Page 147 of A Crown Without Mercy

“If it can get out, we can get in,” Mordeci replied.

“Should we go in?” another asked.

Mordeci reached his hand out, and it disappeared within the tear. “It’s definitely a way in—”

Before he finished his sentence, the ripple let out a rumble, and and it appeared as if someone had been tossed out based on how he rolled across the ground.

They surrounded whomever it was and Mordeci lunged, wrapped his arm around his neck, covered his mouth with his hand, and pinned him face down on the ground. “Anything more than a whisper, and I will slit your fucking throat. Who the fuck are you?” he demanded.

Whomever it was, held out his hands as soon as he realized who had a hold of him and relaxed his body in order to let him know he was not fighting back. Mordeci slowly removed his hand. “Mordeci, it’s me Kadric Orfaedo.”

“Kadric? What the fuck is going on?” Mordeci replied, as he released his grip and stood.

Kadric rose, kneeled before him, and continued to hold his arms out. “You need to send word to the Acherons. The Faye are planning an invasion and they are looking for my bairn, Sylvana Orfaedo.”

“Get up,” Mordeci replied. “Milord, we have Kadric Orfaedo. He just appeared from the other side of the veil.”

“What? How?” Riordan asked.

“We haven’t gotten that far, milord, although he said to warn you. The Faye are planning an invasion.”

“No shit,” Riordan replied.

“I’ll leave him to you. I have no intention of stopping the search for Sylvana. Have a few of the Baroque Warriors escort him back to the castle and lock his ass up.”

Kadric stood and glanced amongst the familiar faces. “What are you all doing here?”

“What are you doing here?” Rhazien asked.

“I don’t have time to explain, but I can assure you I never once intended to betray the Acherons. Ranan said he knew the whereabouts of my mate, Myrine. However, it was a deception.”

“Why would he want to deceive you?” Mordeci asked.

“Ranan said they offered me a life of opulence if I would join their fight against the Acherons. I refused and attacked Ranan. However, it had been a trap all along. They took me, and a Faye, named Vispera, offered me one of two choices. Join them or they would use me to get Sylvana to do their bidding.”

“If you refused, how did you manage to escape through the veil?” Norix asked.

“I don’t have time to explain. We need to warn the rest, and I need to get to Sylvana before they do.”

“You have time now. Explain,” Mordeci demanded.

“Myrine, she showed me the way out,” he stated with a heavy heart.

“She is alive, then?” Mordeci asked. “Why didn’t she come with you?”

“She took her own life, but somehow—she—her spirit is alive,” Kadric tried to explain.

Riordan, Nicolai, and Kieran had been listening in on the entire conversation. “Kadric Orfaedo, this is quite the story,” Riordan said.

“Milord, I know it sounds like bullshit, but I can assure you it is the truth. Vispera is also alive and well, and she has ordered the invasion.”

“And what part of this does Ranan play?” Riordan asked.

“He has sworn his allegiance to them and has signed a treaty. The Lycans have sided with them.” Kadric could no longer ignore the unrelenting noise raging in the distance. “Have they invaded already?”

“Sylvana is missing, and we are looking for her. You said Ranan, do you know if he took her?” Riordan asked.

“Fucking hell! Tell me they don’t have her?” he rumbled.

---