Page 99 of Shifting Winds
Three masked fae appeared behind my father’s prone body, armed with glittering swords. To my horror, all three raised those swords high above their heads, aiming straight for the Fae King.
Before I could shout a warning, Mom’s arms wrapped around me, and all I could think was that she smelled like flowers.
She yanked Tess close and a moment later we stood outside the wards of my home.
Except … there were no wards. Someone had torn them down.
Mom was saying something, but I couldn’t hear her, Tess’s scream still infused into my veins.
Evangelinecame the whisper of Mom’s voice inside my mind.Why are your wards down?
I—I don’t know.
The sound of snarling and an explosion of blue light came from the front of the house. I took off running.
Three Lords stood on one side, three on the other.
Ben, Rowan, and Caelan stood closest to me. Ethan, Thorvin, and Soren stood on the other side, but behind them stood a tall, pale woman with hair so light it could be mistaken for white.
Mom touched my shoulder. My ears popped and I could hear again.
“Thanks,” I whispered.
She didn’t respond, her attention fixed on the woman. “Titania.”
I went still. Titania was a figure of lore that I didn’t think existed, but if there was a true fae queen, this woman looked like she could be it. Pale hair, bright green eyes, fine features and a gossamer gown of pink and green, Titania was just as tall as the Lords, but she vibrated with magic.
Her lips curved when she spotted my mother. “Cliona. How wonderful for you to come. I see you’ve brought me a pet.”
Tess was silently weeping behind us, her small frame shivering with exhaustion.
“Why are you on my daughter’s property?” Mom snapped.
“No one owns property,” Titania said with a laugh. “Not on this plane. It belongs to us. Your daughter lives on our land.”
What an entitled ‘pick me’ girl. “The hell I do.”
Titania’s eyes narrowed as they focused on me. “You must be the sniveling brat I’ve heard so much about.”
Ethan held a hand up. Mom’s eyebrows hitched when the fae fell silent. “On a Lord’s leash, Titania? Oh, how the mighty have fallen.”
“You know nothing,” Titania hissed.
“We’re here for Evie, Caelan. If she comes with us, there will be no bloodshed.”
Caelan’s gaze flicked to Soren. “All of you? Or just you? Soren, have you chosen a side?”
Soren’s lips thinned. “I don’t like any of this.”
I moved to stand next to Caelan. A proprietary hand snagged me around the waist and hauled me close. Ethan’s lips curled in disgust. “You continue to choose the mongrel over your own kind.”
Fury bristled from Caelan, but he calmed when I smiled.
“Aww, Ethan. Are you still butt hurt over getting smacked around by a girl?” I clicked my tongue. “We can go for another round if you’d like.”
Caelan’s hand tightened around my waist in approval.
Ethan’s eyes flashed the gold of the Lord’s. “If you’d like to go again, little girl, I’d be happy to oblige.”
