HOUSE OF LIGHT AND ETHER
GILDED CITY BOOK THREE LEIA STONE
CONTENTS
Chapter1
Chapter2
Chapter3
Chapter4
Chapter5
Chapter6
Chapter7
Chapter8
Chapter9
Chapter10
Chapter11
Chapter12
Chapter13
Chapter14
Chapter15
Chapter16
Chapter17
Chapter18
Chapter19
Chapter20
Epilogue
AbouttheAuthor Acknowledgments
“Youcan’thelpme.You’llonlygethurt,”Itoldhim.
He released mywrist and sat up. “I’mokaywiththat, Fallon.” He held mygaze and mythroat tightened. What was he saying?
“You’reokaywithmeburningyoualiveifyoupissmeoff?”Isnapped.
Henoddedonce “Ifitmeansthereisachancetosaveyou,Iam” Tearsfilledmyeyes,butIblinkedthemback.Itwasweirdtocryyetfeelnothinginside.
Inthatmoment,hisblindloyaltyandcareformysafetyremindedmeofmyfather myrealfather,atitleI’dnevergiveto him.HewasMasterClarke,amanwhoapparentlywasseducedintolyingwithMarissaonenight,andIwasabyproductof that.
“Let’sstartfromthebeginning”Hepulledoutathick,well-wornnotebookandanothertomebesideit,oneIrecognized It wasthebookHayeshadfoundinthelibrary,theonethatspokeofsomeonefromtheHouseofAshusingmindcontrol.
“You’rehearingvoices?”heasked
Mychestfelttight,myheartracing.Whatdidhethinkhecoulddo?Readhiswayoutofmyproblem?
Yanricflew fromRanger’sbackandlandedonmyshoulder ‘He knows the risks and he’s willing to help It can’t hurt Marissa will be our last resort.’
IpeeredatClarkeagainandnoddedonce.
ClarkelookedatYanric “You?Mysteriousvoices?” Mybirdnoddedonce.
‘You hear the same ones as I do?’Iaskedhim Hewasquietamoment. ‘And more, ’ heshared. Ifrowned.MasterClarkebegantotakenotesinhisbookandthenrifledthroughsomepages.
“Itsaysherethatthefamiliaractuallytakesthebruntofthesymptomsatfirst.SoYanricwillbefeelingthemostagitated, hearingthings,havingnightmares,lossofpowercontrol.”
Ilookedatmyfamiliarwithanopenmouth ‘Yan, is that true?’
Hesimplynoddedonceagain,andIreachedupandpulledhimdowntomychest,clutchinghimagainstme.Thenormally warm,fuzzyfeelingsIhadforhimfeltliketheywerehiddenunderathickblanketofdesperation,anditwassofrustrating,I wantedtoscream.
“Ican’tchase awaythe sadness,” Itold Master Clarke, a tear fallingdownmycheek. “Ican’tstop cryingeither. Ihave nightmares.Ifeelnumbattimes,andwhenIgetangry…”Itrailedoff,andMasterClarketookmorenotes,noddingasifthisall madesense.
“Youcan’tcontrolit,”hefinishedforme Isighed,releasingYan,andheflewfrommyarmsintotheforest.
‘Going hunting,’ hesaid,butIfeltthathetoowashavingtroublefeelingnormal,feelinghappinessorlove MasterClarketappedthebooks.“Itsayshereyoucarrythemagicofyourancestors.Forexample,thepowertoswitch,like youdidwithAriyon,wasgiventoyoubyAmethystBane.”
“Iknow,”Itoldhim,unabletokeepmytonefromcomingoutsharp “Ithinkthevoicesyouheararenotpsychosis.Ithinktheyareremnantsofyourancestorsastheirmagicbuildsupinsideof you”
Relief rushed throughme at that. I mean, it didn’t make it anybetter. I was still hearingvoices those of disembodied spiritsifhewasright butitmeantIwasn’tcompletelylosingmymind “Sowhatdoesthatmean?Canwestopthem?”
Clarke chewed athis lip. “I’mnotsure aboutthatyet. Now thatIknow aboutthe true historyofthe House ofAshand Shadow,Iwondersomethings Likewhatiftheexperimentationonyourpeoplewastotwisttheirmagictobecomemoreand morepowerfulwitheachgeneration?”
Astonesankinmygut “ThenIwillbethemostpowerfulBanetoeverlive?” Henodded.“Andatthemostriskforgoingdark.”
Hiswordsonlymademefeelworse NowIjustworriedthatI’dgoevendarkerthanMarissaandlightthewholeworldon fire.
Ifoundmythoughtsgoingtosadplaces,pullingonoldwoundsinmyheartliketheloosethreadsofasweater.Itwouldn’t stopuntilthewholethingunraveledonme
“Didyouevertrytovisitme?”Iasked,onthevergeoflosingmynerve.“WhenIwasachild?”
