Page 36 of Wrath of the Fae

I pick it up. The metal forms a sort of knuckle duster shape. As I look closer, I see threads of gold shining through the metal, pulsing and humming with power.

‘Ivan’s tech,’ I realise. ‘This is what the soldiers have been using to steal our powers. He’s updated the devices he used back in the human realm.’

‘We’ve seen these a few times but never one that’s freshly been used,’ Lucca tells me. ‘They take power from the Fae it’s placed on. Stores it.’

I think back to the soldiers in the dead boy’s memories. How they took the hand of those they then killed, and how sparks flew between them.

This is the device.

I hold it closer, seeing that gentle shimmer of gold lost in the deep darkness of the metal.

Della’s power.

That’s why Spek thrashed as she did. The power was being taken from Della. Then they killed her.

‘These devices popped up a few days before you returned,’ Lucca continues. ‘Ivan sent them over with his last shipment of iron weapons in exchange for three hundred Fae criminals.’

‘Friends,’ Wolf grunts.

‘The King’s been giving powers to his loyal followers,’ Lucca continues. ‘To high-ranking Fae who prove their loyalty to him. To the bloodthirsty and the ones that don’t ask questions.’

‘Just like Ivan is doing back in the human world,’ I mutter, still staring at the device. ‘So this one gives the power to Fae? Not humans?’

‘I believe so,’ Lucca nods. ‘Raven. I know it’s painful and sad what happened to Della. But we need a Hitcher.’

I lift my gaze to him.

‘Della saved countless lives with her scouting,’ he continues. ‘She got you here alive. Made sure our route was safe. Without her, we would never have made it this far. We would never have secured the Thirteenth Kingdom. If we lose that advantage-’

‘She was murdered for her gifts. Now you want to steal them?’

‘Steal? No. Not waste her gifts.’ Lucca folds his arms across his chest. ‘You know that Della would want her gifts to keep helping you. Helping all of us. She was a fierce little thing. She would want-’

‘She would want to be alive with her parents.’ I grip the device and slide it back to him. ‘You take it if you can live with it. Live knowing you own the very thing that got her killed. But from now on, we will destroy these devices. If we see one, it’s turned to ash.’

‘You want to destroy powers?’ asks one of the men sitting at the table. A high lord from the Seventh Kingdom who was travelling when it was stolen. He then joined Lucca soon after finding his home empty and everyone in it gone.

‘If we start using these devices, we are no better than them, and this thievery will never stop. No one is infallible. If word gets out we're distributing stolen powers, it will cause an uproar.’

‘But to destroy what has already been stolen…’ argues the Seventh Kingdom Lord. ‘Surely-’

‘And what if we decide that your power over water is better suited to another?’ I ask him. ‘Shall we steal it from you? Give it to someone we deem more worthy? More loyal? Perhaps someone who follows orders without hesitation? Someone easy to control? Just as the King is doing.’

He remains silent in his chair.

‘This will not be tolerated. Powers belong to those who are born with them.’ I look at the device Lucca holds. ‘Della’s gift kept us alive, yes. But this is one of the many things we are fighting against. Agreed?’

They all nod, and Lucca puts the device in his pocket.

‘Words,’ Wolf growls. ‘She wants to hear you say it so she can sense your truth.’

One by one, those at the table agree, and there is no dishonesty among them.

Hours pass. We discuss numbers. The number of the dead. The number of new allies who were living in the Thirteenth Kingdom. How many men and women are fit enough to fight and train. We discuss food supplies. Locations of fresh water. On and on we go. Talking strategy and making plans.

The tapestry of the realm is taken down from the wall and laid on the table. Salt and pepper pots become armies. Thimbles become villages. Paths are plotted. Ideas discussed. My head hurts after countless hours of listening to them all. My stomach growls. And the image of Della and her parents claw at my throat.

We finally part ways. Everyone has something that needs to be done, and all are keen to get on with their tasks. They bow at the waist as they go, and Lucca stands before me.

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