I shook my head and slammed the loo door on his face. My heart raced so fast that I had to sag against the wall to catch my breath. What the hell was wrong with me? So, I’d been caught spying on Anderson’s visitor. No big deal. A nosy shifter kitten would have done the same bloodything.
Their conversation echoed in my mind. Forget about photographic evidence. I needed to get back to the Court. That fae was plotting against the Queen. And judging from the look of him, he wasn’t going to be easy tobeat.
2
Istoodin the throne room before the Queen, also known as the Morrigan. Or, in my case, just Clark. We’d been friends before she’d ascended to her throne two years ago, and I rarely followed the protocol of titles. She didn’t mind, and it was one of the things I liked about her. She’d give her left arm—and then her right one for good measure—for any of us, and then she’d buy us apint.
“Moira, what’s wrong?” She stood from her place on the fae throne, a carved wooden chair with a pair of raven wings that flared out on either side. It signified her bond with the birds. Clark was half-shifter instead of full fae. Most of us didn’t mind, but some still did. Like this mysterious male I’d run into at thefort.
I’d tossed the brunette wig in the bin on my way to the throne room, and my golden locks hung in loose waves around my shoulders. “I found out what Anderson is up to. You’re probably going to want to call in theothers.”
She searched my eyes and then turned to the male beside her. Her husband, Balor Beimnech. The two of them were mated, giving them a bond that most fae spent their entire lives dreamingof.
Not me. I hoped I never met mymate.
Muscular and brimming with power, Balor was one of the strongest living fae alive. Clark gave him a slight nod, and he strode out of the room without anotherword.
A moment later, he returned. With him, he’d brought the “managers” of the royal guard stationed in London. Kyle, a skinny, wiry male who was our resident computer expert. Ondine and Eoin, who took care of general security matters and paperwork, and Ronan, who wasn’t even a fae. He was full shifter, a wolf like the others, but he’d sworn his allegiance toClark.
There were many more members of the royal guard than this, but they were on duty, patrolling the grounds, watching the security cameras. Some were on missions, like the one I’d just done, to keep on top of supernaturalactivities.
Clark gave a solemn nod to each of the guard team. “Moira has some news she’d like all of us tohear.”
I took a deep breath and filled them in on everything I’d heard. It didn’t take long for the team to start peppering me withquestions.
Who washe?
Is he part of HouseAthaira?
What else did hesay?
I threw up my hands. “I don’t know. He was literally on his way out the door, and I couldn’t exactly ask Anderson these questions. He was suspicious enough when they spotted meeavesdropping.”
“What about the name of the cauldron?” Clark asked. “If we could find that out, Kyle could do some research for us. It is obviously linked to this plot against thecrown.”
I shook my head. “They never said it outloud.”
“Right.” Clark nodded. “It’s settled then. “We need someone to go to Scotland and find out what they’re planning. Find out what this cauldron is and make sure they don’t get it. And Moira, I would like that someone to beyou.”
* * *
Back in my room,I packed my bag. I didn’t need much. Just a few changes of clothes and my toiletries. Even if I ended up staying longer than a few days, a spy mission wasn’t the kind of trip where hauling around a heavy suitcase was verypractical.
I glanced around when I was done, heart constricting. This place was my home. At the Court’s home base in London, several hundred fae resided in the old Battersea Power Station that had been renovated into a beautiful residential complex. It was kind of like university halls, only fancier. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the sparkling lights of London, and a four poster bed hunkered beside antique artwork I’d collected over theyears.
I’d lived here for a very long time. Everything I knew, everyone I cared about, washere.
I didn’t want to leave, even if it was for only a littlewhile.
A light knock sounded on my open door, and Clark poked her head through. Thick, wavy strands of brilliant red fell into hereyes.
“Mind if I have a moment?” she askedquietly.
I waved her inside. “‘Course not. I’m glad you cameby.”
She strode through the door and handed me a thin, long object wrapped in a black cloth. As soon as I felt the weight of it in my hands, magic zoomed through my veins, giving me a sudden burst ofadrenaline.
“A sword.” I arched a brow. “An old one, if the feel of it is anyindication.”