Master Clarke stiffened beside me He sethis bookdownand nodded “Ihad to stayawaycompletelyfor the firstfive years. I was worried that Marissa herself would be looking for you. I knew there was a possibility she would become a Nightlingand be reborn. Ijustprayed itwould never happen. Ithankthe LighteverydaythatQueenSolana never used her poweroftruthoverme.”
Istayedquiet,unabletoimaginehavingachildoutintheworldandnotgoingtoseethemorevenmeetthemonce.
“Letmesee,”Ibegged.Already,though,myguiltwasbeingchasedawaybynumbness.
“I’mfine.I’llgowrapthemand ”
“Letmesee!”Iyelled,andthebushtotherightofhimexplodedwithpurpleflames Heswallowedhard,thenproducedhispalmsformetoinspect.AgarbledcryleftmylipswhenIgazeduponthebubbled, redskin
“Youneedahealer.I…Ineedtogo.You’renotsafewith ”
“Fallon”MasterClarkesteppedinmywayasImovedtowalktotheabandonedtwo-bedroomcabinwe’dsharedoverthe pastmonth.
“Thiswasexpected.Iknew therisks.I’mokay.Ihaveatinctureforthepainandtokeepawayinfection.I’llbefine.We needtokeepworking You’vemadesomuchprogress,”hepleaded
Ilaughedthen,asYanricdovedownandlandedonmyshoulder.“Progress?Ionlygetfourhoursofsleepanightbecause ofthenightmares Thevoicesarewithmedailynow Andmypowersaremoreoutofcontrolthanever!”
Butathismentionoftincture,myminddriftedbacktoTheGildedCity,toAvis.Shewasthemothertousall.Iwondered then how the apothecary was doing on the East Side, if her plan to open an undercover clinic there was in motion Were residentscominginfortheir“icecream”andleavinghealed?WasHayeshelpingout?WasAriyon?
Atthethoughtofmyfirstandonlylove,myheartrippedintoathousandpieces.How couldIhavejustlefthimlikethat? HowcouldInotevensaygoodbyetohim?
ButthenIrecalledthelookonhisfaceafterI’dhurtBlair.
Hewasscaredofme,andrightfullyso WhichwaswhyIhadturnedawayeveryletterhetriedtosendthrougharavento MasterClarkeandmadeClarkepromisenottotellAriyonoranyonefromTheGildedCitywherewewere.
“Fallon,deepbreaths.”MasterClarke’spanickedvoicebroughtmebacktomyself.
Oh Light! We were standinginside a funnel of blackshadows, a ringof purple fire dancingat the edge of the treeless meadowwestoodin.
“Staywithme Stayincontrol,”Clarkecoached ‘I miss them too,’ Yanricsaid,asatearrolleddownmycheekandIangrilyswipeditaway. Itookinadeepbreathandcontinueddoingsoslowlyuntiltheshadowfunnelcollapsedandthefirewasnothingmorethan aringofsmoke.
Clarkelookedrelieved.Proud.Smiling.“See?Togetherwecancontrolthis.”
Iforcedmyselftoreturnhissmile,butthenIlookedatYanric.Ididn’tevenneedtosaythewords.Healreadyknew. ‘We leave tonight,’ hesaid.
Ijustnoddedonce Iwasn’tgoingtoletMasterClarkegethurtagain Itwaskindofhimtohelpmewithmymagicallthese weeks.Buttodayhadprovedthatthirtydaysofcountlesshoursoftraininghaddonenothingbutmakemestrongerandlessin control Ifearedwe’dmadeitworse Thepowerinsideofmehadgrownsobig,itfeltlikeIwassuffocating Itwascompeting forroominsideofme,eatingupthepartsofmethatusedtobelightandbrightandfulloflife.
Iwasgrowingdeadinside andIcouldn’tevencryaboutitanymore.
IhadnoregretsasIslippedoutofthecabin,intothecoolnightairwithmypackonandYanricperchedonmyshoulder Ihad enoughdecencystill leftinme toknow thatIcaredfor Master Clarke andwouldnever forgive myselfifIseriouslyinjured him.He hadtriedhis best.I’dgivenhimamonth.Ithadn’tworked.Iwalkedtothe meadow where Ranger was tiedupand pulledhisreinsfromthetreestump
“Readyforanadventure?”Istrokedhisneck,andhechuffed.
SeeingRangermademethinkofAriyonagain OfSolana Myfather Eden Everyone Imissedthemallsomuch,itcaused mychesttofeellikeitwassplittingopen,butthiswasforthebest.MasterClarkeoftensentwordviaraventoTheGildedCity toassurethequeenwewerebothaliveandwellandthatmypowerswereundercontrol Hesaidthatifhedidn’t,shewould sendanarmyafterme.Buthenevertoldherwherewewere,andhespelledtheravenswithsometincturesotheycouldn’tbe followedortracedbacktous.
