Page 64 of Veil of Shadows

They quickly fell into discussion about how their planned raid could have been leaked, or if one of them could have made a mistake unknowingly, allowing someone to overhear them.

At one point, Lander pulled a bottle of leminai out from one of the side cupboards and poured drinks for everyone. Given the trembling hands that took them, I knew they were as shaken as me at what had almost occurred.

But when nobody asked of Jax, not once, I finally threw my hands up. “Aren’t any of you worried about him?”

Frowning, Lander poured a glass of bright-green liquid for me and forced it into my hand. “Drink this, Elowen. It’ll help calm your nerves.”

I drank it all in one swallow, but despite its potent effect, I began to pace. I moved back and forth, back and forth. At least half an hour went by as the others drank and spoke in murmured tones about the absolute strangeness of what had just occurred in Possyrose Forest. A few times, Trivan glanced up at me, his gaze suspicious, his aura questioning. I had no idea if Trivan suspected it was me who had ratted them out to the kingsfae, but from his growing distrust I suspected he might.

“You’re going to wear a path into the floor,” Bowan finally called with a forced smile on his face. “Sit and have another drink, Elowen.”

“I can’t. I don’t know how all of you can pretend to be so relaxed when?—”

A flash of magic came from beside me, and the prince appeared.

“Jax!” I nearly choked.

He appeared from out of nowhere. Obviously, he’d had a backup portal key with him, and the second he was solid and whole, I almost flung my arms around him. Almost. Somehow, I stopped myself before the urge overtook me.

Jax, however, roughly ripped his mask off, then grabbed a hold of my shoulders. His aura pounded through the room, making me flinch. Sizzling blue irises met mine. “You’re okay?”

All I could do was nod.

A look of relief filled his face, and amazement filled his aura. “How, Elowen?Howdid you know they would be there?”

Tremors wracked my frame. Now that Jax was here and safe, the buzzing energy that had been cascading through me began to fade. Shivers took its place. “I...I heard two kingsfae talking near the fountains. It was pure luck that I did. They knew you were going to be in Possyrose Forest tonight and finally be caught. They said thekinghad known.”

He scrubbed a hand over his face. “How in the realm did the king know?”

The troubled expressions on all of his friends grew.

“Anyone have any ideas?” Jax bit out.

One by one, they all shook their heads, but Trivan cast me another scathing glare.

“What did you find from tracking them?” Lander asked, his eyes narrowing. “Anything?”

Jax raked a hand through his hair, finally letting go of me completely. “No. The kingsfae were entirely silent as they traveled with the shipment since that potion clouded them. I followed for a bit, but when it became obvious I wasn’t going to hear anything they said, I came back.” He turned seething eyes on Bowan and Lander. “Where did you get the information about the shipment?”

“I...” Bowan gulped, his throat working. He shoved both hands into his hair. “A fae in Jaggedston was talking about it at Wolfbane Salopas. Do you think we were set up? Do you think he knows I’m a raider? Shite, shite, shite.”

“Exactly,” Jax snarled. “Andthisis why I don’t like last-minute raids. That information was not vetted enough.”

Trivan scowled. “But how didKing Paevinknow? That lazy arsehole is always the last to know of anything we do, unless someone he knows told him.” His gaze slid to me again.

My lips parted, his accusation making a rush of pain fire through me. “It wasn’t me.”

“Trivan,” Jax growled. “Elowen wouldn’t do that. The truth of the matter is that we were too eager. Weshouldn’thave gone tonight.”

“Do you really think Elowen’s behind this?” Lander’s eyebrows slanted together as he assessed Trivan. “Wouldn’t spies be more likely? She didn’t even know we were going there until a few hours ago.”

Trivan shrugged. “A few hours is all that’s needed to alert the kingsfae.”

Jax growled again and said in a warning tone, “Trivan...”

Phillen scoffed, coming to my aid too. “Elowen warned us about them. Didn’t she? Why would she have been the one to give up our location when she ultimately saved us?”

“To gain our trust?” Trivan replied. “So she could trick us again in the future.”

---