The queen grinned. “We will create a race of protectors for humanity in Thomas’ name. We will call them theskyborn.”
My mother looked resigned. “The high council of druids will kill you for this. I can’t protect you from themall.”
The queen lowered her sword. “I just don’t careanymore.”
Then they walked out of the room together, leaving Eva, Danny, and I to stare at the empty room inshock.
“Holy shit,” Danny exclaimed next to me. “That washeavy.”
Before I could reply, Eva pulled us back to the bus. The nausea hit me and I was swirling up, down and around, before slamming into mybody.
As soon as I felt the solid floor beneath my feet, I opened my eyes. We three just sat there in complete silence for a moment, staring at the copper ball and all of the secrets itheld.
“Well?” Sophie asked, and I finally looked up to face themall.
I nodded. “My mom was the queen of Faery’s right-handwoman.”
“Holy shit.” Sophie was appraising me with newfound respect. “My God, I’ll bet she’s looking down on your fighting skills with such disappointment,” shejoked.
I gave a fake laugh, and then Nadine coaxed Sophie into telling stories she knew of the battle druid. It gave me time to gather mythoughts.
‘What did you see?’Logan’s soft voice prodded lovingly in myhead.
I rubbed my temples.‘A queen on the edge of despair, blinded by love and grief. My mother throwing all caution to the wind out of loyalty. It was … crazy and sad to see her again. To know she lived this whole other life and never toldme.’
Tears welled in my eyes but I brushed them away. To hear her laugh again… it was worth it, even if it brought immense pain withit.
‘She clearly loved you beyond all others. She lied to hide you, and keep you safe. Keep you out of the dangers of thislife.’
‘I know.’Still, it was unsettling. All those times I asked her about normal stuff like the weather and math … I should have asked her what it felt like to create the skyborn by the queen’sside.
‘I can’t believe Marcus fell in love with the queen’s battle druid. I should have listened to him when he said she was different.’Just as I couldn’t forget my mother lying to me, Logan couldn’t let his past with Marcusgo.
I stood; Logan opened his arms and I stepped into them, pinning him against the back of the seat with my hips. “If I’m not allowed to dwell on the past, then neither areyou.”
He smiled softly and leaned forward to kiss me, brushing lightly against my lips. When we pulled away, I looked into his eyes without saying a word. This moment, it was hard to explain to anyone else. Having a mate was this completeness I’d never felt inlife.
The bus slowed and then pulled to a stop in front of a small house. “This is it,” Isaacstated.
“I’m going!” Sophie shouted, and pushed her way to thefront.
“Me too!” Keegandeclared.
“More skyborn? Me three!” Nadine declaredexcitedly.
I put out a hand to stop them all, stepping into the aisle before them. “You guys, we don’t know for sure what these addressesare!”
Sophie stuck out her bottom lip into a pout. “But if there’s more skyborn … you have to let us help!” She put her hands into prayer pose. “Pleeeeaaase.”
Sophie begging was something I could get usedto.
I rolled my eyes. “Logan and I will go to the door. You guys can wait on the lawn, and I’ll call you forward if I need yourhelp.”
Sophie frowned. “Fine,” she said, with a two-year-old’sgusto.
The sound of cocking guns and sliding clips pulled my attention to the back, where Dominic stood with Hemlock at his feet. “If there’s trouble, I’m ready.” Hewinked.
Good to know.Inodded.
