Page 68 of Veil of Shadows

I was glad for the subject change. Emotions were pounding through me, and my collar decided to emit tiny zaps every time I breathed, despite its relaxed state, so I was in no state to offer any intelligent comments.

Not long later, Bowan headed out to the Wood to take Alec’s place.

“Drink, Elowen?” Phillen asked after I continued to sit there silently.

“Please.” I willingly accepted another glass of leminai and allowed its warmth to numb my mind.

I was on my second glass when Alec returned.

Jax, sitting next to me on the couch, shot to standing. “Any sign of him?”

Alec’s lips thinned into a tight line. “No, I never saw Bastian, but there continue to be a lot of half-breeds here. Hundreds for sure, maybe even thousands.” Alec cocked his head, his light-brown eyes looking like caramel in the fairy lights as he droppedonto the couch with the rest of us. “A group of them went into the barn about an hour ago, although I didn’t recognize any of them. And that high up, I was able to see some of the competitors getting registered for tomorrow. Quite a few of them were half-breeds as well.” He frowned heavily.

“So more half-breeds but no sign of my brother.” Jax stabbed a hand through his hair.

Alec’s jaw tightened. “No, I never saw Bastian, but I heard other troubling news from Bowan. He said everyone almost got caught tonight.”

“We did. It was close,” Phillen agreed.

“Too close,” Lars replied quietly.

Jax tensed but nodded in agreement. “We’re going dark. No more raids for several months, not until Quinn’s able to find a way to explain what happened. So for now, we concentrate on finding Bastian and Bastian only. And back to my brother...You’re certain he wasn’t with any of the groups that you saw tonight?”

“I’m sure.” Alec scratched his chin. The movement sounded like sandpaper since stubble had formed along his jaw. “I have to say, I did see something very strange. I saw a new group of half-breeds go into the barn tonight, and they were all acting peculiar.”

My eyebrows slanted together, just as Jax’s did the same.

“How so?” I asked.

Alec cocked his head. “They moved in a single file line, and none of them spoke to one another. Nobody made any gestures. Even if they’ve gained employment to help with the Matches and were fatigued following a long day’s work, one would think that they’d at least speak to one another or move more casually, even if they were tired. But the way they were acting...” He made a disgruntled sound. “I don’t know exactly. It was just strange. That’s all I can say.”

All of the males eyed each other, and the frustration leaking from Jax’s aura grew.

The prince huffed. “We’ll continue keeping an eye on the barn for now. Tomorrow, we’ll go to the lake. There’s supposed to be several Finals on it.”

“And if we eventually find Bastian, and he says he wants to stay here, then what?” Lander asked, his look pensive.

Jax lifted his leminai to his lips. He took a sip of the green liquid, his throat rolling. But despite his bland expression, I could have sworn that hurt filled his eyes. “Then I’ll respect his wishes. If he chose to leave us, without a goodbye or an explanation, then he’s free to do so. I just want to make sure he’s all right.”

I nibbled on my lip. Once again, it was on the tip of my tongue to insist that I go to the Veiled Between. This was ridiculous. Five days had passed with nothing. The semelees could tell me exactly where Bastian was staying. And I still hadn’t tested my loosened collar, due to Jax’s insistence that I not even risk the chance of getting hurt.

Jax cut a sharp look my way, almost as if he knew what I was thinking. “No, Elowen.”

I angled more toward him. “But what if I don’t need your magic anymore? I could use another’s magic and do a calling for them. What if I can find Bastian without your magic hurting me? Why are you being so stubborn about this?”

Lander arched an eyebrow and gave Jax a curious look. “What did I miss?”

I sighed. “The prince is still refusing to let me do a calling for him or anyone else, even if I could find exactly where Bastian is by venturing to the Veiled Between. But we still don’t know if I can find him on my own without anyone’s magic. I haven’t ventured there since my collar’s been loosened.”

Alec cocked his head. “Ah, back to this.”

Jax’s nostrils flared. “With that collar in place, anything could happen to you.”

“But I’d survive,” I shot back. “I’ve nevernotsurvived a trip there.”

Phillen shifted his large body to face Jax more, then said in a hesitant voice. “You know, she’s right, Jax. It’s been nearly a week with no sign of him. Who’s to say Bastian is even still here? And if Elowen has a way to find him, don’t you think we should take her up on that offer?”

Trivan rolled his eyes and muttered under his breath, “Here we go...”

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