He nodded. “Yes. That’s also why I stayed with them to seek information.”
Logan rubbed his chest. The Realm guys should’ve called with more intel on Mercy by now. He tried to concentrate. His brother was in danger, for sure. “You stayed to find out if they had any inkling where it is?”
“Right. The place was lost when the universe split last time—when the Fae lost most of their people.” Sam’s eyes burned a deep green again. “They have no idea where it is now.”
Logan’s phone buzzed, and he yanked it free of his pocket. “Kyllwood.”
“Hey, Lo. It’s Benny.” Loud traffic sounded through the line. “We had an impromptu meeting and decided we needed to get the show on the road here before your Fae buddies figure out a way to stop us—especially since they’re aligning with those bastard Cyst dickheads. Adare is working on the location now. How do you feel about undergoing the ritual tomorrow? Becoming one of the Seven?”
Logan’s head lifted. “I’m ready.”
“Good. You’re a decent bloke, Kyllwood. I sure hope you don’t die.” Benny clicked off.
“Me, too,” Logan muttered into the dead phone.
Chapter 33
Mercy landed lightly at their hidden headquarters on an island off the Scottish mainland and let Niall fall from her grasp. He bounced twice on the floor.
“Good. You’re here.” President Dawn looked up from her seat behind her desk, a wide, hand-cut marble work of art. Her light eyebrows rose. “King? What in the world happened to you?” She stood and moved around the desk, her high heels making no sound on the priceless Persian rug.
Niall stood and dusted off his pants. “Had a run-in with a Kyllwood and a Kayrs.” He looked at Mercy. “Thank you for the ride.”
She pressed her hands to her hips, finally letting her anger free. At him, at Logan, at the entire universe. She’d just betrayed Logan Kyllwood, and no doubt that was a mistake most people didn’t make twice. “You’re lucky my ability came back in time. How could you have me tased?”
“That was my idea,” the president said. “We weren’t quite sure about your plan—you do disobey orders regularly.”
That might be true, but come on. A taser? “It took longer than I thought to regain my ability.” Now wasn’t the time to yell at them. She needed them to listen to her. The Seven might be right about the Kurjans’ ability to release Ulric and rip apart the prison world. The Fae needed to work with the Seven. “Do you trust me now?” she demanded.
Niall glanced at the roaring fire shining bright from the marble fireplace. “Yes. President Dawn, I was tased, and Mercy saved me. She brought me here and away from the Seven, who surely want me dead.” He looked down at his stained clothing. “I’ll go get changed.” He flexed his hands. “And healed.”
Mercy bit her tongue. If Logan had wanted Niall dead, the king would be dead. Now wasn’t the time to argue that point, however.
“What did you learn from Sam Kyllwood?” the president asked.
“Not much. I took pictures of his back, but the design is the same as those of Keepers from the past.” Niall prodded the bruises on his neck that looked like finger marks. Logan’s fingers. “He wouldn’t give up the location of the sacred circle. No matter what I did to him.”
Mercy shuddered. “Do you really want to get into a torture contest with Realm soldiers?”
“I wouldn’t mind.” The door opened, and the largest male she’d ever seen walked in. He stood nearly seven feet tall and had purplish-green eyes, startling white skin, and blood-red lips. One strip of white hair went from the middle of his forehead in a braid down his thick back.
Icicles pricked beneath Mercy’s skin. She swallowed. Aye, she’d figured out her people had aligned with them. That was her next bone of contention with Niall and the president. But this? “You’ve brought the Cyst here?” It was one thing to align themselves with the soldiers, and quite another to trust them.
“Of course,” the Cyst soldier said. He wore an all-black uniform with silver medals across his left breast. “I’m General Xeno.” He half bowed. “We will help you take down the Seven. More blood will be spilled, more bones broken, that I promise you.”
Mercy whirled on the president. “What are you thinking?” Her voice shook.
The president narrowed her gaze. “I’m doing my job.” She smoothed out her expression and focused on the general. “Our intel shows the Seven regrouping—somewhere in the cliffs of Oregon. We should have a definite location soon. I have battle plans to share.”
Mercy hitched in air. “You don’t mean—”
Niall grasped her arm. “Excuse us. I’d like a word with my mate. I’ll return after a quick shower.” Nodding at the general, he all but dragged Mercy from the room.
She was too stunned to stop him. The president was actually going to help the Cyst go after the Seven, during the ritual. She’d suspected it, but hearing the plan confirmed made her want to vomit. The danger for Logan had increased. How could she save him?
They traveled down the castle tunnels to Niall’s quarters, and he shoved her inside.
She stumbled and righted herself. How was she going to rescue Logan? She had to convince Niall to work with her. Maybe he could talk the president into abandoning her insane plan. “This is crazy, Niall.”