Ipulled outthe map thatMarissa had sentme withher note and unfolded it Was this crazy? Goinginto the bellyofthe beast?
WhatifshejuststolemybloodforthelocketaroundSolana’sthroatandthenkilledme?
‘She can’t kill you. She needs an heir in order to rule,’ Yanricremindedme.
That was true I could kill her, just blast her with as much magic as possible the first time I saw her but I knew I wouldn’t.IfIwasbeinghonest,therewasaverysmallpartofmethatwantedtohearhersideofthings,thathopedshecould helpmecontrolmypowerorthatImightbeabletotalkheroutofherplannedNightlingattackthatEmmeric,theEaldorFae, hadspokenof theeventthatwouldtakemylife
Iknew Marissa was hungryfor power.She hadkilledalotofpeople inher attackonthe school andmurderedAriyon’s parentsinthemostbrutalway,andyet,Icouldn’thelpbutunderstandatinybitwhatitwasliketolosecontrol Ihadn’tmeant to lightBlair’s hair onfire or burnMaster Clarke’s hands. Whatifshe hadn’tmeantto kill all those students inthe school either?
Yanricclearedhisthroat,andIglancedatmybird. ‘I don’t want Marissa to be a psycho mass murderer either, but let’s not forget she used mind control to force Master Hart to keep the doors closed so that everyone would burn.’
Shame rushedthroughme athis words He was right Iwas makingexcuses for her,tryingtosee her ina better light,to rationalizewhyIwasgoingtohernow.
‘Say the word, and I’ll head for the mountains Tell me going to see Marissa is crazy, ’ ItoldYanric ‘You’re crazy, ’ afemalevoicecackledinmyhead,andIbitdownonmylipsindesperation.
Yanricsighed,snugglingintomyneckandburrowinghisheadthere. ‘I think she’s the only one in the realm that might be able to help slow down whatever is happening to us If she tries to hurt you, I’ll take both of her eyes ’ Ichuckled. ‘I love you, little murder bird.’ ‘And I, you Though I do miss what it feels like to be happy,’hesaid,anditwaslikeapunchtothegut Happiness,joy, deepbellylaughter,Eden,Ariyon,Ayden.Allthosethingsthatusedtomakemesmile,oh,howImissedthemtoo.IfeltlikeI wasn’teventhatpersonanymore,likethatFallonhaddiedandthisnew Fallonreplacedher,andIjusthadtocometoterms withit.
Takinginadeepbreath,IangledRangerinthedirectionMarissahadindicatedwasNightlingCityonthemap.
Light help us all
Therewasaflickerofmotiontomyright,andthenMarissamaterializedbesideme.“She is aweapon,Sadine,”Marissa toldtheredheadandlookedupatmewithasmile,hersnakefamiliartighteningaroundherarm.“Comeinside.Wehavemuch todiscuss”
Fearbloomedinmystomachasregretwashedoverme.ShouldIbehere?ButMarissawasright.I was aweapon,andif mydearold“mother”triedanything,Iwouldshowherjusthowmuchmypowershadgrown Yanrictwitchedalittleonmyshoulder. ‘Tell her you will only talk to her alone. Get these goons to step back. This looks like an ambush ’ Paranoia.Ididn’tblamehim.Iwasfeelingittoo.
“I’llonlyspeaktoyoualone.Getyour…peopletostepback,”ItoldMarissa. Shenoddedonceandthegroupdispersed,scatteringlikeroaches
‘There are hundreds more in the city,’awomancackledinmymind. Igroanedandknockedthesideofmyheadwithmyfist “Stopit!”Iscreamed “Thevoices?”Marissaasked,coolandcalm,asifspeakingabouttheweather. Ihatedher,Ireallydid ShehadkilledAriyon,whomI’donlysavedthroughtheaccidentalswappingofpowerswithhim, andshe’dtriedtokillSolana.Shewasevil…butshewasalsolookingatmelikesheknewexactlywhatIwasgoingthrough, andthatbroughtmeaweirdcomfort.
“Themoreyoufightthem,thelouderthey’llget,”sheadvised Yanricsquawkedloudly,asifhedidn’tlikethesoundofthat.
Iscoffed “Youexpectmetohaveaconversationwiththemorsomething?” Sheraisedoneeyebrow atme,clearlyunimpressedwithmytone.“Well,theyareyourancestors,simplytryingtoadvise you.”
Igasped,peeringatherinshock.Clarkewasright.
Marissapursedherlips.“Didtheymakeyoufeellikeyouwerecrazy?Come,wehavealottocatchupon.”
Isaidnothing,onlyfollowedherinsilenceasthedarkfeelingswithinmegrew Shedematerializedintohershadowform, andIfollowedheraswewalkedtothebigmeetingbuilding.
