Page 70 of Veiled

He eyed me too keenly, a little obsessive maybe. I guess the creepiness factor was doing it for me. Still, I have a feeling this guy could put up a fight that would be worthy of a challenge. My magic jumped at the opportunity.

He jumped down from the trees and walked towards me, clapping, a hood with jewels covering his face, a bow slung on his back. I stayed still, comfortable in my blood chunks.

“Well, well, well, little mouse, I thought Kalen was exaggerating about your skill level, but I must admit, I’m very impressed, intrigued and very turned on at the moment,” his voice said darkly smooth, like a favorite cold beer, and I twitched in excitement. I imagined ripping of his cloak and discovering the magic underneath; I frowned, and he smiled at my visible reaction.

“Um, I’m glad you came to my performance. I admit I always get a little bit of stage fright right before the first act,” I shrugged nonchalantly, as if I didn’t just have sex with him in my head. “Want to explain who you are, other than Katniss Everdeen in a bedazzled cloak, and how do you know Kalen?”

He laughed. Fuck, I needed to start spouting some poetry; let me count the ways thou… I shook my head inwardly. Who the fuck was this guy?

“Ah well, I can answer both of those in time. I do enjoy a good movie, except I really hated Peta. Anyways, tell Kalen the Scail sends his regards and that the path is clear for now. However, camping is not in his best interest and the faster he gets to the Veil, the better. I’ll watch your back and dispatch any lurkers. Although you killed thirteen yourself and you're not even winded.” He turned his head and looked me over. “My, my, you are absolutely delicious. I look forward to seeing you soon, Queen.” At that, he jumped back into the trees and disappeared. I shook off the weird encounter and went back to camp. I took note of the one little present kept alive and being held by Remi and smiled.

Everyone looked fine, just a little bloody, but a little irritated that I left alone.

“Why the fuck did you run off by yourself?” Hunter yelled while I walked over to the prisoner. I scoffed; he had no confidence in me.

“You’re hot when you yell baby, but because I knew I could kill them and Xena was also there. Also, umm because my magic told me to?” Well, that part was also true.

“Your magic told you too? C’mon love, that's my line,” Ryder teased, tense and looking me over for injuries. I batted him off.

I walked over to the prisoner being held by Remi’s knee and her sword and grinned when my magic spiked, “Hello little windy fucker, want to tell me how you knew where we were and where we were going?” King came to stand next to me, feeling my magic spike, if what Kalen said was true.

“Chan innis mi dad dhut, banrigh meallta.” He said scathingly. Sigh, you know it now makes sense why Kalen encouraged I took Gaelic in school as an extracurricular, sneaky fuck.

“Oh, false queen? Well, you’re wrong, not only will you tell me, but I’m not a false anything.” I waved my hand dismissing the thought. Kalen came close and sighed, “you can’t force anything from a fae... it has to be willingly given. If he doesn’t want to talk, he won’t. It’s one of our oldest parts of us. We are a proud folk. No, if he won’t talk, then he’s useless.” I turned my head in thought.

“Oh, I saw something on google,” he looked at me scathingly. “Do not start Kalen, everyone knows the internet does not lie. Anyways, doesn’t that typically apply to humans who summon Fae? Wouldn’t it be the opposite if the Queen demanded it of her subjects?” I asked.

He shrugged, “theoretically, but although you are prophesied you are not seen as their queen yet. You are powerful, yet you are not on the throne or gained it through force or abdication. Also consider you would be a Seelie Queen, not Unseelie.” I thought about that for a second and smiled.

“But we do have a rightful queen here; Remi technically never abdicated, she just avoided the responsibility and wasn’t killed. So technically, by those laws he has to recognize Remi. It’s worth a shot - even if she’s not technically his Queen, he resides in the territory of the Seelie, subject to our rules?” By the panicked look in the prisoner’s eyes, I was right, score for us. He didn't realize who was holding him down. I clapped gleefully. “Okay Remi, your turn. AND SCENE!” I chuckled.

“Gee, I didn't practice my lines,” she rolled her eyes, “Subject, how did you find us, we’ve been traveling for quite some time by motor and by foot, yet you attack us now, why? Oh, and in English so everyone understands.” He struggled and spat at me, Remi adjusted her knee and he groaned.

“We were told where you were going by a friend of yours. Well, not really a friend now is he?” He tried to laugh, but it sounded like a choked meat grinder. Don’t ask. “We attacked now because on the way we were besieged and most of our numbers were decimated, before we could have overtaken you. We chose to attack quickly; fortunate you have a strong ally or else you wouldn’t be breathing. Your luck will run out though.” He spat and Remi frowned.

“What friend? And who attacked you?” She asked.

“ I know who attacked them, but we can get to that in a bit,” I muttered, ignoring the raised eyebrows in my direction, I turned back to the prisoner.

“As for the friend, Queen Remi,” he said scornfully, “I believe you call him uncail,” and he cackled.

“Uncle... Alvor,” I whispered and low gasps echoed in the silence.

Kalen cursed and walked away and roared at the top of his lungs. I couldn’t imagine how he was feeling, bad enough to suspect but to have it confirmed? I shook my head sadly.

“For how long, how long has Alvor been working for you…”

“You can stop with the questions- Nici and Alvor have been lovers since before you were even a Fae cub. This has been long in motion. You just were a pawn. You thought you were attacked by Nici’s real army at your pitiful little cottage back there? You would have been dust. You soon will be. I may not be there to see it, but I relish the idea of the idea of your death. Once we find the missing half of the prophecy…” Remi’s neck snapped up and Kalen froze.

“What do you mean missing? We have the entire prophecy,” Remi growled softly. We were so fucked if this shit is the truth. We have been operating on half batteries if this is the case.

“Oh, no, no, no.” He laughed and laughed, “The other half was taken by Oberon, the crone killed by his hand as well, so she couldn't repeat it.” Our eyes widened.

“Kill him, we don’t need him anymore.” My heart was in my throat. I walked away, ignoring the sounds of Remi hacking off his head. I bit my lip while my mind whirled. We were missing a part of the prophecy, and Alvor was indeed a traitor which means he knows about my growth, my mates and by playing both sides. He knew way too much to make me remotely comfortable.

I walked up to Kalen, “Hey, old man,” he smiled softly, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

He looked at me and shook his head, “You’re a pain in my ass, Hudson. You’re fortunate I trained you or else you’d be dead.”

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