by Sela Croft
“From what you’ve just told us…I’d like to point out that the Fae must be involved,” Logan said.
Morrigan nodded. “That does make sense, all things considered.”
I wasn’t sure if we were any better off, having discovered that. The Fae had proven to be a formidable enemy to Shadowland. Their role in all that had transpired was more than Logan had previously been aware of. That couldn’t be good, not for my sister—or for any of us.
Chapter 9
Rosamon
My father continued to talk to me. I could hear him clearly. Maybe he could speak without the Fae guards being aware of it, because no one tried to stop us from conversing. He seemed intent on helping to improve my skill with magic and I was a willing protégé.
If I had any hope of escaping my prison, it would be through my newfound abilities. With my father’s guidance I discovered that each mirror was different and what the strengths of each was. It was quite intriguing, and I found that performing magic was a thrill.
Plus, I was good at it. That was a definite advantage. I began to like the mirrors, using them as my tool to access the outside world. Some of the mirrors were stronger than others and they had personalities, almost like people.
The mirrors were my personal army; they could serve me well, if I tapped into their uses.
My father shared what he knew. “The tallest mirror is the best to use for transporting your illusory self. And the round one gives you a peek into the future—not too much, but it is useful.”
I tried each thing he suggested, clumsily at first, but gradually improving my skill. Over the short time my father spent with me that day, I’d made enormous strides. With my confidence high, I continued to practice.
My father’s skill was impressive. He appeared to know much more than I would have guessed. Even from his cell, however far that was from mine, he seemed able to visualize what I was doing. His coaching was important to my speed of learning.
I didn’t stop to think that the prisoner leading me to develop my magical ability was my father. He didn’t act fatherly, but more authoritative. Since my goal was to muster all the magic I could, I didn’t mind. I was desperate to escape my prison and go home with Callie, if that proved possible.
One mirror operated as a window out to the realm, once I figured out how to utilize it. Swirling my hands in spheres before it, the pane changed, showing me different views each time.
The malevolent Fae world came into view. There was a lot of activity, so I looked around. I honed-in on various members of the race, who were engaged in discussions. Since they were in cavernous rooms behind locked doors or whispering to each other, I assumed the meetings were secret.
By tuning into the sound, I was able to discern the topics of discussion. Alarmingly, it had to do with their own royal court. Until then, I’d known very little about their governmental structure.
There was unrest among the Fae and dissension toward the existing ruler. Amalia wasn’t favored, as I might have thought. She seemed to be a target of hatred, which couldn’t bode well for her or her reign.
Raptly, I watched activity unfold. Much like watching a movie although it was very real, I witnessed violent acts. The rebellion wasn’t restricted to conversation but extended to horrendous acts. I saw an assassination with my own eyes without knowing the motivation for it.
I reversed the direction by swirling another way then Shadowland appeared in the glass. The situation there wasn’t any better. I zeroed in on a vampire council meeting, filled with shouting and infighting. There was no way to tell who was in control, if anyone was.
In the minutes I spent watching the vampire realm, it was clear that the government was divided. I didn’t see Logan, so was very curious. I discovered that I could rewind events, but not too far back. It was enough for me to learn that Logan was no longer the active ruler of his realm.
I turned away from the mirror to ponder what I’d learned. Both realms were in disarray with war raging. It almost seemed safer in prison. Yet Callie was out there, and I had no idea if she could get home without me. I doubted she would try, because she wouldn’t leave me behind.
It was quite the dilemma.
“We need to escape, as soon as we can manage it,” my father said.
“I don’t see what use escaping will be.” I scanned the mirrors, but no scene looked hopeful. “It’s a mess out there, with the war and all. Neither side is united in their efforts. I can only envision disaster.”
“We cannot sit and wait. It’s not safe here. We’re too vulnerable.” My father let that sink in. “The Fae have us imprisoned, and that is much more dangerous than facing what’s going on outside.”
There was no way to argue that. “You do have a point. I’d hoped to be rescued, but that hasn’t happened.”
“Together, we should be able to manage getting out of here,” my father said. “But you must realize that the instant we are out the Fae will be after us. The guards will attempt to track us down, so we must be prepared.”
“I agree, but the only weapon I have is my magic. Will I be able to wield my powers outside the prison, without the mirrors?”
My father seemed confident of our success. “I can guide you. Be aware that you are powerful, and with my assistance you will be even stronger.”
Before I could reply, a cloud of mist appeared in the back of the room. Then Noah stepped out. I hadn’t been so glad to see anyone in my life.
Noah opened his arms and I rushed to him. I felt such joy in our embrace that I didn’t want to let him go.
I looked in his deep copper eyes and was lost. His wide shoulders and athletic build took my breath away. I’d hidden my feelings for so long, but I couldn’t anymore. Our gazes locked, and his eyes glowed like fire. “I’d nearly given up on seeing you.”
Noah ran his fingertips through strands of my blond hair, then took my hand. “I had some difficulty getting here, but I vowed to find you and I have.”