Themomenthershadowentered,shesolidifiedbackintoherfaeformandwalkedacrosstheroom Mygazedartedaround, searchingforthreats,butIcouldseethatwewerealone.Thegiantspacewasempty,withafewmattressesonthefloor,atable withfoldingchairs,andafireplace.
Ifrowned.“Youlivehere?”
Shelaughed.“Gross.Noway!Thisisourtopsidebaseofoperations.IhaveabeautifulestateintheRealmofRebirth.” IlookedatYan
‘Ariyon said Nightlings barely spend any time here, but I didn’t think that meant they lived elsewhere,’myfamiliarsaid. ‘An estate in the Realm of Rebirth?’Iaskedhim Thatjustsoundedweird shelivedwithabunchofdeadpeople ButI appreciatedthatshewasbeingforthcoming.
Shesatatoneofthechairsandcrossedherlegs,indicatingwithahandthatIdothesame.Ieyedthesnakeatherthroat, coiledlikeanecklace,andIcouldn’tgetwhatshedidtoAriyon’sparentsoutofmyhead
“You’vedonehorriblethings,”IsaidasIsatdown,unabletojustplayalongandpretendsheandIwerealike. She shrugged “To horrible people who think we deserve to die for the magic in our veins They treat us like we are possessedwithevil.”
“Aren’twe?”Iasked She scoffed, leaning forward. “That magic running through you is intuitive. It knows what needs to be done. There is nothingelselikeit.”
Myhearthammeredinmychestatherwords Intuitivemagicthatjustknewwhatneededtobedone? Blair’s hair. Itwasn’tmebutmymagicinstead?
“Theschool,lightingitonfire younevermeanttodothat?Themagicdid?”Iasked Marissa nodded.“Rightlyso!Theyall wantedme dead.Theyall thoughtIwas evil.Athingthattheir ancestors created. Thentheystoleourthrone!”sheyelled
Sothat’show shejustifiedkillingoverahundredstudents?Idecidedsheprobablycouldn’tseereason,soIjustnodded, notwantingtoangerher.
“Canitbecontrolled?”Iaskedher ItwastheentirereasonIwashere Ifshesaidno,Iwasleaving “Whywould youwantto control it? Ifyoucontrol it, youdampenthe power, which, Iamguessing, is growingstronger everyday”Shelookedgreedythen,herblackeyesglistening
“Canitbecontrolled?”Ipressed.“Orwillitcontinuetogrow?Thenightmares,thevoices,thenumbfeeling,depression.” Irattledoffmysymptomsandtherewasaflickerofcompassionthatcrossedherface,butonlyforafractionofasecondbefore itwasgone.
“Thereisapricetopayforbeingsoblessedmagically.Ittakesatoll.”
Agarbled gasp ripped frommythroat as I tried againto stand but was overcome withdizziness. What did this mean? Marissawasboundbyshadowsnomore?Like,herbodywasreborn?Whatdiditmean?
Shehadtakentoomuchfromme toomuchblood MyheartfeltlikeitwasbeatingbetweenmyearsandIcouldn’tthink straight.WherewasYanric?
“I want to go next” The brunette stepped closer to me, but Marissa threw out her hand and a rope of black shadow wrappedaroundthegirl’swaist,pinninghertothespot.
“Touchher,andI’llthrowyouintotheBottomlessPit!”Marissagrowled “Stickwiththeplan Iwillgetonthethroneand thenusethenecklaceSolanaiscurrentlywearing,asqueen,tounbindtherestofyou.Ifyoudrinktoomuch,shewilldie,and thenwherewillwebe?”ShelookedatthegroupofhungryNightlings,andonebyonetheynodded.
Maybeitwasthebloodloss,butmybrainwassluggishinprocessingeverythingshesaid AllIknewwasthatifonemore persondrankfromme,IwasleavingthisrealmandstandingbeforeTheGrim,becausetherewasbarelyenoughbloodinmy bodytokeepmeconscious
Lighthelpme.Imanagedtositupandrollontomyknees,fightingtheurgetopassout.
Ishouldhaveknownshe’dtrickme Iwassostupidforcominghere HadshehurtYanric?Wherewashe?
Marissa’s eyes widened, thenshe grabbed her head suddenlybefore lettingloose witha guttural wail of pain. Asmall trickle of blood left her nose, and myhead whipped toward the opendoorwayjust intime to see Ariyonstep inside with Yanriconhisshoulder
Ihadn’tthoughtmyheartcouldpossiblybeatanyfaster,butitdidatthesightofhim.Heworethefullbattlearmorofthe Queen’s Royal Army,andhewas grinning “Whatever youdid,Marissa,Icanfeel your energynow,whichmeans Icanhurt you,”hegrowled,sneeringather.
Marissafelltoherknees,morebloodtricklingfromhernoseasherfaceturnedblue.
Holy Fae, he was tearing her apart from the inside out, and all I could do was watch in fascination. Then the room explodedintochaos.
