Page 108 of Within the Veil

Turning to face him, a lust-filled light dances in his eyes, and his magic dances along my skin, playing a seductive tempo before he sweeps his blade and free hand into the air and lashes out with an elemental bomb, swirling, glittering forces of allfivethat hit me directly on the chest. Instead of the impact I was preparing to block, my belly glows a bright purple, absorbing the sheer force and potency of the hit, before throwing it right back at Oberon, almost knocking him off his feet, but he takes into the air with a powerful beat of his wings.

We pause in shock and stare at my still glowing, belly-yoga-ball of terror as the remnants of the power flutter over my body before seeping into my skin. I magically sheathe my spear behind me and take in a sharp breath as the power fills an empty ache that Iwouldhave stuffed with a Cheeto taco, but it sates me better than food ever could--and that's saying something.

"They punched their dad...then ate his magic..." Zane mutters, amusement and satisfaction coloring his tone.

"More like they 'quicker-picker-upper'ed the fuck out of his magic. Note to self, do not leak magic around the ravenous Fae royal babies. " Jensi adds, his eyes darting back and forth, between me and Oberon, his mouth slightly agape.

I roll my eyes at Jensi and my eyes flick up from my belly to watch as Oberon's handsome face pinches around the corners of his blue eyes, and he drops to the floor, his weapon disappearing as he strides forward to kneel in front of me. My lips quirk at his slightly slack-jawed expression as his hulking frame, still at eye level with my chest even on his knees, leans forward to place a soft kiss on my belly.

"No, you all did not earn a pet bunny, but you have all suitably impressed me enough to have earned several weapons when you are old enough to learn how to wield them properly," he chuckles softly as my belly glows, and the babies voice their -not so- quiet displeasure with hints of excitement.

"Right...so...anyone else ready for lunch and a break from the constant surprises that seem to keep popping up and changing everything we understand about ourselves as a people?" Ryder's voice trails off, the words hanging in the air as he stares in stunned silence at us.

I laugh as everyone -- soldiers, children, and fluttering pixies -- included in the room raises their hand.

* * *

Hudson

Forgetting the Council Meeting altogether, moments later, all of us--mates, sentinels, and even Xena-- are striding through Knowledge Library until we are surrounding the Dùn Leabhar. Part of me feels like we should all touch it so that we can get to the Quidditch world cup and stab a few Death Eaters, but the other part wants to find a way to open it, play Mary Poppins, and pull a bunch of random shit out, like a penis lamp.

Elodia pops out of the side of the dark wood, where the intricate designs seem to be moving at a faster pace than before, making me wonder if we were currentlymakinghistory or destroying the future. Either way, not like we can stop this train wreck of fate; just have to hold on a little bit tighter and hope there is sufficient padding to soften the blow.Looking at you, Gaia.

Elodia's laughter bubbles up, the sound a cascade of pure joy that makes everyone smile, even Oberon--okay, more like he didn't frown, let's not get too enthusiastic here--, and eyes sparkle.

"Your mind is absolutely delightful, Hudson. The speed at which you concoct different scenarios is absolutely astounding. It's no wonder your mates live in a constant state of amusement," Elodia shakes her head lightly.

"That's one word for it," Zane mutters. I stick my tongue out at him, and he rolls his eyes. He's quite fortunate that he is a handsome asshole, or I would shove my spear up...

Elodia claps, bringing my attention back to her. "Before you spiral again, I assume you are all here for the Dùn Leabhar to gauge your worthiness?" She meets the gaze of everyone in the room, pausing briefly as she meets Oberon's intense stare before meeting mine again. The mini stare-off doesn't escape my notice, but before I can ask, Elodia continues, her face devoid of humor.

"Wonderful, one by one, you may place your hand on the Dùn Leabhar. As I informed Hudson, your touch will leave a whisper, an imprint, of your essence. If deemed worthy, the desk may impart necessary knowledge. That knowledge can and, more than likely, will vary amongst all of you. Some, all, or none of that knowledge will be able to be shared with one another. Even if deemed worthy, you may not have anything imparted upon you. At least not until you are in need or require that knowledge." Elodia points at Zane and without hesitation, he moves forward and places his hand on the center of the desk.

The moment he does, the figures start to move as if in a frenzy to record this moment in time.

* * *

Zane

The moment I place my hand on the desk, the little figures start to move rapidly and I feel a slight electric current work its way from my fingertips to the center of my chest, warming me from within.

I admit I expected something more... theatrical--Much like everything else that is fucking happening all the time now. But other than an overwhelming sense of approval coming from the desk and a sudden understanding of Hudson's new spear, I pull away, stepping back to Hudson's side, feeling exactly the same as before.

Elodia's small head turns slightly as she purses her lips in approval, her green eyes sweeping up and down my person, seeing much more than I can at the moment. Although I have a feeling that she won't share whatever knowledge she seems to have gleaned. Her small chuckle at the thought confirms that and I resist the urge to scowl, missing the ability to properly plan and have a semblance of control ofanysituation. Drowning in a fuck ton of new developments is not my idea of fun.

I sigh as, one by one, everyone moves forward with much of the same. That is, until Oberon steps forward, places his hand on the desk and time seems to still as Elodia goes from the sweet tiny Fae to a beast twenty times her previous size.Fuck. Me.

* * *

Oberon

I don't hold back my sigh of annoyance as the protector of the Dùn Leabhar, goes into full protective mode the moment my hand touches the desk. This is precisely why I chose to go last, knowing the darkness that has stained my soul from years of dwelling beyond the light would trigger this response.

I admit, her transformation is absolutely incredible and I find myself slightly envious at her display of power as I calmly observe her delicate figure change. I look up to her new height, her muscles now etched with definition and encased in armor crafted with exquisite detail. The darkened metal plates, with intricate engravings of ancient symbols of protection and warding I haven't seen in centuries, contour to her body like a second skin, emitting a soft glow that illuminates the room. The once gentle features of her face contort into a fearsome visage, sharp teeth filling her mouth as she throws her head back with a snarl. The move causes glimmering spittal to fall from her mouth and I roll my eyes. Dramatic, but still impressive.

She looks down at me with an unwavering focus and I meet her menacing gaze with my bored one. While she may, very well, be able to rip me clean in half with both her teeth and fists, I cannot muster one drop of fear. Whether that be from refusal to acknowledge death as a possibility or the fact that my children, within Hudson's belly, respond to the threat of my person with such a fierce intensity that their displeasure resonates louder than Elodia's anger, I am not quite sure. Regardless, I wait until Elodia decides to address the winged elephant in the room, as Ryder would say.

"You have dwelled where the light is not meant to tread; you have darkened your soul," her deepened voice is impressively laced with an equal amount of venom and vitriol and seems to come from everywhere at once. A sweet melody of the promise of pain...yet...I pause with a loving sigh, yet it is merely a whisper--One that caresses one's skin as gently as a knife would dance across an enemy's throat. Lovingly and with intent as their warm blood seeps through your fingers.

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