Rubbing his beard, Oslo smiles. “Serafina was a smart woman, smarter than I think anyone gave her credit for. Decades before Kaden was born, we were visited by the High Priest ofSeti. As you’re aware, the Cult ofSetionly appears when there is a funeral that must be presided over.”
“They only go where they’re needed.” The God of the Dead could only speak to his High Priest, and as such would instruct him in which rites to precede over. Not everyone received them and no one knew where the cult waited until they showed up.
I saw them once. A band of individuals in dark cloaks, covered in mourning shrouds, but I never saw their faces. They gave last rites to Nessa and vanished after.
“Correct. This time, they did not come to give last rights. The Priest came with a message for my sister-in-law. That one day, she would bear a child who would break the world for love. The High Priest told her when that day would come, the child would have to choose—forfeit his soul or hers. Of course, Serafina didn’t understand it. Who would? But she would not be deterred and set to figure it out.
“As luck would have it, she became pregnant with Kaden shortly after the cult left.”
“The Priest knew about Kaden?”
Oslo nods. “When he was born, he had these black eyes.” He gestures to his face. “He was the first child born in centuries with magic. Zelos wanted very little to do with him because of the curse,but I worked with Serafina. We assumed the magic in the boy had something to do with the priest’s message. We tried for decades to find him again, to gain more information, a way to help Kaden, but the cult never resurfaced.”
He sighs tiredly, leaning against the rock wall. “But in our despair, we found other things.”
“Such as?”
“Such as a prophecy.” He glances to me, and I stiffen, body locking.
The only prophecy I knew of was the one the Mad Witch foretold to my mother, years ago. Smoothing my hands over my legs, I look everywhere but the general. “What prophecy?”
“I believe you’ve heard of it. ‘For she who is born of life and death, will wield them both.’” I try not to fidget with my training leathers, pulling on a loose string, but it’s a losing battle. He laughs gently. “I thought as much. Kaden doesn’t know about this, by the way.”
Exhaling, my shoulders sag, relief evident. He didn’t know. He wasn’t keeping me to use me. I’m only here because of my powers, because of Zelos’ need to have power.
Callous eyes look up. “If he doesn’t know, how doyou?”
He taps his nose. “I’m an old Fae, Max. I know many things. For instance, I know the prophecy is much longer than just the one line the Mad Witch told you.”
At my alarmed look, the wily old man claps hands over his middle, smiling. “My dear, when Kaden told me he was in the Shifter village and you met with the Mad Witch, it was easy to put two and two together. I’m not a general just for my pretty face.”
Silently, I recline, copying the general. “And what do you want from me?”
Oslo shakes his head, smiling. “Very little, niece. Only to help you.”
I narrow my eyes, distrusting his motivations.
No one wants to help out of the kindness of their head. Not in theBlack Palace. Not with war about to break out. Even Kaden admits to selfishly claiming me because he wanted me.
“Let’s say I believe you. How would you help me?”
“You agree to train with me.” At my confused look, he waves his hands over the grounds. “To use your magic. I taught Kaden to control his, and I learned to control my beast with no help. I already know Fee is training you physically, which is a good choice. Fee is the strongest warrior we have. But only I can help you control that blood magic.”
My fingers curl under my pants, hiding the blush on my fingers. I don’t hear his heart, but my magic is there, humming for release. It’s been this way for days—a tease of my magic with no way of accessing it. “Your nephew drugged me. I don’t have a way to use my magic.”
Oslo sighs, looking at me silently. A fatherly look, he’s waiting for me to admit to stealing the last biscuit before breakfast.
“The magic is returning,” he tells me, nodding. “Soon, it’ll be too much. The emotions, the push of the magic. I assume it’s been that way your whole life? Magic can be many things… sentient, passive. Kaden’s fought him, refused to come and he had to learn to unlock the key to using it. Yours wants to use you. If that is the case, you’ll need guidance. And preferably, before you kill someone and my brother throws you back in the dungeon, or puts you to death for it.”
Swallowing, I hold up my hands, assessing them.
Control. Real control. Not what Nessa tried to instill in me—not fear—but confidence. I could actually use my magic for good. “If we do this, you’ll tell me about the prophecy?”
“On my honor.”
Exhaling, I nod. Just once. Just enough for him to understand how hard this is for me. How hard it is to trust a Dark Fae after so much upheaval, so much betrayal.
“But don’t tell Kaden. Or Zelos.” I don’t want him to drug me again. I don’t want anything being passed that I can access my magic. I’ll be just a weapon again. Not… whatever I was last night.