I leaned closer and our lips touched. That first kiss was electrifying. After wanting Noah for so many years, I could finally release my emotion. “Noah…” He kissed me again with passion. My heart swelled, and I wrapped my arms around him.
The last time we’d been together, Noah had been there as his illusory self. This time, he was actually there and holding his warm body close to mine made my heart soar.
“We shouldn’t waste a second,” Noah said. “I’ll get you out of here and to a safe place.” He held my hand then mist formed around us.
But it evaporated. Noah tried again.
Yet he seemed unable to spirit me away, as intended. “What’s happening, Noah?”
His expression showed concern. “My ability seems to be blocked. It was fine when I arrived. I had no trouble getting in.”
My father’s voice startled me. “May I point out that the prison is built to keep people from leaving, not from entering.”
Noah glanced at me.
“Meet my father Bramwell Mayfair,” I said. “We’ve been talking, and he’s been teaching me how to use my magic.”
“Is there something you haven’t told me?”
I realized that I’d had so little time with Noah. “I thought maybe Callie talked to you. But our father isn’t dead. Apparently, he didn’t die in the car accident like we’d always thought.”
“He’s here?”
“Yes, I am here,” my father said, “in this very prison with Rosamon. She is imbued with my sorcerer blood, and I must say she has taken well to magic. But then I’m not surprised, since she is my daughter.”
I watched Noah absorb that last bit of news. “At this point, not much would amaze me. I’m just glad you’ve helped Rosamon develop her skill,” he said to my father. “Right now, we need to figure out a way to escape.”
“That’s what I’d just been discussing with Rosamon,” my father said.
It occurred to me that, despite my father’s brash advice to escape without delay, he might not have an
y idea how to do that. I certainly didn’t. It looked like I was trapped there with my father. And Noah was too. My heart sank but I refused to cry.
Chapter 10
Logan
Morrigan hadn’t kicked us out, despite the trauma of the trip to the prison. I had to find out as much as I could, while I had the chance. “It would be good to know more about the Fae.”
I thought that was a gentle approach. The sorceress didn’t like to be bullied. If I didn’t press, she might acquiesce and offer more intelligence about my enemies.
Morrigan leaned back in her chair but didn’t say a word.
“You’ve helped us, already. What can it hurt to share what you know?” I took Callie’s hand to reassure her that I could handle the sorceress.
“I’m not certain you want to know,” Morrigan said. “Or that you should know.”
“I asked, so that burden is on me.”
Tension filled the room; maybe no further help was forthcoming.
“The situation in the Fae land is dire,” Morrigan said.
I held my breath, willing her to continue.
“The rumbles of dissention in Fae territory have turned into rebellion.” Morrigan furrowed her brow. “King Jabari is ill. He might be dying.”
That was a huge turn of events.
“Jabari will soon announce his heir. Amalia is in line for the title. But many in the realm disagree that she is fit to rule.”
I dared not interrupt.
Morrigan shook her head. “Matters have gotten out of control. Factions that wish to push their own candidate into the limelight are ruthless. Assassinating competitors isn’t beyond them. It’s already been done.”
Callie appeared shocked and I couldn’t blame her. Such upheaval was difficult to fathom.
“You see that disaster looms,” Morrigan said. “There can be no good end to anarchy.”
“I had no clue that the power structure of the Fae was unstable,” I said. “I understood that the ruler’s roles were preset and eternal.”
“That isn’t so,” Morrigan said. “The future isn’t predetermined. Jabari has lost control of his subjects, and it’s doubtful whether Amalia can subdue the rebellion—even if she succeeds in taking the throne.”
I stared at the sorceress. “What’s behind it all? Who are the dissenters? There must be motivation for the lawless acts.”
“I have been watching, but there are too many secrets. Much happens beyond what I’m able to view.” Morrigan put her hands on the table then leaned forward. “I have told you all I know. If you want more, you’ll have to seek another source.”
That was disheartening. I didn’t know a better source than the sorceress. She seemed to have an uncanny ability to discern what was going on in the realms. “But surely you must have a source of information,” I said, “a way to gain more knowledge of what’s transpiring.”
“The black birds who migrate between the realms tell me what’s going on, in places they’ve been. I have no more information besides what they tell me. And I’ve shared that with you.”
Pressing Morrigan would do no good; she’d told me all that she could. I was at a dead end, left with insufficient understanding of what I faced. I needed more if I hoped to usher Callie to her sister and ensure that both got safely away.
Callie slumped in her chair and closed her eyes. Alarmed, I put my arm around her to nestle her head against my chest. She was unconscious.
Franticly I tried to arouse her, but it was of no use. If her mind had slipped back into the Fae realm, there was a chance I wouldn’t be able to recover her. Morrigan wasn’t with her, so alone she might be doomed.
I looked at Morrigan “What’s happening? What’s wrong with Callie?”
The sorceress was calm. “She is just resting. There’s no need to worry; she’ll be fine.” She turned her attention to me. “We need to have a talk, Logan.”
“About what?”
“About your realm,” Morrigan said. She retrieved the globe from the side table and placed it before me. Before the glass had appeared clear, but this time scenes came into focus.
