“To replace the one that fell into the sea.” She gave me a meaningful look. “Can’t very well have you going on a spy mission without your gift to back youup.”
Every fae is born with one power, magical or otherwise. Mine is skill with the blade. No one had ever bested me in a one-on-one sword fight. Not even the Queenherself.
I smiled and propped the sword against the wall. “Thanks. Mind if I ask yousomething?”
“You can always ask me anything. You know that. I might be the Queen, but I am first and foremost yourfriend.”
I swallowed hard and stared at the floor. That was why this entire thing was so difficult. “Why are you sendingme? Why not one of the other guards? I’m good at swinging steel. Notspying.”
Amusement flickered in her eyes. “How can you say you’re not good at spying when you’ve just sneaked into Pack headquarters and found out a mysterious fae from Scotland is making plans to steal the crown fromme?”
I opened my mouth, but then snapped it shut. “Okay, you have a point,but…”
Clark stepped forward and put her hand on my shoulder, squeezing tight. “But what,Moira?”
“You keep sending me out on missions, away from the Court,” I said insistently. “I swore an oath to protect you. The best place I can do that is here. By yourside.”
Clark’s smile dimmed. “I thought filling up your time would give you some purpose. You haven’t been yourself since Elisedied.”
Elise. My heart constricted, and I closed my eyes. The pain still felt as fresh as it had the day Nemain, a sociopath fae hellbent on the throne, had murdered her. That day, it had felt like half of my soul had been ripped away from me. It had never comeback.
“I think it would be good for you to get out of London,” Clark continued. “Besides, I don’t trust anyone with this mission more than I trust you. You’re the best of us,Moira.”
I winced and tried to give her a smile. Little did she know, I was anythingbut.
* * *
Itookthe train to Edinburgh. The Court was wealthy enough to afford the flight, but the rail had far less of a paper trail. I’d left my brunette wig in the bin and had gone for natural makeup. The traitor—which was what I was calling him in my head now—had only seen me for a fleeting second, but I didn’t want to take any chances he would remember a dark-haired fae lurking in theloo.
When I stepped off the train and onto the platform at the station, a heavy mist immediately descended all around me. A chill sank deep into my bones. I buried my hands in the pockets of my leather jacket and turned my feet toward thecastle.
The formidable castle that loomed over Edinburgh was home to House Athaira, the first stop on my tour of hunting down traitors. If he lived in this area, then he was most likely one of the many fae who called the castle home. Back when there had been seven courts instead of one, House Athaira had been part of the Court in London. They had always been loyal to the crown. For the most part. They’d sat idly by while Nemain had attacked usall.
Maybe it was because they’d been plotting against us all thistime.
As I approached the castle, it was all I could do not to stop and stare. It was an impressive sight. Squatting on top of ancient volcanic rock, the stone fortress was protected by sheer cliffs and tall battlements that stretched all around. A slight tremor went through me. I had next to no idea what I would be walking into, and the place looked far more ominous in person than it did in the photographs I’d studied on thetrain.
With a deep breath, I continued the climb up the stairs and across the ancient cobblestones. Finally, I reached the castle. The arching double doors of the gatehouse were shut tight. On either side, flickering torches lit up the night. Over the door, three tiny windows looked down on where I stood. The middle window was covered by an elaborate shield, decorated with a sigil. One I’d never seen before. It was a cloaked figure surrounded by a fullmoon.
I strode forward and eyed the gargoyle knocker. Its teeth were bared and claws outstretched. Frowning, I tried to push open the door, but it wouldn’t budge. So, I tried a knock instead. A moment later, the heavy wooden monstrosity creaked open to reveal a petite brunette fae with purple eyes. Eyes that I swore looked deep into mysoul.
She gave me a glance from head to toe before resting her gaze on the sword sticking out of my bag, still hidden in the folds of the black cloth. “What are you doing here? You aren’t a House Athairafae.”
What agreeting.
“Nope. I’m a solitary fae. I’m sick of being on the run, and I want to check out yourHouse.”
The fae’s nose scrunched up. Solitary fae weren’t exactly popular. Outcasts and outsiders, they spent their lives alone. It was a terrible way for them to live, partially because the magic kept them from having access to the full strength of their power. Just like the shifters, we did better as a pack. Being solitary meant existing. Being part of the Court meant youthrived.
“I’m sorry. I can’t let you inside,” she said in a strong Irish accent. She took a step back and made a move to close thedoor.
“Wait.” I stuck out my boot to stop her from shutting me out completely. “At least let me talk to yourMaster.”
She sniffed. “You mean KingLugh.”
I tried to hide my surprise. There were noKingsanymore. No Princes or Princesses. Only Masters. They kept things chugging along at their individual Houses and reported directly to the Queen. And this fae did not want me to come inside. Alarm bells clanged in my head. Something strange was going on in Scotland alright. And that something started righthere.
“Erm,” I said slowly. “I thought the leaders of the Houses were calledMasters.”
