Page 59 of Tangled Power
Carter’s mouth hung open as he watched the conversation. He must still be uncomfortable with such a casual exchange with Lord Arctos.
“Well, don’t leave us in suspense now,” Rose drawled.
The black bird peered down its beak at her, looking as imperious as an animal could.“Zrak is beyond the veil.”
Rose felt her lip curl up in a wry smile. “I think we knew that, actually. Though it’s good validation that you agree.” She winked at him.
Arie bristled, looking unconvinced that they might have solved this without him.“How?”
“Well…” Rose looked between Juliette and Carter, trying to decide whose secrets to spill first. Inspired by his patron’s appearance, Carter seemed inclined to his divulgence.
“I can see spirits.”
Juliette, more reluctantly, added her own confession. “I commune with Zrak. His artifact contains his blood, and I use it to strengthen him so that he may strengthen the Osten fae in return.”
Arie’s head swiveled between the two, unsure who to focus on.
“The key is both of these pieces of information together, though,” Rose said.
“Explain yourself.”
“Carter saw spirits gathering when the mist met us coming out of the woods south of Sandrin. He’s seen them every time the mist comes.” She glanced at Carter for his confirming nod. “But this time was heavier—there were more.” Her gaze moved to Juliette. “This was when you did the incomplete version of your ritual. I don’t think we can discount the fact that, though not complete, Zrak heard your call, and the Nebulus didn’tcome. Whatever your connection, it was strong enough to thin the veil between planes—at least momentarily—so he could hear you. But that also allowed spirits access to the continent from beyond.”
The Compass Points pondered this idea.
“The timing works out,” Luc added. “Does that mean Juliette’s act is what thins the veil?”
“I don’t think it’s the act so much as the connection to Zrak,” Rose said.
“The ritual calls him to me and strengthens his power. While he uses that to strengthen the Osten fae, he may also be using it to thin the veil and send the mist.” Juliette didn’t look happy as she said it. “Outside of the forest, that was the first time I did the ritual anywhere other than the caves.” She paused, considering. “Zrak said the caves already held a wild sort of magic, and that made our connection easier to maintain. I’m not attuned to the veil like Carter is. I’m not sure I would have come to that conclusion on my own.”
Arie swiveled to face Juliette, his head tilting as she spoke about wild magic. Then he turned back to Carter.“You’ve all been running around with these powers for years and not done anything with them?”he asked, incredulous.
“You are hardly one to talk, Arie.” Rose glared at him. “We spent ten years hiding on an island.”
“I see your point.”The bird nipped at his feathers as if he couldn’t be bothered to pay attention to this conversation any longer.
“Do you think we can get Zrak back?” Juliette asked.
Arie’s head tilted to the other side.“I don’t think it should be your primary concern. But yes, I do think it’s possible.”He changed the topic.“What were you all doing when I arrived? Why was Rose falling from the sky?”
“We were trying to use our elemental magics together—combining our power to deal with Aterra,” Juliette answered.
“Very good,”Arie said.
“But that’s what we’re supposed to do?” Rose pressed. “Merge our powers?”
“Only the Compass Points can decide how to complete their goal. You should continue on that path if you’ve found something that worked. Though, why were you falling?”
Rose looked to Luc, whose hand was rubbing over his face. “I think Rose found her way back into the core of my power. It may have given her too much too fast—again.”
“Luc.” Rose turned to face him, ensuring he made eye contact and acknowledged her words. “I reached for more power. I pulled—it only did what I asked.” Her words were firm. Direct. “This was my mistake, again.” She smirked as she echoed his words. “One of many I’m sure we’ll make as we figure this out. It had nothing to do with your power overwhelming me.”
Luc opened his mouth to respond as Arie cut him off.“Sounds like progress to me. What’s next?”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
After practicing, they went to the Vesten Library together, to do a bit more reading. In an unexpected show of unity, the Compass Points also had dinner together in the Vesten hall. Carter’s father, Gabriel, hosted them. He was so different from his son. He had a warm, welcoming persona. He had joined them in the afternoon, letting himself into their private library and making his own introductions. If Carter had feline aloofness, Gabriel had all the warmth and acceptance of a canine pack. And whether they liked it or not, he treated the visiting fae leaders as part of his pack—shepherding them off to dinner when he deemed they had worked too long.