TheNightlingspresentpoofedintoshadowandheadedforAriyon,butYanricmetthemhead-on Myfamiliartransformed intoshadowsandtookonthestreaksofblackzippingthroughtheair,crashingintothemandminglingintoangryballs. Awindowtomyrightbroke,andastreakofredhairburstintotheroomandbeganlaunchingavolleyoffireballs Eden.
Iwantedtoburstintosobsatthesightofmybestfriend,buteverythingwastoohard.Thinking.Standing.Feeling.
‘They don’t love you for who you are Only we know your true self,’ oneofthevoicesinsidemyheadsaid.
Another window broke, and thenanother, and suddenlythe roomwas filled withnearlyeveryone Icared about. Ayden, MasterClarke,Hayes
AriyonsidesteppedtheballofshadowsandstoodbeforeMarissa,wholookedneardeath.Unimaginableamountsofblood coveredhershirt Herlipsandfaceweretingedbluewithalackofoxygen,andsheclawedatherthroat,desperatelyinsearch ofairasshelookedupatAriyoninshock.
“YouhavenoideawhatI’mcapableof.”Ariyonspokedownather.
Awaveofremnantpainshookme,andIhadtogriptheedgesofthemattresstokeepfrompassingout
Oneoftheshadowsseparatedfromtheballandformedintothebrunettewoman.Aknifeappearedinherhand,aimedfor Ariyon’sback,andIusedeveryounceofstrengthIpossessedtoscream “Ariyon,behind!”
Hespun,catchingthewoman’shandmidair,andthenmyvisionwasblottedoutwithdarkness IthoughtIhadfainted,butI wasstillconscious we’dbeenmagicallyplungedintodarkness.
Ipulledformypower,butitwasliketryingtoreachintomud.Everythingwasthickandsluggishinmybody.Marissahad nearlydrainedmewhenshe’dfedfromme,anditbrokemyheart Somewheredeepdowninside,Ihadstillexpectedhertobe adecentperson.Amother.ThiswasthelasttimeI’deverunderestimateherandtheevilshewascapableof.
TheroomflaredwithlightasEdenandAydenusedtheirfiretoilluminatethespace,andIwasbothrelievedandannoyed toseethatMarissaandherNightlingsweregone.
Ariyonstrodeacrossthespaceuntilhestoodbeforeme,butIcouldn’tmeethisgaze Iwassoashamed Ihadlefthim I’d lefteveryone.IhadlitBlaironfireandyettheyallstillcametomyrescue. IsuspectedthiswasbecauseofYanric.
‘When I left last night to follow Marissa, I heard her plans When I came back to wake you, they had put some kind of sleep spell over you. I went for help right away, ’ myfamiliarsaidfromhisplaceonEden’sshoulderassherubbedhisneck fondly Theyhadaspecialbond,andIcouldn’timagineithadbeeneasytobeawayfromeachotherforamonth
“Fallon,lookatme.”Ariyonreachedupandgraspedthebottomofmyface,tiltingmychinuptomeethissteel-grayeyes. Histouch,sosoftandsafe,madethenumbnessinsideofmeflickerfortheslightestmoment.Forasplitsecond,Iremembered whatjoyfeltlike andlove.
AndIwantedthatpartofmyselfback.
insideofMasterClarkewhenheleft,andIwouldbelyingifIdidn’tadmitthatIfeltitabittoo.Ourmonthtogetheroutinthe abandoned cabinhad bonded us a traumatic bond buta bond nonetheless. Abond thatwas, maybe, like a buddingfatherdaughterrelationship Nowwewouldgobacktoouroldlives teacherandstudent
WhenwereachedBanemanor,Ariyon,Ayden,Eden,andHayesvowednottoleavemyside,claimingwewouldhavea sleepover Iwas exhausted yetexhilarated atthe same time After notfeelingemotions for so long, joyand happiness were bubblingoverinsideme.
“Wewilltalkaboutthisinthemorningandmakesomegroundrules,”QueenSolanatoldme Ijustnodded,gratefulshehadn’tcagedmerightthenandthere.
Aftersheleft,Iknockedonthedoor.Ihadleftwithoutmykey,andIhopedmydadwouldn’tbetoostartledwhenhe Thedoorrippedopen,andmyfatherstoodtherelookingalert,likehe’dstayedupwaiting “Fallon!”Hisvoicecaughtas hereachedformycoveredshoulders.
“Wetoldhimweweregoingtogetyou,”Edensaidfrombehindme TearsfilledmyeyesasIlookedathim.Myfatherlookedunkempt,withafullbeardanddarkcirclesunderhiseyes,andI realizedthatleavingwithouthimmusthavehurthimsobadly
“Areyouokay?”Hefranticallyglancedovermybodyasifsearchingforwounds.HiseyesfilledwithtearswhenInodded. “She’sfine.”Ariyonsteppedupandsqueezedmydad’sshoulder.“IbroughtherhomelikeIsaidIwould.”
