“I can disappear, so it’s not a stretch that someone else has the same ability.”

“Wouldn’t it be better if you tried to find this male? If he can remove the sigil—”

“No. Before he poofed out of existence, he said he’d just go to Elle.”

“What? How is that possible?”

“I don’t know, but Tony—”

“He’s not getting anywhere near her. I promise you that.”

Gronk.

“Uh, Tony?”

“Fuck. I think he’s here. I’ll call you back.” Yari was yelling into the phone when Tony disconnected. “Sword, Tabby.” Tabitha called forth two long blades from the bracelets on her arms.

As Tony stood and turned toward the kitchen, a deep voice called out, “Elledan,” and Tony stopped. There was a dark-haired man standing right outside the tree line. The sun was setting, but there was still enough light to make out his appearance. This was the male from Connor’s drawing. He was dressed in a pale blue tunic over brown pants, which were tucked into tall leather boots. “You called for me last night. I was in Evyndral, so I sent my brothers to aid you.” He took a few steps, but Tabitha stalked toward him with one blade pointed in his direction.

“Do not take one more step closer, or I’ll have your head,” she threatened.

The back door opened, and Tony’s parents, along with Lilly and Dominic, came outside. Tessa jumped off the deck, calling forth her own swords before she landed on her feet. “Who the fuck are you?”

“Nekoma of Autumnvale.”

“He claims to also be Elle’s raven, Novus,” Tony explained.

Gregor and Dominic stepped to either side of Tony and Elle, and Lilly glided down the steps but didn’t go farther into the yard. Dominic didn’t stop her, which Elle found interesting. Instead of a sword, she shook her wrist, and her bracelet became a wand. Fascinating.

Novus – no, Nekoma – held his hands up. “Elledan, you know me. Search your heart. It is I, the one you call Novus. Will you speak with me?”

“She can’t speak. Grevolus paralyzed her,” Tony said.

Nekoma’s face darkened. “I will gut him like the véscbén he is. As I should have done long ago.”

“Why didn’t you?” Tony asked.

Nekoma beseeched Elle with his eyes. “I wasn’t strong enough. Grevolus is evil, and if my mother was truthful, more powerful than I. During those ten years Elledan lived with the male and his family, I could not show myself for fear the three of them would combine their powers and overtake me. I could not risk their retaliation on Elledan or my mother.” Nekoma blew out a breath. “Ever since Elledan disappeared through the portal, I have spent that time honing my powers. Learning new ones. Studying with my mother to be stronger than Grevolus. I also hid outside the royal castle, waiting to see if she returned. I have witnessed Yaricelan and the princess moving between realms, yet they never mentioned Elledan until recently. I overheard Yaricelan and Queen Zarina talking about a sigil Grevolus put on Elledan, but I couldn’t reveal myself, so I waited until Yaricelan went through the portal once more, and I followed. I believe I can counteract the mark. I should be able to remove the paralysis as well.”

“How?” Tony asked. “The Queen couldn’t remove the sigil, so what makes you think you can? And how are you speaking our language?”

Nekoma pointed to a talisman around his neck. “Language translator. Grevolus is also my sire, and my mother is a dark fae. I have learned much at her side.”

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