Page 94 of Soul of Thorns
“Indeed.”
Next to the emerald being is a red being burning with fire. “Flicker Court,” I whisper.
“I gave the fire magic to the land that is now the Flicker Court, yes. Many of our kind gave their power to the land and then buried themselves in the ground, happy with their completion. My sister and I remained, hidden in our lands, longer than many others. When the Night Terrors rose to power, we were one of the last able to resist them.”
Inky black tendrils dig into the earth like a massive worm, and I flinch away from the sight.
“They had become corrupted by the promise of power. They enjoyed pain. They sought to destroy, instead of create. And so, with the help of some of the of fae rulers of the time, we managed to banish one of them to the Schorchedlands. It took many sacrifices. Every curse must have a reversal. I condemned my own soul to protect the book with the power to reverse the Night Terror’s curse. My sister sacrificed her soul to protect the borders around the cursed lands.”
And that worked for centuries.
“Yes, the Night Bringer has been trying to break these walls for five hundred years.”
“So, I suppose you aren’t exactly happy to see me.”
“If I had laid dormant for all of time, my purpose would have been fulfilled, yes. But I placed my soul inside because I did not expect it to be so easy. So, I am not surprised to see you, shadow fae. I know much about you, as you can imagine.”
I laugh awkwardly. I suppose he would, wouldn’t he?
“You are strong but vulnerable. You may yet lose the fight for your soul. But I am not disappointed in who stands before me.”
I bite my lip. “What do I do now?”
“That is up to you. You are the last being with the power to obtain my knowledge and use my power.”
After another moment of thought, I am confident in what I have seen. It could be mind-shattering, certainly. I could delve so deep into the history of our world and the worlds beyond this one, but—at least right now—I don’t much care about the origins of our world. I care about now. I care about Rev. He is alive. And this book is the only leverage I have.
“Is there any way to kill them? The Night Terror and Night Bringer?”
“Is it possible? Yes. Can you, Caelynn of the Shadow Court or your mate achieve this alone? No.”
Wonderful. “You say alone. How about with your power?”
“The majority of my power is in knowledge. I can give you spells to use against them, but without more raw power, no, it will not be enough.”
“So, we can’t win?”
“You cannot currently win in a fight against the Night Terror.”
I suppose my wraith has the right idea then. Bargain our way out. The problem is, how do we bargain with them without setting the evilest of beings to ever walk this realm free?