MyfatherdroppedmyhandsandpulledAriyonintoahug,andmythroatconstricted “I’msothankfulforyou,son,”mydadmurmuredinAriyon’sear,andIlookedatEdentoseeshewastearingup. Isawnowthatmyleavinghadleftamarkonallofthem,andtheguiltofitwormeditswayintomychest “I’msorryIleft.Ihadnootherchoice.Iwas ”
“It’s okay.” Edenstepped up beside me and tookmygloved hand inhers, givingit a hard squeeze. “Youdon’t need to explain.We’rejustsogladyou’rehome.”
“Isanyoneelsehungry?”Hayesblurtedout,andweallburstintolaughter.
MyfatherpulledawayfromAriyon,wipingathiseyes,andshrugged “It’sthemiddleofthenight,butIcouldmakesome breakfast.”
Withthat,weallfiledintothekitchen Mydadturnedontheoven,gettingintohiselement Itwasafarcryfromhavingto rationmeatandbreadinthesamemeal.Withinanhour,mydadhadbakedcheddarbiscuits,andmadeahugepileofscrambled eggsandawholeplateofsausages.
EveryonetradedstoriesaboutwhatIhadmissedwhileIwasgone.IquicklylearnedthatQueenSolanahadtheentirecity wallreinforcedwithamagicalbarrierthatdetectedNightlingsandsoundedanalarmwhentheybrokethrough.Theschooland all the richhomes onthe EastSide had builtunderground bunkers thatwere magicallylined to keep Nightlings out, evenin theirshadowform.
“WhatabouttheWesties?”Iasked Edenchuckled.“We’llbethefirsttodieinanattack.”
Shewasjoking…butnotreally.Anditwasn’tfunny.
“SpeakingoftheWestSide”Hayespipedupwithamouthfullofsausage “The‘icecream’shopisthriving QueenSolana evenstopsbytogetascoopandleavesahugetiptokeepeverythingrunning.”
Ismiledatthat,rememberinghow she’dactedwhenshehadstoppedbytoseeAvisinher regular shopontheEastSide andboughtabunchofhertinctures,leavingabigtipthattimetoo.Solanawasgoodatheart.
“Areyoudoingalotofhealings?Arepeoplegettingbetter?”Iaskedeagerly Ithadbeenpartlymydreamtogetabetter healingclinicgoingontheWestSide.IwassadIwasn’ttheretoseeit.
Edennodded.“Hundreds.Moraleisupwithinthecity,andeveryoneisdoinggreat.Theclinicactuallyhastimetoseethe seriouscases”
Thatwasarelief.“Is…Avisokay?”Theguiltwasback.I’dlefthertoo. Edennodded “Shemissesyou She’llbethrilledyou’reback”
Itwasalottotakein,Marissafeedingoffofmeandsomehow now havingaforeverbody,Ariyontakinghalfmypower andgivingmehis,allthenewsaboutwhathadhappenedherewhileIwasgone Iyawned,suddenlyexhausted,andeveryonenodded.
“Let’scrash.”Hayesleanedbackandtappedhistummy,whichwasnowbloated.
“Icalltheredbed!”Edenpoppedup
“No,that’sthemostcomfortableone!”Aydensaid,frowning.
Ipeeredatthem,confused Whatwastheredbed?Andwhydiditsoundliketheyhadsleptoverherebefore?
“Comeon.I’llshowyou.”Edenpulledmyhand,andIfollowedhertoalargeroomonthefirstfloor.Itusedtobeagiant ballroom.Whensheopenedthedoors,myheartpinched.Inthecenteroftheroomwerefourbeds,alllinedinaneatrow.Each bedhadcurtainsforprivacyhangingfromtheirfourtallposts.Onehadaredcomforter,oneblue,oneblack,andonegray.At thefarwallweremapsandnotesstucktoitinEden’shandwriting.
Sheraisedoneeyebrowathim.“Noted.”Thensheshutthedoorinhisface.
Iwantedtosnickeratthewayshe’dshownhimwhowasboss,butmystomachwasinknots.Thisconversationwasgoing tobeawkward,nodoubt,butwehadtogetthroughit
“Youbrokeyourpromisetome,Fallon,”shesaidwithouthesitating.
Iheldmyfingertomylips,indicatingshebesilent,andshefrowned Ipulledthecrystalshelloutofmybag,withanoteI hadwritten,andputitonherdesk.ThenoteexplainedthiswasalisteningdevicetotheRealmofRebirthandthatIwasn’tsure ifitworkedbothways,soweshouldbequietwhileitwasintheroom
Whenshesatandreadthenote,hereyebrowsshotupimpossiblyhighonherforehead.Thenshegrabbedtheshellandheld ittoherear,pushingalockofblondhairawayfromherface.
