All five rulers tensed at that name.
Chills ran up my spine, a shiver wracking my frame.
The Judge of Shadows had the ability to write in shadows, only seen if viewed correctly. And the Judge of Shadows was all but a legend, a scary story we told our young about to keep them in bed at night. The greatest of the living Fae, a witch created by the original dark and light Fae rulers, to keep the peace between their people. If the Judge of Shadows was real and was involved in our realms’ quests…this truly was not good. The Judge of Shadows’ court members were even said to be mightier than the Fae rulers themselves, their trials of objectivity all-consuming.
Queen Mikko stared off to the side, her forehead wrinkled in thought. “The Fae have their own quests…”
King Elon’s eyes slammed to the Misfits, and his lips thinned brutally. “Is our realm on trial for crimes that we, the rulers, don’t even know about?”
“From what we’ve heard, it is not this realm that has committed the crime.” Red Louie smirked.
The brown mist of Queen Mikko’s eyes spun fast, her delicate, refined caster accent quiet. “How are we involved then? Explain, please.”
Red Louie shrugged a thin, green shoulder. “The Fae we came across recently were not helpful with any other information.”
King Athon licked over his top teeth in a sneer. “You aren’t being dishonest with us, are you, Louie?”
“Of course not.” Red Louie shrugged again.
My eyes narrowed on the gremlin.He was lying.
He added, “But if I were, it would be for the betterment of the realm. This is my home now, too.”
The King of Shiftersgrowledsoftly. “We would rather know what we are facing.”
“That is too bad.” Red Louie winked at him. “You will know in due time, asfateallows it.”
King Athon flashed his tiger fangs at that final, condescending answer. “If it turns out you’ve withheld pertinent information that would help this realm, your Fae-made brother will not take that well. I hope you are choosing wisely, Louie.”
King Elon hissed, “Yes, I concur.”
“I would like to watch those proceedings if they occur.” Queen Alora glared, furious with the little information we had been given.
“Louie would stop me before it even happened. But I am humbled by your worry for me.” Red Louie…winked again.
I shuddered in my chair.Gross.
With his face still pressed against a page of the ancient tome, Black Louie stated, “I must read now.” His Fae-made brown eyes roamed the page, the dark Fae stating, “When the moon kisses the sun, you will begin your journey.”
King Traevon resituated himself on his chair, eager to be gone—and uncomfortable as Fairy. “The eclipse. It happens in ten days.” He waved his right hand for the gremlin to continue reading. He demanded brutally, “Faster, Louie.”
My shoulders relaxed—somewhat. I had ten days to study.
In the same tone and speed, Black Louie read aloud, “The third artifact will be found in the Caster Kingdom where the tree cries for revenge and the dark water runs red.” He flipped a page and pressed his face against it again, his large eyes scanning. He droned, “Beware the sex that avenges the rejected Fae, for only those who are bonded may enter the den of debauchery without death seducing their name.”
I nibbled on my bottom lip with my right fang, slowly turning my attention to the Queen of Casters—just as her enemies were doing, their expressions dark. As politely as I could manage, I asked, “Your Royal Highness, is prostitution occurring in your kingdom?”
It. Was. Fucking. Illegal.In all kingdoms.
This rule of our realm had been put in place more than three thousand years ago to stop the abuse taking place against those selling their bodies for coin.
Queen Mikko wore no expression, her gaze sluggish while blinking as if she were in shock. “I…”
The terrible silence extended as we waited.
King Athongrowled. “Queen Mikko, do you or do you not, have men-for-hire and women-for-hire in the Caster Kingdom?”
Her dark brows creased on her petite face. She shook her head quickly, muttering in horror, “I did not think so. I’ve not even heard rumors of such.”
