Page 60 of Veil of Shadows

The other kingsfae spat on the ground. “Getting off easy like that just because of family ties is a load of domal dung in my opinion.”

“Aye, you and me both agree on that.”

I finally started to relax. It sounded as though they were discussing criminals who had recently been apprehended. Nothing more. The two didn’t even know I was there as they carried on with their mundane discussion about recent arrests. It was as though they were merely passing the time until their shifts ended.

Considering this area of the capital usually saw little criminal activity, I couldn’t blame them for spending the remainder of their worktime enjoying the fountains while they chatted.

Settling back, I allowed my attention to drift again. The stars had truly begun to shine, and Jeulic’s pulsing aura lit up around it. It was still visible in the night sky, and near the horizon, the faint glow of another planet that hadn’t been in the sky in the previous weeks began to pulse. My smile grew as the tiny speck of Daphnis’s aura shone faintly.

But just as true relaxation began to seep into my pores, two words caught my attention, snapping my attention entirely away from the distant planet.

“What?” one hissed. “Did you just hear that? The Dark Raider’s seasons on the run is likely coming to an end tonight.”

The other brought a hand to his ear. “I thought I was hearing things.”

I stiffened, and magic instantly buzzed through my system, creating the slightest sting along my neck. But I hastily checked my illusion to ensure it was still intact and then subtly used my loosened magic to amplify the sounds around me.

Both kingsfae hunched forward, fingers pressing to their ears. It was only then I realized they wore tiny devices inserted into their ear canals, and whatever they were listening to waslikely being communicated to them by other kingsfae at this very second.

Eyes widening, they turned to one another, and their voices dropped to a whisper. They spoke so quietly that if not for my loosened collar, I never would have heard them.

“It can’t be,” the first said. “They know where the Dark Raider will be tonight? How in the realm do you suppose they know that? He’s been eluding us for full seasons.”

“I don’t know, but sounds like it was a direct order from King Paevin. And he’s calling for all kingsfae in the area closest to Possyrose Forest to take action.”

“But how would the king know?”

The second shrugged. “No idea, but I’m sure the Raider’s arrest would beat this.” The kingsfae scoffed and gestured to the quiet fountains. “Of course, the one night I’m not on patrol in the Wood is when the biggest arrest of the century is about to happen.”

My heart felt as though it’d stopped.Oh, stars and galaxy.

As discreetly as possible, I stood from the bench and began weaving my way through the small crowd mingling around the fountain. I moved carefully, so as not to bump anyone and alert the kingsfae to their lapse in security.

But the second I was out of the kingsfae’s sight, I sprinted.

Wind blew over my cheeks as I made my way as fast as I could back to the inn.

No, no, no.Jax couldn’t be caught. None of them could be. My heart twisted when I remembered Saramel, and Phillen’s young son, Cassim. Jax’s entire band would be executed if the kingsfae apprehended them. Not even Jax’s noble status would save them, even if it went down as the scandal of the century.

I had to get to him. Somehow, I had to warn him.But how?

The solution hit me the moment I careened around the corner. I would have to use one of those keys that Quinn had snagged from the Lochen king.

It was the only way I would get there in time.

CHAPTER 18

I was breathless by the time I reached the inn, but I didn’t stop. I shed my illusion the second nobody was looking, then I sprinted up the stairs two at a time, darting down the hall and into Jax’s private suite at breakneck speed.

And once I was in his chambers, I nearly collided with the wall since I ran so fast to the jar that Quinn had produced earlier and left behind.

I fumbled with it, knocking it over in my haste to collect a key. The jar clunked to the side, thankfully not shattering, but a waterfall of keys spilled over the table’s edge and scattered all over the floor, going everywhere.

“Shite!” Fingers shaking, I crouched and snatched a single key off the floor, not bothering to pick up the rest.

Slow your breathing, Elowen. Don’t panic. If you mess this up, Jax and all of his friends are dead.

I sagged against the wall, clutching the key to my chest as I heaved in shallow gulps. I just thanked the galaxy I’d been paying attention when they’d all left. The words I’d heard Quinn use to activate this peculiar magic flowed out of my lips as I concentrated completely on where I wanted to go.

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