There was a moment of her listening, and then surprise showed on her face as her mouth went slack She gave me a quizzical look and then nodded. Standing from the desk, she strode across the room and disappeared behind the secret bookcaseandintohersecondaryroombeforereturningwithouttheshell
“Thankyouforthat.Itmighthelpusinthefighttocome,”shesaid.
Inodded “Iwantedtocomeandapologizeforbreakingmywordtoyou Tobehonest,IwasafraidthatifIstayed,Iwould dohorriblethingstothepeopleIlove,andIcouldn’tstandthat.”
Sheshifteduncomfortablyinherseat.“Butyouwon’tdohorriblethingsnow?” IpulledoffmygloveandtappedAriyon’sMavenmark “Ifeellikemyselfagain Incontrol Novoices,nonightmares,no angrypoweroutbursts.”
She staredatthe markas ifshe wantedtowill itaway,andIknew she hatedthatAriyonhadgivenittome,thathe had compromisedhisabilitytohealforme.
“IstillwanttoworkwithyouondefeatingMarissaandtheNightlings,”Itoldher. Shecrossedherarms,takingmeinwithashrewdgaze.“I’mnotsureIwantyourhelp,ifI’mbeinghonest.Ithoughtwehad trust.Youassuredmeyouweren’tgoingtogodark.Youpromisedifyoudid,youwouldtellme.Idon’thaveroomforanyone inmyBrigadewhomIfeelIhavetowatchmybackaround,”shesaidbluntly Herwordsstung,butIunderstoodwhereshewascomingfrom.
Sheneededtotrustme,andinorderforhertodothat,Ihadtolayitalloutthereforher Ihadtotellhereverything “WhenIwenttoseetheEaldorFaeaboutAriyon…hetoldmemyfuture.”
Shegasped.“Canthatbetrue?”
Inodded.“Iassureyou,itis.Heknewthingsonlysomeonewhoseesthefuturewouldknow.IgavehimmywordIwould tellnooneabouthisabilities.NotevenAriyonormyfatherknow.”
Solananodded,lookingserious “Iwilltakeittomygrave Iwenttoschoolwithsomeonewhocouldglimpsethefuture It’sverydelicatemagicthatnoteveryoneispowerfulenoughtocarry.”
IhopedshemeantthatbecauseEmmerictrustedmewithhistruth,andIdidn’twanttobetraythat “Hetoldmeexactlyhow tobreakAriyonoutoftheRealmofRebirth.HetoldmeIwouldgodark,buthealsotoldmeIwouldsaveeveryoneinThe GildedCity,”Isaid.
Solanasatupstraighterandcockedherheadtotheside “Hetoldyouthat?Thatyouwouldsaveeveryone?” Inodded.“HesaidthatIwouldsavetheentireGildedCitybutatgreatcost.” Solanafrowned “Whatcost?”
Iswallowedhard.“BeforeItellyou,Ineedyoutoswearyouwillnottellanyoneelse.Idon’tintendtotellmyfamilyor friends”
Herfrowndeepened.“Iswearitonmycrown.”
Inoddedandcontinued,“Hesaidthecostwouldbemylife,andthatwithintheyear,Iwouldbedead.”
QueenSolanagasped,herbrowknottingandcausinghertolookmucholder Silencestretchedbetweenus,andherconcernchangedtoshock.
“Soyouwon’thavetoworryaboutAriyon,”Isaid,tappingtheMavenmarkonmyhand “Thisistemporary” “Fallon,I…Idon’tknowwhattosay.Ishesure?TheEaldorfae?”
“He’ssure,”Isaidcalmly I’dcometotermswithitall
Sheblewairthroughherlips.“Yousureknowhowtogetmyheartpumping.” Ilaughed.“Well,hangon,thereismore.”Icaughtheruponwhathadhappenedthepreviousnight thatMarissahaddrunk frommeandseemedtobealivingbeingnowandpossiblymorepowerful,thoughAriyonhadcertainlyinjuredher Ialsotold herthatifMarissakilledSolanaandgotthatnecklace,alongwithmyblood,shehadawaytogiveherNightlingspermanent bodies
Solana’seyeswerewidetheentiretime.
“Well,Ineedadrink.”Shestoodandwalkedovertoacabinet,openingittorevealabottleofamberliquid.Afterpouring thefluidintheglass,shetookitbackinoneshot.Thenshecametositbackinfrontofme.
“Sowhatdowedo?”sheaskedme.“DidtheEaldorFaesayhowyouwinthebattle?”
Ishookmyhead,wonderingifBlairwasill.Maybeshewasheretolockmeinherbasementorpoisonme.Iwouldn’tput itpasthertohavesomelong,thought-outrevengeplot.Iwasstupidtoevencomehere.Shewasprobablytwosecondsfrom pinningmedownandshavingmy head
“Ishouldgo,actually…”IsaidasIslowlybackedoutofthekitchen.
