Page 298 of Midnights
Shifters served the Shadow Queen, their abilities shackled by spells so ancient that not even death himself could break them. They were soldiers. Pawns. Shadows bound to her will.
But a True shifter could never be bound. They’re loyal to the bloodline. They also choose their loyalty and when they do, it’s for life. It is for this reason that some scholars speculate the Shadow Queen herself was the one to eradicate them.
Yet the question remains. Did they ever exist?
I skim through a few other entries, some intriguing, but not immediately relevant. Blood magic, elemental affinities, telepathy.
Then my eyes land on another interesting passage that has me sucking in a breath.
There are many forms of power. However, the strongest Fae to date is the Shadow King. His name is spoken in hushed tones, if at all. To the courts, he is both a warning and a curse, the shadow in every story mothers tell their children to keep them from wandering too far. No full record of his capabilities exists, but those documented include:
-Strength
-Healing
-Mind Manipulation
-Shapeshifting
-Shadow control.
My heart skips a beat.
I reread the words, letting them settle over me. Shapeshifting.
The mention of True Shifters already had me spinning, but this? Who is the King of Nveri? Cam mentioned the witches finding refuge in other realms, which means there has to be more than one king, right?
My thoughts flash to Cam. He said he could shift. Could he be a True Shifter? I know he laughed it off when I asked him if he was the king, but it says right here that the Shadow King can shift. So maybe he lied to me.
I shake my head, because the more I learn, the deeper the questions go. My only option is to just go back and find out as much as I can, and hope it leads to answers about my family.
The sharp buzz of my phone jolts me from my thoughts, letting me know the driver will be here shortly.
I sigh, snapping the book shut before tucking it carefully into my bag. I slip in a few other things I plan to take to Kane’s, but the uneasy feeling lingers, threading itself through my spine like a warning.
There’s more to this, I can feel it.
I don’t want to take all my bags to my meeting, I'll just come back when I'm done, then head out. I’m sure the house is safe, especially if it belongs to Kane. I decide to slide my bag under the bed, you can never be too careful.
The driver's almost here, so I step outside and sink into one of the porch chairs, letting the warmth of the sunlight chase away the chill in my thoughts. I close my eyes and listen to the soft breeze, it should be calming, but my mind is now tangled in the words I just read.
True shifters. The Shadow King. The rise of the Shadow Queen. Who are these people?
Chapter 50
I Wish YouWould…
Raven
This place is different from the last restaurant Mike took me to. It seems cozier, more intimate. This feels like the kind of place where whispered conversations feel like secrets.
I step out just as Mike gets out of his own car, walking toward me with that signature confident ease of his. He looks sharp in his suit, with his perfectly styled hair.
“You look lovely today, Raven.”
His tone is easy, but I don’t miss the way his gaze drags over to me, taking in every detail.
“Thank you.” I offer a polite smile, refusing to admit how good he looks in a suit. “I have to admit, I wasn’t expecting this meeting so soon. You work fast.”
