“Fine, blood summoner.” She points at me, fangs drifting over her bottom lip. “But if we die, I’m making your life a living Hell in the Underworld.”
Turning to Mal, I ask, “Any ideas?”
“You assume she talks to me. I’m not Fenrir.”
I sigh, looking to the ceiling.He has a point.Only the heir would probably know.
He seemed strange last we spoke—besides the whole throwing me into the dungeon thing. It’s as if his whole self has been erased and he’s someone different.
Much like Kaden.
“Find Fenrir,” I command, eyes unfocused. “If we find him, we may be able to discover where the spell book hides.”
“You think Aoife is using him to hide it?”
I shrug. “Or he’s seen it. He is her favorite. I have a suspicion that whatever she did to Kaden is the same to Fenrir.”
“He did seem weird in the throne room,” Reid says, rubbing his chin.
Going back through the servants passages, we stay silent. The lower we go, the closer to other Fae we get. Any guard who sees us will turn us in. Any servant might discover us and run to Aoife for a reward. We can’t risk it.
Once back on the main level, Mal checks the hall, allowing us to dart across to an empty room. Other than the same gold walls, there are a few tables covered in sheets, and a large map in the far back. It lists out the Fae kingdoms, and theIn-Between.
Layla walks over to it, studying the parchment in the darkness. Her fingers trail theIn-Between, following the long, dotted boundary. I never realized how big it was, and why it would only be for the Fairies. It’s in the hardest places to travel on foot, that one would need wings to patrol it.
She sighs, glancing to me. Mal and Fee keep the door open a crack, watching as two guards pass in clunky boots. We hold our breath as we pray toAzurefor good luck and stay hidden.
“You’ve been here.” She taps the boundary.
“TheIn-Between?” I whisper. “Yes. We had to stop soldiers from attacking lords.”
She shakes her head. “TheIn-Betweenhas two meanings. The realms between kingdoms and the realm between life and death, where one goes during sleep.” She points to her skull. “Only few can ever enter it.”
“Can you?”
Layla sighs. “Yes.Nylxais the Goddess of the Night, and sleep is in her domain.” She seems sad and I put my hand on her shoulder. “You should be careful in this realm. It is not safe.”
Don’t I know it.
“Clear,” Fee calls back. We all slink through the halls, keeping to the shadows. Mal leads us, with Fee and I behind him. Reid stays with Layla, almost protectively keeping himself to the outside as a shield.
Reid is a good Fae, strong and honorable. But he’s never been like this before. He gravitates to her and it seems by his furrowed brow, he doesn’t know why either.
At the end of the hall, is another staircase. At my confused look, Mal gestures for us to go in. “All the royals have their own stairs for servants. At the top is one door. It’s Fenrir’s room.”
He locks the door behind us, taking the lead once more. “I’ll enter. Do not do anything to interrupt us.”
Reid snorts. “Have you met us before?”
“I’m coming,” I declare. My fingers tremble, magic pulsating in my gut. Something tells me I need to be in there, and I will not ignore my instincts.
Mal opens his mouth to argue, but Fee shakes her head.It’s best to let her do this, it says, and the prince sighs. At least someone gets it.
At the top are more gilded walls and a large green gem encrusted door with a singular handle. The torches on each side flicker with life, but there is no other light. The moon outside is the only help as we step forward, the rest of our group holding back.
Mal doesn’t knock. He steps through and I keep to his back, a shadow on the wall.
Fit for a prince, the room is large and lavish, with white blankets, cream drapes and various pieces of artwork. Unlike Kaden’s suite of rooms that feel heavy and thoughtful, this room feels open, superficial, and blank. Not one ounce of Fenrir’s personality shines here.
