Page 25 of Rose and Shadows
“Graceyn,” I spoke.
She smiled, her blonde hair pulled into a high ponytail that swung from side to side. A black and gold form-fitting dress with a geometric print was partially obscured by her furry black coat guarding her against the frosty temperatures.
She had been one of my first recruits. Not only that, when I’d been cast out of the Dark Fae Realm, she was the one I’d tapped as leader in my stead.
“It’s been far too long,” she greeted.
As we reached one another, we slap-shook, just like the old days.
Her gaze raked over me. “Loving the new look. Concerned about how it came about.” She ground out. “Those foolshardening you through their prejudice and persecution, no doubt.”
“She’s come out the other side,” Kelsana assured her, and I smiled out at her.
Graceyn gestured at her soldiers. “As we’ve all come to see for ourselves through your recent actions—and battles. Including you contacting us through your new ally here.”
“Well, I can’t reach into the Dark Fae Realm with my banishment in effect.”
“So, of course, you found another way.” She smiled. “We’re glad you did. Things have reached a tipping point. Something you’ve registered despite being disconnected from us and the Realm itself. Impressive.”
“It’s why I’ve had this meeting arranged.”
“Yes. You want to know where it’s coming from, how there are so many Dark Fae committing despicable crimes across the supernatural world—those joining withPuritas,others performing mind-meddling, bringing enhanced versions of that twisted magic out beyond the Realm as well.”
I nodded.
“Darethor is waning.”
The King of the Dark Fae wasn’t even referred to by his title withThryne.It was a little resistance in itself.
She went on, “His power is weakening due to illness born from him delving into dangerous magics far too often over the years. In response, he’s delegated much more of his rule and high-level decision-making to the Royal Fae Court. And they have taken advantage of it. It’s led to a call for domination and dangerous power moves that have caused all of this.”
I scrubbed my hand over my face, a curse escaping me.
“With your connections now to the higher echelons of the supernatural world, there is much you can do to further ourcause, to help put an end to this. And not just your connections in that respect—but in a far more personal way, I’m afraid.”
“What does that mean? You’re referring to Sorin? Rest assured, he’s been incapacitated.”
Her lips twisted, like just the thought of it made her sick—on my behalf, it seemed.
“Not that psychopath. Two others. More sociopathic, if we’re getting technical. Those who are heading the Royal Fae Court now, who have taken advantage of the current situation and turned Darethor into little more than a figurehead, while they think themselves monarchs in his stead.” She shifted her weight. “Lavra and Arvent Tenebris.”
I choked and took an unsteady step back.
My parents.
“You didn’t mention any of that before when I connected with you,” Kelsana snapped at Graceyn.
“We weren’t sure Velra would come here if we had. But seeing us in person is different for her.”
“So you’re manipulating her? Her kindness? Knowing seeing you up close would tug at that gentle heart of hers?”
“We do what we must when we’re up against forces like this.”
“Be really careful where you draw that line. Believe me, you need to. Things can go a whole other way so quickly and, before you know it, you’re becoming the very enemies you’re trying to fight.”
“That’s an easy stance to take when you’re on the outside of all of this.”
“It’s not. And I don’t intend to be on the outside anymore. It’s why Velra brought me back here to you all.”
