The three ofus sat around my mother’s cottage drinking peppermint tea, like something out of a storybook. It all felt so mundane. So casual. I missed this feeling, where I could finally breathe through the weights that crushed me and remember what it was like to be at peace.
If only for a moment.
I told her why we were here and about the Ashen Order, how I’d built upon our family’s seaside cottage and turned it into the fortress it was today. Everett and I took turns recounting some of our rescue missions, the people we’d saved, the children who lived at the Keep. I tried to keep it on the lighter side. Focusing on the growth we’d had and lives we’d given back, instead of all the horrific things I’d seen from the victims coming out of those cells.
Mother told us what she’d been doing the last five years as well. She spent many of the initial months in the mountains, trying to find a way to break through the border, but Scarven’s men were always there to stop her. Eventually, she settled into a new home, with one eye trained on Drakorum.
She had made friends, people she could trust and share her story with. She even had a booth at the village market selling recipes and spice mixtures—cooking had been a passion of hers for as long as I could remember.
But she was fighting too.
“There are a group of us here who have all had someone taken,” she explained, sipping her tea. “Every once in a while, more people pop up missing. They suspect it’s the Shifters. I’ve told them about Scarven’s past, about what he might be doing to thosepeople. Don’t worry, I know I have eyes on me.” She batted her hand in the air when I opened my mouth to warn her. “I know how to bediscreet, son. But these people are angry. They want to do something about it.”
I couldn’t stop my smirk. “My mama and her little rebel group with their tea and biscuits.”
She swatted my knee. “Everything can be solved with some tea and biscuits.”
My smile faded. How I wished that were true.
Everett set his cup down on the coffee table, and his hand gripped the edge. I looked over to see his jaw clench, and something in the air wavered like the flames of a candle.
We’d been here too long. He was straining to hold on to the amount of magic it took to maintain such a strong illusion.
My mother hadn’t missed it either. “You need to go, don’t you?”
“It’s fine,” Everett said through gritted teeth.
“No, it’s not. You need enough strength to get the two of you out of here without being seen.” Her tone was final, but her forehead pinched in sadness.
I wanted to argue, to stay in this cottage with my mother and let the world fall apart outside. But Scarven’s reach extended far, and I wouldn’t risk her safety again.
She seemed to read the war in my eyes. She always had been able to pick up on my emotions so easily. Her palms framed my cheeks one last time, firm and steady. “Go, my son. Do what you must. I’ll be here when you return.”
I swallowed hard, then leaned forward to kiss her forehead. “We’re going to bring you home, Mama. I won’t fail you again.”
“Oh, Nox.” Tears swam in her navy gaze. “You haveneverfailed me. It’s your father and I who failedyou. We should have done more to protect you all those years ago.”
“It doesn’t matter. I’m going to fix it.” I pressed a kiss to her palm still clutching my face. “I’m going to get Vera back too, I promise.”
Everett tugged at my arm. “It’s slipping, Nox. I can’t hold it for much longer.”
Mother released me. Walking to her front door and down those steps felt like someone digging a hook into my heart and dragging me. She grabbed my hand one last time as we turned our backs on the cottage.
“I love you, son,” she whispered.
“I love you, Mama.” The backs of my eyes burned, a lump forming in my throat.
“I’m sorry,” Everett said quietly as we slipped into the evening air. “I tried to keep it going as long as I could.”
“You were amazing, Everett. This time…it was a gift.” I cleared my throat. “I can never thank you enough. But I need to ask one more favor.” He glanced at me warily. “Go back to the training grounds and don’t tell anyone about this.”
“And where areyougoing?”
I sighed, steeling myself for what was to come. “Scarven has a job for me to do while I’m here.” I grabbed his forearm before turning away. “And…keep an eye on Devora. Make sure she’s safe. I’ll see you in a couple days.”
24
Devora
