Page 53 of The Dark Rises
“I’ll be damned,” Madoc says with a hint of admiration in his voice. “They’re using mirrors to reflect the sky and hide more soldiers. If you look closely, you can see a cloud drifting the wrong way or the same piece of sky replicated several feet apart.”
I raise an eyebrow at Fallon. “Good instincts.” Now that we know what we’re searching for, I’m able to get a better idea of the count. “Maybe fifteen to twenty soldiers.”
Theron’s violet eyes harden, and he picks up his phone. “We were right. Wait until we give the signal.”
“Valerian, Astor, Daire, and a half dozen of my best men,” he explains to Cormal, Madoc, and Meri. “Rivan’s suggestion.”
When all three turn to look at me, I shrug. “Last night, I realized you were right, and thought we should have back-up ready in case we needed it. Theron and the cadre agreed.”
Madoc’s scowl eases into something like approval, and Cormal slaps me on the back. “Good thinking.”
“Let’s go,” I say, urging everyone forward. I’m furious, but I manage to shove the emotions down deep until my face is completely blank.
Twenty feet to go. Aeris drops down in front of us and folds in her wings.
Startled, I look at the dark-haired woman leading the Fire Fae to the meeting point, and she smirks as if I’m a fool for believing she was my sister.
Aeris strides forward, her features so strikingly similar to our mother, I can’t breathe. She raises her fist and Phoenix, including those who are shielding their presence with the mirrors, reveal themselves. Gold triumphant eyes lock with mine, victory shining in their depths, and I see our father in the lines of determination on her face.
“We agreed to seven,” I remind her, instinctively tracking the movement of the Phoenix in the sky. “Were you scared to meet with me?” Deliberately taunting her to see if she can stay cool.
She lifts her chin. “Never trust a traitor. That’s what Dad always said.”
Surprised, I stare at her, then bark with laughter. “Ironic coming from him. I’m not a traitor. In fact, I’m pretty sure I’ve sacrificed more for the Phoenix than anyone else still alive.” I watch several of the older Fire Fae shift from one foot to the other. Some people remember me.
She presses her lips together.
“You look like her,” I blurt, unable to stop myself. The last time I saw my mother was a week before we surrendered. Boththe elite squad and I had needed a break, so I ordered everyone home for a couple of days.
She sweeps me with a furious gaze. “Don’t you dare bring her into this.”
“How did she die?” I ask, desperate to know.
Her brows draw together. “Father didn’t tell you?”
When I shake my head, her shoulders drop. “She died trying to protect me and the rest of the Fire Fae children from the light Fae.” She spears me a look of speculation. “It happened the night before you and the elite squad surrendered. Dad… told me you knew. Said it changed nothing.”
Shocked, I shake my head, unable to say anything. The entire time I spent in the light Fae court, nobody had ever mentioned her death to me.
She scrubs her face. “It doesn’t matter. She died. Life moved on.”
I step forward. “I’m sorry. She was the best of us.” Taking a deep breath, I offer my hands to her. “Do you want to say the rites?” Which is it going to be, Sister? Peace or war? I wait for her to decide.
For a few seconds, she stares at my hands with a wistful expression on her face. One of the men next to her says something, and I watch her wipe the expression from her face. The moment is gone.
“Do you really think I’d say the rites with his killer?” She sneers, looking away for a second. She scans our side and points to Meri. “I’m only here for her head.”
She never could lie worth a damn. “For the record, I didn’t kill Brixton, but I can guess who did.”
She shuffles back and forth.
“You know what? It doesn’t matter. He was the wrong leader for the Phoenix. Maybe now you can find a leader who puts the needs of the people first,” I state firmly, staring directly at her.
She lifts a defiant chin. “The Fire Fae want our freedom. Our next leader will accept nothing less.” The ones with her yell in agreement and raise their fists.
Inspired by their actions, she raises hers again.
Damn it.
