“Stripping away magic, and memories of it,” I add. “So that no one could remember it.”
“Unfortunately, the Humans were corrupted by the allure of magic. Effy has a wicked tongue.” Mal’s head tilts, listening to us without turning. “The theory was, if we erased magic from the minds of all creatures, and hid it away, the fighting would stop.”
“It did for a time,” Reid comments lightly. “Oslo said the kingdoms were at peace, in those old bedtime stories he used to recite. Then, the Humans grew greedy.”
“A terrible habit of their kind.” Baris sneers. “It doesn’t take much to corrupt them. Effy chose well.”
Mal’s ear twitches again, but he remains silent.
“But the curse was layered,” Baris continues, helping me over a fallen log rotted from time. “The first crack happened when Max bonded to Kaden to help him control his beast.”
Stumbling, I fall against a large trunk. “That broke the curse?”
“Fractured it,” he corrects. “You must fully break his curse for Neith’s curse to dissolve. Then, comes the next layer.”
“Which is?”
Baris licks his lips, carefully choosing his words. “To break Neith’s curse, you must destroy what she tied to it. In her case, the source of the corruption and strife.”
Reid cracks his neck as we break the forest. “And what is that, old wise one?”
I scan the empty area before us. Grass doesn’t grow, trees do not shade us and no flowers bloom. It’s as if the life has been sucked from the land, another ring to prevent anyone from coming too close to the mountains.
My father sighs. “Effy.” His wings flutter as we all turn to look at him.
“She’s still alive?”
“Is this a Fairy thing?” Reid asks. “You all live exceptionally long lives?”
Baris glares at the prince. “I am a High Priest ofSeti, my life is extended due to his influence, butyes, Fairies live long lives. Effy, though, relies on dark magic to continue her reign.”
Not only do I have to save Kaden, but I can’t save the world until I break his curse. Knowing that Effy is centuries older than a simple Fae makes all of this much more difficult.
She must know everything. She hasseeneverything. Does that mean she will be impossible to defeat?
One thing at a time.My main concern is Kaden.
“How does she do that?” I ask, walking further into the blackened path. Everything is burnt, as if fire ravaged the lands. “From what does she draw her dark magic from?”
My body hits a wall, jerking back. It sears my flesh, like a blazing dagger is dragged over my skin, but nothing is there.
In the distance are rows of bushes, with black roses lining their inky foliage.The barrier.It’s invisible to the eye, but there, keeping all beings out.
“The curse,” he says plainly. “As long as the curse continues tofeed off the Dark Fae royals, it gives her life. If you can break Kaden’s curse, she’ll no longer be invincible. You’ll be able to kill her.”
“If she doesn’t kill you first,” Reid mutters. “Being an ancient Fairy with dark magic means she won’t be easy to defeat.”
Exactly my thoughts.“Thanks.”
“No problem.”
“That’s a matter for another time,” Baris direct, pointing into the air. “The first concern is accessing the roses.”
The barrier shines with magic and purpose, keeping us from crossing the line. In the charred dirt there is a deep divot, showing the barrier goes down too far to dig under.
“Can you fly over it?”
Baris shakes his head. “It’s all encompassing.”
