Page 66 of Riot of Autumn

“So, what is this need for us to form an Axis? Anthony’s been trying for the last twenty-seven years or so? Also, if the Fae are using their soul sucking powers, why has Anthony been aging?” Archer asks.

“An Axis is a powerful tool. It is rare for a true Axis to form with bonded members finding each other. Your magic is meant to be shared, and that makes your power nearly endless. The Axis has the power to pull down the veil without resorting to the blood sacrifices that the Queen has been using. And if I had to guess about Anthony’s aging, it’s because he didn’t have access to strong Fae magic. Humans have some innate magic, but not enough to warp his own powers to the extent of the Duke or the Queen.”

“Why does it warp their powers?” Lena asks, always the diligent student.

“The magic doesn’t belong to them. It’s…” Emric pauses like he’s struggling to think of a way to explain this to us. “It’s an ill-fitting coat that they’ve stolen from someone else. The magic is tainted the moment they take it and when it meets their inherent powers, it changes the very makeup of their abilities. Turns it into something dark and unnatural.”

“So why the hell are they trying to kill us? Especially if they need us to be their magical puppets to pull down the veil?” Ruby doesn’t raise her eyes, staring down at Axil as she strokes his head.

Zara shakes her head, a heartbroken look on her face. “I don’t understand, either. All I can think of is that Colton has never been great at following orders. He’s like a petulant child who throws a tantrum when he doesn’t get his way.”

“I’m going to kill him.” The threat rumbles in my chest, and my beast is practically clawing at my insides. It wants me to shift, to tear up the distance between me and that piece of shit and rip his body into strips while he begs for death.

Ruby looks over at me, her lips parted as some of the heartbreak lifts from her eyes.

“I don’t think they’ve been trying to kill you. I believe they’re trying to frighten you into completing the bond.” Emric’s eyes drift over to me and Ruby once again. “If the two of you bond, then the Axis will be complete.”

“If the Axis has the power to bring down the veil, which is exactly what they want, then why would we? We’d be playing right into their hands?” Ruby grits out.

Emric gives her a sad smile. “The Queen is escalating. She used to send Fae through the veil on occasion, but lately, it’s been every holy day. She wants the wall between our worlds down.”

“Which, again, begs the question, why would we bond?” I ask.

“Because it’s the only way to get them sent back to Fairy and ultimately stop the Queen.”

Something else occurs to me and I narrow my eyes. “How do you know that Ruby and I aren’t bonded?”

It’s not that I don’t trust this guy, but I don’t want to be naïve.

“Because I’ve been spying on the others. Trying to figure out what their plans are. They’ve mentioned how the two of you haven’t bonded many times.” Emric answers without hesitation.

“And how exactly did you get here?” It’s Lena’s turn to narrow her eyes, but Emric simply nods as though he’s glad we’re asking these questions.

“I’ve been watching the Summer Court for a long time. I was there the night the Duke came through and I followed him.”

“And he didn’t see you?” Rhys hums thoughtfully, but his face doesn’t give away what he’s thinking.

“I used my elemental powers to create a deluge of rain. He couldn’t see beyond the end of his nose.” Emric doesn’t seem phased by our rapid-fire questions. Which is either reassuring or means he’s rehearsed his answers.

“If we form an Axis, we’d be strong enough to fight them, right? Or send them back to Fairy?” Rhys says.

“Or we’d have enough power for them to manipulate us into dragging the veil down and screwing over all humankind.” Davis grumbles.

“We should probably talk about what happened at Puck’s tonight as well,” Rhys says with reluctance, giving Zara a chagrined look.

“What else happened?” Miri pinches her nose and closes her eyes, summing up how we’re all feeling right now.

“I’m pretty sure Zara had a premonition,” Rhys says.

Zara’s brows furrow. “When I told Ruby to get to her house?”

“Don’t you remember what you said before that?” I lean forward a little, wondering if she really did spew some prophetic shit tonight.

Zara licks her lips, then gnaws nervously on the bottom one. “I remember feeling the urgency that Ruby needed to get home, but that’s all.”

“You said something, like a little riddle.” Ruby’s attention is on her sister, sharing a similar look of confusion. “Something about um…” She tilts her head back to look at me, silently asking if I remember.

“A shrinking window and needing to guard our fears and minds. Something about our weaknesses being our strengths.” I piece it together as best as I can recall. Rhys nods his head as though that’s what he remembers as well.

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