“You need to see what’s going on in your absence.” Morrigan chanted at the globe and visions shifted from one to the other. I realized she was showing me actual events that had occurred in Shadowland, including my abdication from the throne.
The current situation wasn’t good. Strife and dissension ruled the day. Battles raged on, and casualties were many. The vampire troops fought valiantly, and the dragon fleets attacked with ferocity.
Yet the battles had escalated and showed no signs of abating. The humans expressed resentment toward the vampire race, even when Valter saved their village from being wiped out. I could read my brother well, and he was disheartened at the lack of gratitude.
It was no better within the royal family. I watched a meeting with Natasha, Florian, and Valter. Instead of uniting to stabilize the realm, my siblings argued, unable to agree on how to run the kingdom. The most alarming news was that Valter pushed for an offensive against the Fae, an attack of a magnitude greater than any so far.
Since I wasn’t the ruler of the kingdom, I had no say in how it was run. Yet the progression since I’d left wasn’t encouraging. I was far from Shadowland, so wasn’t equipped to take any action.
The images in the globe vanished. “I knew your father well, when he was king,” Morrigan said. “He named you as leader of the realm, because you have qualities that your siblings don’t. And what’s going on in your absence is evidence of that.
“Cedric made a wise decision to put you in charge. I’m not saying that as flattery. I’ve observed much, over the centuries. It takes certain traits to be a good ruler. You are one of the rare ones with such attributes.”
Morrigan walked over to the window then turned to look at me. I anticipated what she was going to say, before she uttered the words. “Whatever is shaking up the Fae realm is bad. Destiny is uncertain. The future is unknown. Your kingdom needs you more than ever.”
“I relinquished my right to rule,” I said. “My duty is to Callie. Until the mystery surrounding her is resolved, I’m not able to lead my realm. I have promised to help in her quest to rescue her sister and I intend to keep my word.”
I held Callie against me. She seemed to be resting peacefully, although I was concerned. Morrigan’s assurance that she was fine hadn’t given me confidence. So much was uncertain; I needed to know that Callie was okay. I disliked having her outside my reach.
Chapter 11
Logan
Morrigan’s eyes met mine. “I must say, Logan, I’m impressed that you gave up your throne for love.”
That came as a surprise. I hadn’t thought the sorceress was sentimental.
“But I must warn you that choosing love comes with a cost,” Morrigan said. “You can’t walk away from your duty and not expect to suffer the consequences.”
The sorceress proceeded to caution me against sticking with my decision to go with Callie. Like a mother, if a supernatural one, she seemed worried for my future. But I sensed that it wasn’t only mine she had concern for.
Whatever paths were chosen in this volatile period would affect how events unraveled. Fate was often blamed for the infinite twists and turns of life. Yet choices were made that affected the realms’ eternity.
“I have spoken with Natasha. She won’t tell me what she sees in the future, but I can deduce that it is similar to what you’re predicting.” I was tiring of defending myself. “I care about my kingdom, whether it appears so to others or not.”
“I’ll take your word for that.”
Morrigan watched me. I stroked Callie’s hair, willing her to wake up. My attention was as much on her as it was on the banter with the sorceress. “I agonized over the situation, considered all the facts. I was torn and didn’t act without forethought.”
I looked up at Morrigan, noting the lack of sympathy in her expression. “But…in the end, I went with my heart.”
There seemed to be no support of my decision. Morrigan was quiet for a moment, so I focused on Callie, reassured by her steady breathing. I didn’t need the approval of the sorceress, no matter how long she’d known me. I made my own choices and stuck by them.
“Ah, Logan, I wish you were younger. You are no longer the seventeen-year old boy that you were when transformed into a vampire. You are a man with his own convictions,” Morrigan said.
The sorceress talked of earlier times and I grew ever more impatient.
“Back then, you were so much younger and malleable. You listened to me, paid heed to my advice.” Morrigan shook her head. “No longer. You are difficult, Logan. And I fear that you are getting yourself, and those who rely on you, into deeper and deeper trouble.”
“Enough of the lecturing,” I said. “I see what you’re doing and it won’t work.”
Morrigan raised her brows. “And what is that?”
“You’re trying to distract me.” I stared at her, done with her games. “You can provide a way for me to travel to the prison with Callie. I’ve listened to your warnings. Yet there is only one path ahead, and that is to rescue Rosamon.”
“Yes, I do know a way to get you to the prison with Callie. But…only if you pay my price.”
So that was it: the sorceress would assist us for her own gain. I should have known. But I needed transport, and there was no other alternative. “Okay, name your price.”
Morrigan stepped close, then leaned down to whisper in my ear. I listened to her request, then looked up at her. I was shocked but what else could I do? “You ask a lot, but…I agree. If you provide a way for us to get to the prison, I will pay your price.”
Callie stirred then opened her eyes. “I must have fallen asleep.”
“How are you feeling?” I said.
“I feel refreshed.” Callie narrowed her eyes at Morrigan. “Did you give me something to put me to sleep?”
“It was just a sleeping spell,” Morrigan said. “I had business to go over with Logan.”
“What have I missed?” Callie said.
