“That’s what I thought you’d say.”
“And is that...a problem?” It shouldn’t be, but the look on Norah’s face made Bree’s muscles tense.
“I closed the Faerie Ring,” Norah said. “I used the power of my mother’s sword, and I closed it. I thought that was the only way to protect Otherworld.”
It took a moment for Norah’s words to sink in. She hadn’t known that Taveon had dragged Bree through the Faerie Ring, and so she’d closed it to keep the dark fae out of Underworld.
“Maybe it didn’t work?” Bree asked. “Because I clearly had no trouble going through it.”
Norah shook her head. “Nope. It worked. I tested it after I closed it. So did Kael. Neither one of us could go through it anymore.”
“I don’t understand. If you closed it, how was I able to go through it that day?”
“Exactly.” Norah stared into Bree’s eyes, her words heavy with meaning.
But Bree didn’t fully follow. “Someone else must have opened it then, right? But who?”
“Youdid.”
Bree blinked. “But I didn’t, Norah. All I did was walk through.”
“Here’s my theory. I think you did it unintentionally, which means you don’t really know how to control it yet, but we can work on that. You were able to walk through becauseyouopened it.”
Unease whispered through her. “If it took the power of your mother’s sword to close the Faerie Ring, then I could not have just reopened it by walking through it, Norah. I’m—”
“You’re what?” Norah asked, brow arching. She held up her fingers and started ticking them off. “You’re human. You’re a light fae. You’re a Redcap, which makes you also a dark fae. And you know what else you are because of the magic you drew from Taveon?”
“I am not a demon,” Bree whispered.
“You’re a demon the same way you’re a light fae. You’ve drawn the power of it into your body. That’s good enough.”
Bree snorted. “There’s nothing about that I would callgood.”
“No?” Norah smiled. “You hold the power of all four realms. That’s something no one else has. You can freely walk between worlds. You can open gates. I’d bet a million bucks you can close them, too.”
Realization slammed into her. “That’s what this is about. You think I’ll be able to close the gates and stop the demons from getting through.”
“Exactly.”
“Only problem is, Norah, they’re already here.”
Her hearted pounded as she turned to gaze at the approaching army. She could see the front lines now. Towering, horned creatures stomped forward with swords the size of her entire body. The stench of death rushed toward them like acrid smoke. Wincing, Bree turned away. If the demons attacked, this castle would fall, regardless of how well fortified it was.
“See what I mean,” Norah said quietly. “We have no choice but to find a way to close the gates and merge the fae realms again.”
“And you think I’m the one who can do that.”
“I wish I could say no. You’ve been through so much.” Norah grasped her hand and held tight with shaking fingers. “But it’s you, Bree. You’re the one who has to save us all.”
“But you’re Norah. You’re the Queen of Otherworld and—”
“I have done my part. It’s time for you to do yours.”
Bree’s chest burned as Norah’s words rattled inside her brain. Her veins rushed with power. With every step she took, she could feel it all, a connection to all of the realms. She’d known it was there for weeks, and yet she’d never considered what that actually meant.
They were all a part of her, and she was a part of them. If anyone could close the damn gates, it would be someone just like her.
Not someonelikeher, she told herself.
