Page 41 of Vathia
Amethyst places her hands in her lap and leans back in her chair. “What do you remember about the tales?”
“Just that it was used to bring devastation to the realm. That it was deadly to Gallalaus fae.”
I almost tell her about finding what I believed to be the Soul Stone underneath Phixmery but I wait, wanting to see where she’s taking this conversation.
She dips her head. “That is a part of it, yes. They say it was gifted to the Gallalaus fae from the fates during a time of great peril many, many millennia ago. That this stone could do as much good as it could evil, but at a cost that your family line has kept secret. Only Gallalaus fae could harness it, as they were the only ones who could pay the cost the Soul Stone required. The stone temporarily drains the power of your fae type, leaving them as vulnerable as nulls—magickless. For a period of time before your internal stores regenerated, or so we’re told. Once the stone was fed, you’d be able to summon shadow wraiths,creatures that cannot die. It was meant to help save our world, but in the wrong hands it can be just as destructive.”
Aemon reaches out to his mother with concern pulling at his pale brows. “Why do you bring this tale up?”
“It’s because of the shadow creatures wreaking havoc in Spirrix, isn’t it?” Talyn asks, his knuckles white with how clenched his fists are.
Amethyst takes a swig of the wine from her crystal goblet. “There’s rumours that the Lords have found it. That they’re using it to try to create more of a reason for the other fae types to hate Vathians. Because these beings are made of shadow it doesn’t seem to be too far-fetched.”
“But how would they be able to use it if we have the only Gallalaus fae left?” Jesper asks, gesturing to me.
Amethyst shrugs delicately. “They must have found one they haven’t killed yet. Maybe for this purpose specifically."
I blink slowly as her words attempt to register in my mind, but another one of my kind? It makes me elated that I’m not alone, but at the same time terrified for the fae trapped under the thumb of the lords. “So that’s why you were gone so long? You were trying to find proof of these rumours?” I ask.
“The shadow creatures haven’t been seen since before the Phixmery incident,” Talyn adds, still refusing to make eye contact with me.
She smiles ruefully. “Yes, Ravina, but I couldn’t. So I went to visit the village that was last attacked by these shadowed creatures and it was like the land was marked by evil. Even the wind didn’t seem to want to enter. The bodies have been cleared out, but it was unnatural, how the village felt. I’m almost positive they have the Soul Stone. Although, from the stories, it was hidden away long ago. Maybe—”
“I know where it is,” I state, causing the room to become instantly quiet like all the air has been sucked out, only for amoment, then each and every one of them is speaking over each other.
“What do you mean you know where it is?” Amethyst asks softly, leaning forward.
Taking a steadying breath, I explain how I found the door deep under Phixmery when I was searching for a room for Nero and I to train in. I describe the single black stone sitting alone in a room atop a pedestal that felt like it was sucking the life out of me before I managed to shut the door again.
“So, that’s what happened to you?” Jesper asks, looking to Kill. “We were there watching you and we tried to get the door open again after you left but it wouldn’t budge.” He turns to Amethyst. “Do you really think they would keep such a powerful artifact underneath Phixmery?”
“Phixmery never used to be an academy,” Aemon states. “In fact, it used to be a summer home for the Pendroko royals. After a while it was transformed into a learning institute for strong magick users, or that’s what the history texts say.”
“And then after the death of the royal family twenty-one years ago, they decided to make it into a military academy. With no royals to tell them no, it’s exactly what they did,” Amethyst seethes. “And my mate was no better.”
My eyes snap to Aemon’s and I watch as he shuts down, pulling within himself. I’ve noticed the absence of Lord Zorn but I didn’t want to ask. “What happened to your mate?” I ask hesitantly.
“He’s sick. Bedridden,” Amethyst states swiftly as she straightens the utensils in front of her.
Aemon scoffs. “Why lie to her, mother? Just be honest. We’re all family here.” He crosses his arms over his broad chest and stares at his mother. “Father was working for the Lords, so dear old mother here made him unnaturally sick and placed him in a deep sleep. She’s keeping him alive so I won’t need toascend to Lordship yet, while she controls Vathia with my help. It’s smart, but I still think we should have killed him while we had the chance. I can handle the responsibility.”
“He is sick,” she stresses. “That male is not my mate, something is wrong with him and I won’t kill him if there’s still a way I can cure him.”
My gaze bounces between the two before glancing at the rest of the table. I was not expecting that, but also, how could Lord Zorn have turned against us? Against his family? Poor Aemon, I can’t even imagine having to sit by watching while your mother tears herself apart to find a cure for betrayal.
Killian thankfully changes the subject, getting us back on track. “We should send scouts to go collect the stone, if it’s still there.”
Amethyst and her son break their staring contest to consider Kill’s proposal. “It couldn’t be just anyone,” Aemon states, his voice gravelly with emotion. “I wouldn’t trust anyone outside our group with an object like the Soul Stone. It’s too dangerous. Not to mention if they were caught,” he shakes his head.
“Why don’t you send us back? Let us see if we can get into the room,” Lennox suggests.
My friends have been oddly quiet during this conversation, not that I blame them. If they are using this stone to cause destruction to Damorleia, well, it’s a lot to take in.
Roz jumps up. “Yeah, I could totally hide us, plus the dragons won’t keep us away because I have Thornwing. Not to mention that we already know what door you’re talking about. We passed it almost every day heading to Ravina’s cavern to help her train.”
I turn to my friends who seem determined to help. “You do realize you’ll be walking back into the heart of enemy territory. Maybe I should come with you—”
“No!” Their voices ring out, making me wince and Nero poof up.
