Without warning, black mist exploded from Raf, settling over me like a thick blanket. I shifted in the saddle, preparing to run as the smoke twisted and stretched. It was reshaping itself into a semi-opaque bubble, with us at the center of it. A shield, I realized—so we could talk privately.
Raf’s eyes darkened as they met mine. “My father used to say that the most powerful faeries were chosen for a higher purpose—that it’s our duty to protect the vulnerable.”
I scoffed. “A nice sentiment, but there seem to be plenty of powerful faeries that disagree with it.”
“Yes. But their magic is stolen from human blood.Oursbeats within us. Whether you believe it or not,you’revery powerful. You owe us nothing, but—”
“But… you need my help overthrowing your evil stepmother and her council?”
Raf huffed a laugh. “Yes. I’ll cut to the chase. We need your help. You’re the best chance we have.”
“Then your chances aren’t great,” I sighed. “Tell me what it is that you want, then I’ll decide if I can help. I dowantto help, for what that’s worth.”
“It’s wortheverything,” he said with complete sincerity. “Louis and I have been spying on the Elders since my father died, but it was a brothel worker that proved to be the most proficient spy, she—”
I interjected haughtily. “Why am I not surprised that you’ve found a way to utilizeprostitutesin your attempt to overthrow the Kingdom?” I’d only meant to tease, but it had come out sounding judgmental.
His eyes sparked with heat. “Here I am, trying to save the world… and you cut me down before I’ve even begun. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were jealous of my friends at the Siren Inn.”
I scowled. “They can have you. You’re just like every other strutting peacock I’ve ever met. All cock and tail feathers—zero substance. That is to say… you’renotmy type—which I believe I’ve already told you.”
Raf’s gaze darkened. “All cock, am I? I suppose you’re not the first to tell me that.”
“Of coursethat’s what you took from that. Point proven.” I rolled my eyes.
“You proved nothing, except that you think about my…assetsin your spare time. So tell me, freckles… Why can’t I spendmyspare time ata brothel? Does the Princess think herself above the common folk? Some women have toworkto survive, you know.”
He thought I was a spoiled brat.Let him think what he wanted.When I learned how to throw a punch, he was going to be my first target.
“It’s not theworkersI find vile,” I said frostily.
Raf gave a low laugh and rolled his shoulders once… twice… like I’d gotten under his skin.Good.
“As I was saying…” He glared. “I was tipped off by one of the workers at the Siren Inn. She learned from a reputable source that the Elders are behind the systematic kidnappings that have been happening across our lands. Hundreds of humans have gone missing over the last year. It has caused widespread panic, resulting in an increase in violence… murder. While the Elders have made it abundantly clear that they don’t respect human life, it’s still a new low for them—taking magic from their own people. The faeriesneedhumans. The shortage is causing hysteria—famine in some areas, infertility, feuds between families…”
“Why would they try to create civil unrest? How would that benefit them?” I asked.
“Power and control, I assume. It’s easier to control people who are scared.”
The missing humans that Lusha had mentioned… the Elders were responsible? TheKingdomwas responsible? The irritation I’d been feeling for Raf disappeared as overwhelmingfurytook hold.
My lip curled as I said, “Sylvia has to go.”
“That she does. As do her henchmen.”
“Do you think the people they kidnapped are still alive somewhere?”
“We’re hopeful that they’re being held captive. Most likely, they're being bled and kept for the Kingdom’s personal magic supply. We’ve been searching all over the continent for them, but so far we’ve had no luck.”
“But how can I help?”
“We need you to open a portal to Erador, when you’re ready… and let a select few of us through. If the Elders manage to hoard all of the magic, then faeries will be completely at their mercy. We have to break the blood curse—it’s the only way we can take back power.”
My heart skipped. They had too much faith in me. I could barely wield magic. I’d just let them down. “I-I don’t know that I’ll ever be capable of opening a portal...” I choked out. “What if I can’t?”
“You won’t know until you try. You aren’t in this alone. You have me… and Louis.”
My stomach twisted. Iwasalone. I had been for a long while. “We have to find and rescue the abducted humans, then take them back with us. I won’t leave them to be drained and discarded.”
