All of us in the Shadow Beast’s world.
In his pack.
We’d found each other for a reason, and together we would figure out how to save Tabitha.
This was her chance at a true life and family. I refused to let it be stolen away.
Even if, in the end, it cost me my life.
For my daughter, it was a sacrifice I was willing to make.
32
LEN
Leaving Samantha and Tabitha in the care of my mother, when they were existing between life and death, was what I would test alldifficultmoments in my lifeagainst. I’d have rather carved out a vital organ to leave behind, but I also knew that they were safer in Faerie, and I could move faster without trying to keep them with me.
In truth, I needed to move faster than I ever had before and return to my second home, the Library of Knowledge. Then find my pack and hope that once I explained the dangers of the Deep Origin of Faerie, they’d still agree to help me.
They might be the only hope we had. Their unique blend of powers should allow them to survive the fires of the Deep. Not just fire, but there were rumors of frost, water, and creatures. There was a reason that no one went down there, despite the many riches and gems that existed in the depths.
“Give me her energy, son,” Mother said in a gentle voice. Of the fae here, she was the only one who knew how close I was to losing my shit completely.
“Keep them safe. Please.” The words were strangled, but I got them out.
“I will guard them with my life,” she promised me. “They’re my family too, and you know I’d go to the depths of the underworld for my family.”
I had no doubt that she would. I’d seen it in my youth when any threatened the Silver Lands, especially the royal family. “Thank you,” I told her, tapping my hand against my chest.
When I removed my hand, I sent with it the connection I had to Samantha and Tabitha, passing them across to the queen. My chest ached as I caressed their shimmery cages one last time, before I spun and took off. I couldn’t look back or I’d never be able to leave, and I had to ensure that their lives were saved.
Fredrick, the stupid fuck that he was, got in my way as I was racing from the courtroom. Before he even opened his fucking mouth, I swung my fist and slammed it as hard as I could into his face. He dropped to his knees, a garbled cry squeaking out from his shattered jaw. The look in his eyes indicated I’d taken him completely by surprise. He was used to being the largest fae around, but I was a close second, and my power destroyed his.
“Keep him fucking detained until I return,” I roared over my shoulder as I continued from the room. I had no time to deal with Fredrick this day, but I would soon.
For now, my only focus was on saving Samantha and Tabitha.
When I exited the building, I reached the edge of the land and called the gems down, needing their boost of energy for extra speed. It was also on my mind to conserve my own power, as I’d need every iota of it in The Deep of Faerie.
It was really too much of me to ask my family to help with this, but they were the only ones who might survive it. There was also the small issue of that line being cut in Faerie, possibly destroying our world, and in a ricocheting effect, the rest of the worlds. For that reason alone, I had to tell them.
Once I reached my garden, I was able to call up a doorway to the library. Racing through, I burst into the familiar room, the scent of power and books surrounding me. No fae lingered in our section, which wasn’t a surprise, since they’d have responded to the trumpets initiated by my mother.
Pushing out into the main thoroughfare, I found Shadow’s energy immediately. He was in the dining hall with Mera and Aurora.
Aurora.
I ground to a halt, my heart slamming against my fucking chest as I wrestled with my next actions. In my blind panic over Sam and Tabby, I’d forgotten that my family also had young to care for—to raise into a powerful new generation of supernaturals.
This was too much to ask of them.
To either leave their babies behind, or take them and risk the dangers down there.
I would have to figure out another way. Maybe there was still a fae alive with knowledge of the Great Queen, one not impacted by the lack of memory we all had of her.
If I asked the right questions, there might be answers out there.
As I was turning to return to Faerie, a burst of fire surrounded me. My energy didn’t react defensively since I knew exactly who it was from.
