Page 10 of Tangled Power
“It is technically accounted for in the second part of the test,” Samuel said, stepping back in.
“And you say Rose already passed the test,” Luc pressed.
“Yes.” Samuel had, interestingly enough, joined team Rose. She wasn’t sure what to make of that.
How had Samuel let Aiden claim to have passed the test? It was a surprise to see him today, because she thought him dead. She assumed him to be a casualty of Aiden’s deadly ambition. Or was it Aterra’s? Not knowing who controlled Aiden’s actions still stung.
“It’s complicated, Rose, but I do owe you an answer,” Samuel said, as if able to see the questions cross her face. “I don’t askforgiveness for my actions but seek to explain them.” He paused. “Maybe to give you a warning to not repeat my mistakes.”
Meg’s lips pursed, and Catherine rolled her eyes as if she knew that Samuel’s explanation would ruin any chances they had to contest Rose’s claim.
Rose crossed her arms over her chest and waited for him to continue.
“Aiden did take the test, like all Norden. Though I can’t quite see it, I am sure his power was mediocre. At least, that was my expectation of him, having seen his magic as a child.”
“What do you mean you can’t see it?” Rose couldn’t help herself. The elder had piqued her interest already. She didn’t miss the other Compass Points leaning forward too, listening intently to his story.
“There is a shadow over those specific memories,” Samuel said. “A fog that obscures what actually happened and leaves me with a result that, until recently, I believed.”
“Explain,” she said. “And do it quickly.” Luc nodded as he continued to tamp down his power.
“I’m trying, Rose.” Her name was like a plea as he twisted his hands together, considering his next words. “Are you familiar with Aterra’s artifact?”
Her eyes widened, unable to mask her surprise. This was taking a turn. “What?” Rose asked.
She glanced at Luc, feeling his magic flare. He’d lost his internal struggle, and his eyes flashed red at the elder’s words. A smile curled her lip at the accuracy of her guess on how long he’d hold it in.
“Each of the gods left an artifact for their court. A second gift, along with the elemental magic they granted,” Samuel said.
Rose sensed the dagger she had hidden in her boot. She had hoped she wouldn’t need to use it to claim her seat. Her actions at the Refilling Ceremony should have been proof enough. Sheshrugged. Her words were casual as she replied, “Yes, I’m aware.”
“The Norden have never understood the other fae court’s artifacts. However, there were enough rumors, especially at the creation of the courts, about the power of Aterra’s ring,” Samuel added. His tone was dry, giving no indication he knew his words made Rose’s heart race.
Her body went rigid as she waited for more information. The steady weight of Luc’s hand found itself on her lower back again.
“It was said to be shaped like a mountain, with an onyx gem placed inside the triangle peak.” Rose let her eyes close for just a moment as she pictured where she’d seen that exact ring before. Samuel continued. “The bigger danger is the needle said to snap out of the tip, on the Suden Point’s command.”
A memory flashed to the fore of her thoughts: The Solstice Ball. Aiden stabbing Luc with his ring.
“We think that if the needle point pierces the skin, it can produce the rumored mind shadow of the Suden.” Samuel paused, studying Rose’s features. “I see you might already be familiar with the artifact and the power.”
Rose stilled. She wouldn’t betray Luc’s secret—that he wielded mind shadow—but admitting Aiden was wearing the ring didn’t seem risky. That was where this conversation had to be going. She nodded. She felt Carter and Juliette’s eyes on her as she continued to stare at the Norden elder.
“I won’t belabor the details of the power, but my memories of Aiden’s test were taken and replaced with those of him passing,” Samuel concluded.
Mind shadow was known to cover memories, and she knew from Luc it could also share them. But she hadn’t realized it could replace memories with new ones. She must have said as much aloud.
“The memory replacement isn’t clean. It’s fuzzy for me. I can tell the memory has been tampered with, but it’s enough to force the change the wielder wants, especially in the moment. I believe I was struck with the needle when Aiden wanted me to declare him the future Norden Point. In that moment, I sensed he had passed the test. It wasn’t until later that I realized it might not be true.”
“But you still remember that I passed?” Rose asked.
“Yes, he either wasn’t able or didn’t think to remove that memory.” The elder shrugged. “Maybe he didn’t think it would matter since he assumed you dead.”
It made sense. But Rose was no longer thinking about what Aiden and Aterra had done to the Norden elder. She was more focused on what Aterra had been trying to accomplish when he stabbed Luc with the needle a few days ago. It was meant for her. What memories had he been trying to replace? And what would it have done to Luc if Arie hadn’t been there to help?
“I appreciate the information,” Rose said. She wouldn’t thank him. He said the memory was fuzzy, which meant, at some point, he knew it was wrong. Yet he still did nothing about it until she made her claim known. He may have helped her move things along with the elders today. He may even be trying to do the right thing now by sharing this information, but she couldn’t so easily forgive that he’d let an imposter sit as Norden Point for ten years. The damage was done—to her, her family, and the continent.
She reined in her thoughts as she again registered the Norden fae on the hill before her—her court. She turned to Juliette. “Let it down.”
