Page 77 of Bound Paths
Rose was afraid she knew part of the answer. It was the only logical one, given everything they knew about balance in a realm and what it required. Zrak wanted to leave, but he was filling the role of shepherding spirits beyond the veil now. A veil cat, or veil cat shifter, was most adept at this role. The only question was, why not let her host of veil cats take over again? And if, as Rose suspected, she waited for a veil cat shifter from the continent, what did Cassandra need from the shifter, and how long could she afford to hold out for one?
“Doyou know what you’re doing?” Rose tried again as she and Carter entered the Burning Garden on Vesten Property. She may be frustrated, but she took the time to appreciate the orange, red, and yellow blooms. After Carter had read the new journal entries, his mind was made up. Like Rose, he believed Cassandra needed a veil cat shifter from the continent.
Carter gave her the glare her comment deserved and closed the metal garden gate behind them.
It was a fair reaction. Rose’s interpretation was the same as his, but she didn’t agree with him walking up to Cassandra to tell her what he was and offering his services in exchange for Luc and Zrak. Rose shook her head as she followed him to the willow tree.
They hadn’t been able to change his mind. He was set on traveling beyond the veil and walking right up to Cassandra.
“What if she takes the whole fight-first approach again?”
“We agreed. If that happens, I’ll shift. It should catch her attention.” Carter ran his hand through his shaggy brown hair. “I felt the onslaught of magic last time as much—maybe more—than you did. I know what she’s capable of, but I’m sure of whatshe needs.” He sighed heavily. “You are, too. We’ve been over this. I need you to trust me.”
Rose sighed. “I do, Carter. I hope you know that. I just don’t want you to feel an undue burden here. We might agree she needs a veil cat shifter for something, but that doesn’t mean it has to be you. It doesn’t mean you revealing yourself is the way to find out what she needs one for is for either.”
Carter’s answering sigh was heavier than Rose’s. He was right. They had been through this before—at length in the Norden library. After their initial discussion, Arie flew to Osten and Vesten houses to retrieve the Compass Points. Everyone agreed with Rose’s conclusion. Zrak was waiting for a veil cat shifter to take his place, shepherding spirits beyond the veil. Rose suspected Cassandra needed the shifter for more than just Zrak’s replacement though.
“It’s my turn to shoulder something for the continent. Juliette has been sustaining her people for hundreds of years. You unmasked an imposter within the Compass Points and tracked down a rogue god. I haven’t had anything to give yet. This is my thing. I get to decide how it unfolds.”
Rose understood that sentiment. It was the same way she felt when they were trying to learn how their magic worked together. Evaluation of power and weapons-making were her things. She’d felt the weight of the continent on her shoulder as she’d tried to find a way for them all to work together.
“Just know you don’t have to do it alone,” Rose said. It was the one piece of advice she could offer.
They may still not know what Cassandra needed a veil cat shifter for—but they were confident she needed one. Rose didn’t understand Cassandra’s magic nearly as well as Carter did, but even she could tell the veil cats had a unique connection to the Lady of the Veil. It made even more sense knowing Cassandracould also shift into one of them. But Rose feared what Cassandra needed of him.
None of them were asking Carter to be their bargaining chip. He had kept his shifter form a secret for his entire life. They wouldn’t force him to share now, especially since none of them knew what the Lady of the Veil would ask of him. As he stomped through the garden, his determination clear in the direction of his path towards the willow tree, Rose knew she wouldn’t change his mind.
Rose feared the Lady of the Veil might already know Carter’s secret. She had some experience with the way another’s magic called to her. In her case, Luc’s magic called to hers as much as her magic called to his. Cassandra may be more aware of Carter’s unique magic than they were willing to admit.
Carter, of course, argued it didn’t matter. He said if anything, it meant she wouldn’t try to attack them upon their arrival. Rose let out a sigh as she walked.
“You can’t stop him.”Luc’s words through their connection were unhelpful but true.
“Oh, I know that,”she mentally whined. She couldn’t stop him—nor would she if she could, as Luc had reminded her of his actions under Mount Bury. It was his choice. No matter how much she wished she could bear the burden, she had already proved they were stronger together. That meant she had to let each of them shoulder their share of the weight they carried.
No, Rose wouldn’t stop him. She just wished they had more information. Based on the events detailed in the sisters’ journals, the only one with the information they sought was The Lady of the Veil herself.
“You know this is the right move.”Yes, she knew that, but that didn’t mean she had to be happy about it. Luc’s words weren’t as reassuring as he thought they were.
“I heard that.”
Rose could almost hear the smirk in his tone. It gave her a brief moment of comfort before jumping into the unknown—again.
“Are you there, Rose?” Carter’s voice broke through her thoughts and silent conversation with Luc. Carter’s head was cocked. It must not be the first time he’d tried to get her attention.
“Sorry, what did you say?”
“I was just asking if you’re ready. We’re here.” He gestured to the tree as he parted the curtain of willow branches, and they walked under its canopy.
The tree looked normal now. The last time they came, a crack appeared in the trunk at the veil cat’s growl. Rose hadn’t given it a second thought as to whether the tunnel that opened had remained so. Apparently, it had closed.
“I’m ready if you’re ready,” Rose said.
Carter glared at her again and then shifted into his veil cat form. He raised his paw to let her poke him with Aurora’s blade—covering the tip with drops of his blood. His growl shook the land. She wrapped her fingers into the scruff of his neck, a now familiar practice, as the tree cracked and the tunnel opened.
As if in retaliation for her last comment, he didn’t give her a moment to adjust her grip before he was off and running at the tree. They plunged together into darkness, sending Rose and Carter beyond the veil again.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