“MymotheristheonewhomadetheoriginalprophesyabouttheupcomingNightlingwar,”Blairsaid,andthenbitintoher applewithasatisfyingcrunch.
Mymouthpoppedopenatherwords Hermother?TheoneQueenSolanaspokeof,whoshehadgonetoschoolwiththat couldglimpsethefuture?
Iwasspeechless.
Blairsteppedclosertome,herfacefallingalittle “Atfirst,everyonethoughtmymomwasthemostpowerfulfaeofher generation,thatshewastheretoglimpsethefutureandinformeveryoneoftheirfate.”
DarknesscastashadowoverBlair’sface,andIknewthisstorywouldnotendwell “Itturns outglimpsingthe future takes a toll.Lookingintothe future is dangerous for mymother.Witheachglimpse,she permanentlylosessomething hereyesight,health,mentalcapacities” Igasped.Ihadnoidea.“Oh,Blair,I’msosorry.”
She nodded. “Mymother was adopted, like you, found ina village outside Moonsreach. Theythinknow thatone ofher parentswasEaldorFaeandtheothermagicless That’swhereshegetsthegift,theEaldorFaeside” Istayedquiet.I’dneveroutEmmerictoBlair,nomatterhowvulnerableshewasbeing.
“ButitturnsoutwhenyoumixamagiclessandapowerfulEaldorFae,itdoesn’tworkoutflawlessly Themagictakesa toll,sucksthelifeoutofthepersonglimpsing.”
Mystomachsank.
Blairstaredatherappleasiflostinamemory.“Whenmyfather’sengagementtothequeendidn’tworkout,hechosethe next most powerful fae at The Academy. My mother.” Blair nodded as if to herself. “I don’t blame my father for being ambitious,buthe’snotgreatatstickingaroundwhenthingsgettough”
Shelookedupatme.“Doyouwanttomeether?Shehadavisionaboutyou,andshehasbeentalkingaboutyounonstopfor weeks”
Mymouthwentdry.Shewasalive?Iwasn’tsurewherethestorywasgoingtoend.Avisionaboutme?Thatthoughtscared me.Thelasttimesomeonehadavisionaboutmyfuture,theysawmedie.ButIwasn’tsureitcouldgetanyworsethanthat,so Inodded.
“Sure.I’dloveto,”Isaid,totallythrownforaloopatalloftheseevents.
Blairnodded “Shelivesintheguesthouseoutback Myfatherhidesherawayandsayssheisreclusive”
Myheartpinchedatthat.Herfathermadehiswifeliveseparatelyfromthem?
Ifollowedhertothebackdoor,whereshewavedtoabutler
“Goingtoseemymother,”shetoldhim,andhenoddedashedustedsomealready-cleansurface.
Whenwe stepped outside, Iwas blownawaybythe immaculate grounds and beautiful, light-pinkguesthouse witha teal frontdoor
“Mymomlikescolor.”Blairlookedatthehouseandsmiled.
“Hangonasecond,Blair,whyareyouactingso normalaroundme?Inthebeginningoftheschoolyear,youtriedtokill me,andIsetyourhaironfirenotthatlongago.You’reactinglikeitdoesn’tevenbotheryounow.Whatchanged?”
DidAriyontalktoher?
Shestoppedintheyardandsuckedinabigbreath,pickingathernails.“Whenyou…wentdarkanddisappeared,Ariyon beggedmymothertolookintowhereyouwere,ifyouwereokay,andhow hecouldfindyou.Hetoldheritwasessentialin winningthewaragainsttheNightlings,whichshehadprophesied”
Myheartsankintomychest.“No.”
Blairnodded “She’salwayshadasoftspotforAriyon Soshedidit Shegotweakerafterthat,butthat’snotthepoint” Shegavemeashylook.“Whenmymothertriedtofindwhereyouwere,shehadacompletelydifferentvisionaboutyouinthe future,andwell shesaidwewouldbefriends ish Imean,shesaidIwasgoingtohelpyou”
Whoa. Mymindwasspinning.BlairandI,friends?HermotherseemedtohavethesameabilityasEmmeric,butobviously ittookatollonhermagiclesshalf.
“I’dsayanythingispossible”IgaveBlairasmallsmile IwassogladYanricwasn’there,orhe’dpooponherheadfor evensuggestingitandthentrytopeckhereyesout.
“Listen,Ioweyouanapologytoo,”Blairsaid “IwasjealousofAriyon’sfascinationwithyou,andeverytimeIlookedat you,Ijustsawyourmotherandallofthehorriblethingsshedidtoourpeopleyearsago.”
Ibreathedasighofreliefattheheartfeltapology.“Thanksforthat.” Blairnodded.“Imean,wearen’tgoingtobebestiesoranything,butI’llhelpyouifIcan.” Ismirked.“Fairenough.”
