Page 42 of The Light Falls
Two hundred years after Lord Basilus and his family moved here, the massive keep was destroyed. The wind told of secrets and broken pacts. Blood and ash cover the stones. The scene of a great massacre with very few survivors.
Ringing breaks the silence.
“We have a problem.”
While I’m listening to Kaius’ confrontation with Lord Camon, Meri texts me to question Kaius’ integrity and relay the same conversation.
“Meri overheard it all. Keep her safe, and I’ll get answers,” I assure him. “Camon has ties to the Water Fae through his mate, Brina. I’ll start searching in her hometown first.”
Hanging up, I consider the ground beneath my feet. When I set out to investigate Lord Lorn, I didn’t expect to find myself in the desolate land once inhabited by the Fire Fae. I’ve ended up with more questions than answers, and nothing has told me whether Lorn can be trusted.
* * *
After makingseveral calls and stopping to pick up a few of my men, we step out of a portal on the outskirts of a small light Fae city called Seva. Home to a large population of Water Fae, the port city serves as a transportation hub for goods and services heading inland. I nod to Sika, a blue-haired Selkie-and-nymph hybrid who happens to resemble his father, and he disappears ahead of us.
Once he leaves, Ren, a merman I saved from an unscrupulous demon, and Kavi, a Chaos demon who serves as one of my guards, follow me to Brina’s house. Or at least the one she grew up in.
Made of bleached stone sanded smooth from the thousands of years of salt water and wind, the weathered house is huge. On a bluff overlooking the sea below, its size and prominence tells me her family holds significant status among the Water Fae. Like the aristocratic light Fae, the Lesser Fae have tiers to their society. Obviously, Brina’s family belongs to the upper echelons.
Workers slip in and out of the house, tending to the gardens or heading into town. We watch the busy household for a couple of hours but see nothing out of the ordinary. Tapping Kavi on the shoulder, we disappear into the shadows and enter the house. Once inside, he guards my back while I search for information.
A little finder’s spell, and my magic hums. The layout of the house appears in my mind, along with a beacon to guide me where I need to go. With Kavi on my heels, we head down a flight of stairs, then out the back of the house. Fifty feet from the house, we take more steps down into an old cellar filled with stored goods. Passing through the shelving, we head to the very back.
The beacon passes through the stone wall, and without hesitation, we follow. On the other side, we find rooms and tunnels filled with people. Motioning for Kavi to stay, I slip from one shadow to the next, listening to bits of conversation along the way. On the far side of the room is a large map on the wall. I move to the corner to get a better view.
It’s a map of the Light Fae Kingdom. Lines are strung with string, various color dots are distributed throughout the map, along with a few stars. My gut sinks. It’s a war map with cities, supply routes, soldiers, and strongholds.
The purple stars scattered across the kingdom aren’t tagged, but when I see five at Meri’s palace and a couple dozen in the nearby city of Meira, my guess is they are spies.
While I stand in the shadows and memorize the map, a group of very familiar fire drakes stride in from a side tunnel. They clasp forearms with an older looking man on the other side of the room.
“Fisk.”
My interest switches from the map to the man. Fisk. Reeks of power. Medium stature. Stocky. Dark blue hair indicates he’s Water Fae, and the aged appearance to his face tells me he’s old. Very old. Unlike light Fae, Lesser Fae do age, but the process takes thousands of years. This is the leader Camon mentioned to Kaius.
“How’s the heckling going?” Fisk asks the fire drakes with a harsh laugh.
The leader, who I fought in the ring last night, shrugs. “My sources say Estrella will ask the council for an intervention soon. We’ll handle it. More importantly, when are you going to give us a real mission?”
Fisk makes a note on a pad at his elbow. “I’ll let my man in the palace know.” He tosses down the pencil. “You have one of the most important missions right now. Drawing the eye of the council. It looks like you’re succeeding, too. Well done.” Fish runs his hand against the scruff on his chin. When the fire drakes continue to stand there, he turns light blue eyes toward the leader.
Face whitening, the fire drake quickly makes a motion to the rest of his team to move out.
When they’re gone, the old man chuckles, then stills. He casually scans the people around him. Light blue eyes pass where I’m hidden in the shadows, never stopping, but the sight of his eyes makes my gut tighten.
Son of a bitch.
He’s a myth. A cirein-croin. No wonder the fire drake almost shit his pants. Staring down a legendary sea monster that can give a kraken a run for his money would make the fiercest Fire Fae flee. I thought they were extinct. Bet a lot of others did too.
This operation is heavily funded and well planned. By him? I would bet this is his house, which makes him Brina’s family. Not likely her father, but someone a bit further back. This is a big stand for a creature that has chosen to remain hidden and “extinct” for the last few thousand years.
Lord Camon strides into the room and up to the man. “Fisk.”
With a broad smile, Fisk turns and pulls the High Fae into a tight hug. “Camon. Where’s that granddaughter of mine?”
Camon’s face is tight. “At home. She wanted to come, but in her condition, I won’t let her travel. Besides, this is family business, and until we know for sure, I would rather wait to tell her.”
Fisk steps back to lean on the desk. “What is it?”
