Page 66 of Veil of Shadows

“All right.” Jax took a deep breath, and magic speared the air. “Did anyone in this room tell the king or kingsfae where we would be tonight?”

Potent, fiery power spiraled into me, and my lips moved of their own accord before I could even consider what was happening. “No.”

“No.”

“No.”

One by one, everyone replied, and each fairy had the same answer. No.

“Has anyone betrayed our identities or whereabouts to anyone outside of our group?”

Another resounding round ofNoscame through the room.

Satisfied, Jax calmed his magic.

Phillen slugged Trivan in the shoulder as soon as everyone was free of Jax’s magical grip. “See, you big louse. Nobody here’s a traitor, not even Elowen. I knew my wife was right about her.”

Trivan’s attention slid my way, and perhaps he felt the pain ripping through my aura, or perhaps he cowed because of Jax’s menacing expression, but he finally dipped his head and had the decency to look sheepish. “All right, fine. But she knew where we were tonight. How could I not wonder?”

The prince stepped closer to me, and it almost felt as though he was shielding me from any further suspicions, not that anyone could suspect me after being subjected to Jax’s magic.

Fingers tapping against his thigh, Jax said, “Until we figure out how the king learned of our whereabouts, wewon’tbe attempting a raid again unless we’re certain it’s safe. Now, what does everyone know?”

They all sat in a circle around the table, regularly passing the bottle of leminai around. And whatever bad feelings had sprouted between Jax and Trivan melted away as the alcohol flowed.

The seven of them huddled together, their conversation moving rapid fire. Tentatively, I sat beside Bowan, and when none of them tried to hide anything they were discussing from me, it struck me that they obviously trusted me enough now to speak freely, even if Trivan had momentarily doubted me.

The hurt I’d initially felt about that lessened the initial sting.

Jax finally leaned back from the group and stated, “You know the drill now. Lay low. We go dark. We won’t be able to provide anything for the poor for several months. Not until we learn more about how the king knew of our whereabouts. Quinn?” He glanced at the newest male. “I’ll need your ears everywhere.”

Quinn nodded solemnly, then dipped his head at me. “By the way, I’m in your debt, Elowen. You stopped all of us from being caught tonight.”

“We’re all in your debt,” Bowan agreed, and a small smile emerged on his face.

Phillen cocked his head. “How did you reach us so fast anyway? I never asked.”

I shrugged and gestured to the jar Quinn had brought. “I stole one of those portal keys.”

Trivan laughed, seemingly completely over his earlier suspicions of me. “A criminal in the making. How fitting.”

“How did you know how to use it?” Lars asked, the redhead’s question almost sounding shy.

I raised my shoulders again. “I paid attention when Quinn used his. I remembered what he said.”

Bowan laughed. “Definitelya criminal in the making.”

Trivan cocked an eyebrow. “That takes balls, Elowen. I have to say, I think I really like you, even if I thought the worst of you an hour ago.”

But Jax scowled at me. “I don’t want you risking yourself for us again.”

I arched an eyebrow. “I’m in this up to my neck at this point. I figure I’m either all in, or I’m not.”

Phillen stroked his beard, nodding. Some of the panic he’d emitted earlier had lessened, and he was now looking at me with pride in his eyes. “Saramel said she had a good feeling about you, and my wife is rarely wrong.”

Bowan snorted. “Saramel’s always had you wrapped around her little finger, Phil, but she’s right. You get my vote, too, Elowen.” He clapped me on the shoulder, and his hand was so heavy that I nearly fell forward in my seat.

“Stars, sorry about that,” he said gruffly, and then he tried to straighten me, which got even more awkward.

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