Page 99 of Woven Souls

I turn to the next page.

“This entry is nearly two hundred years later,” I explain, glancing at the date marked well before our time here in this realm. “’A higher power must be guiding our hand as we scoop forth the life force that powers this realm. We soak our food, infuse our water, and energize the soil of our kingdom with the power we’ve uncovered. There is much prosperity. Much happiness. And behold, I still reign supreme at three hundred thirty-two’.”

As I turn to the next page, Jonah hums.

“So… Fae didn’t always have a long lifespan. That’s interesting.”

I nod and make note of the slight change in handwriting. “This next entry is from a different king.”

“Does it name him?” Viktor asks, coming up on my other side.

I shake my head. I flip through the next few pages. “None of them have names.”

“I bet it was to protect their memories if this ever came to light,” Jonah states confidently.

I wouldn’t doubt it.

“What else does it say?” Viktor peers down at the pages as I return to the next entry.

“’Our resources are depleted. The world crumbles beneath our feet, and the realm is unsteady. Our warlocks are looking into a way to sustain the life we once had, but it does not look promising. Like a leech that drains its victim until the last drop, we too, have sucked the life of this world. We may not survive the destruction that is to come, and it would be from our own doing. We live long at last, but to what end?’”

“Well,thatwas a bit dramatic.” Jonah shakes his head. “Keep reading.”

I skim over the next few entries, “These are just empty results from testing different methods to hold their realm together. It’s a whole bunch of trial and error… Oh wait, here: ‘Again we must be looked upon favorably from a higher power, for we have found our answer. This world may be dying, but there is another. Stretching across time and space, my warlocks have found a sustainable new home for my people. It will take a great sacrifice, but it will be worth the risk if it means the survival of our species.’” I dread reading the next page.

What sacrifices is this king talking about?

“’We have done it. Using the last of the nectar from our world, we have crossed over to a new one. While our departure swiftly brought upon the end of our old world, this new one is full of new life and strange beings. Here, simple and primitive beings reside. They teach us how to survive, not knowing that we will, eventually, rule over them. I am eager to be done with these lesser beings. I do not know how our people will fare without the nectar our old world gave us, but we are meant to survive. I am sure we will find an answer.’”

“They left all of the people living in their original world to die…” Viktor’s aghast words are whispered behind me. He clears his throat. “Let me guess, they found another source of magic to keep up the longevity of our species and managed to create a utopia in this new world?”

I skim through the next few entries, my heart sinking as history repeats itself. “They did, and the same thing happened. The greed of the Fae destroyed that world as well.” I flip to the latest entries. This handwriting is sickeningly familiar. “These four are from my father.”

I glance at the date. The first entry was well before I was born, about a hundred years before.

“’The Brotherhood continues to provide for its people. Although our hold on this world is much more limited than in previous ones, our people are thriving. The power in this realm is not nearly as rich as others. Our warlocks have found another, though, that we can reap from while we reside here. Unfortunately, we have tried, and failed, to tame the uninhabitable realm’s vicious and bloodthirsty monsters. We will rid that realm of those beasts soon and have free reign of the power there. Until then, we must be careful not to allow too many monsters to cross over, for they bring questions and fear and may shed light on what we are doing.’”

“Well, well, well, Theodon of Windom. How does it feel to be home?”

I nearly jump out of my skin at the new voice. Instead, years of training kick in. As I turn, I tuck the Royal Diary under one arm and pull my sword free from its sheath. By the time I’m facing the opposite direction, I’m ready to fight.

There, standing in the middle of the room, is an armed guard of at least twelve Fae men and women. With their guns raised and pointed in our direction, we’re easily outnumbered, and our swords won’t do us any good here. An older Fae, most likely approaching his fourth century, steps forward. The deep navy-blue robes he wears speak to his position in the Brotherhood. This must be an Elder, but I don’t recognize him. With twelve Elders who run such a large organization, I’m not surprised. Rarely are they seen together. This one is much taller than the regular Fae, his face terribly thin and wrinkled, and when he takes a step forward, his body sways ever so slightly. He looks fragile enough that a small gust of wind could take him out.

“How the hell did all of you sneak up on us?” Jonah demands.

The Elder hardly spares him a glance before his attention returns to me.

“I see you finally caught on to our people’s little secret.” The Elder frowns. “How does it feel knowing your ancestors have worked hard to create the blessing you see around you now? Although your family no longer reigns in Everlast, the Windom family has done much for its people, and we will forever be indebted. It is why we let you, your mother, and sisters live after your father’s execution. It would have been a shame to destroy such a great lineage.”

My teeth grind together as I study the Elder. Did he help my father before he went mad? Or was he simply complicit in the destruction of realms? If my father was working with the Brotherhood, did my mother have any idea what he was doing? If so, why didn’t she tell me before I went off to boot camp?

“What I want to know is why our people are oblivious to what their kings’, and now parliament’s, involvement is in the destruction of worlds and the manipulation of nature’s intention for us?” Viktor asks quietly, his voice trembling with a barely contained rage.

The Elder looks at Viktor with interest.

“Ah, Viktor of Fowlmor. How is your eyesight?” A sickeningly sweet smile stretches across the Elder’s face, causing Viktor to blanch. “Did you know blindness runs in your genes? Oh, dear, judging by your expression you didn’t. Then, I suppose you don’t know that the first of your bloodline was born completely blind. Because of our ancestors’ meddling, your family’s ailment lessened sufficiently over the years, the blindness coming later in life. It never really disappeared, according to your father and grandfather’s medical reports in their final months of their lives. But I suppose a short time with eyesight is better than none, don’t you think?”

The shock rushing through my system must be nothing compared to Viktor’s, who has gone utterly still.

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