Fae of the South (Court of Crown and Compass Book 3) E. Hall (ebook reader macos TXT) 📖

Despite the cuff around my wrist, I’ll access my magic. I’ll get out of here and find Tyrren.

Glandias glides over to me. Her skin is pale and powdery, marred by green scars on her face, but her eyes are hard and dark. She gazes into mine and places her hands on my shoulders.

An unnatural jolt moves through my skin, muscle, and into bone. The energy feels like fingers poking and trying to find something, but I hold fast to the flame within and use it to fend off whatever it is she’s doing.

“I’m mage...and was gifted with fae and demon blood. I see you’re resisting me. The warded cuff prevents you from using your magic externally, but not internally. Interesting. Must’ve been how you defended yourself against Emeric.”

Very interesting. I assume since she’s not pure demon, the way to rend my shadow isn’t instinctual like it is for the scum I’m all too happy to slay. This buys me time.

“There’s much for me to learn about fae. Glad I have countless of your kind to use as test subjects.” She cackles.

I scowl.

She tilts her thin, bald head. “I’d argue that it’s all for the greater good.”

“Whose good? I don’t see anything positive happening by you creating an army of fae.”

“An army of shadow fae,” she corrects. “An undefeatable, immortal army. That’s where you come in. With your shadow, together with the others, backed by unseelie and vampire traits—I will rule the realms.”

“Like I told Emeric, I’m not immortal.”

“Once you’re shadow fae, there’s nothing that can destroy you.”

Inside, I burn as hot as the sun. My skin is as cold as the tundra. Meeting with Amelia, coming to terms with my nature, being unseelie fae and her telling me that I always have a choice gives me an idea. “Have you thought of the consequences of that, Glandias?” I ask.

“Death, destruction, untold power.” She levels me with her gaze. “Of course, I have.”

I lift my chin and meet her eyes. “Good.”

She flattens her lips as though not sure what to make of that comment. “With an undefeatable army, I too will be undefeatable.” She leans so close that I see every crevice in her pale face. “Emeric’s problem, Leith, and even Rikurd’s problem were that they thought too small.”

I only recognize Emeric’s name.

“My plans are much, much bigger. And the best part, no one will see what’s coming.”

No, she won’t see what’s coming.

She grips my arm. I jerk it away.

Just because I know what’s coming, I won’t make it easy. I dig even deeper, calling forth the light inside of me. Gathering as much of it as I can, I experience its warmth, radiance, and unique texture. I familiarize myself with the very best parts of me. I imprint them in my mind, my heart, and my entire being.

Glandias examines me and hovers her hands over me as though trying to find my shadow.

I summon thoughts of purring kittens, hot cocoa, driving on summer days with the windows down and loud music playing, dancing with Tyrren to the Beatles, reading, long showers, warm oatmeal on cold winter mornings...

There’s a tug toward everything I’ve lost and the pain I’ve experienced. My mother saying goodbye. The fae encounter when I was a child and their torment. The attack sophomore year. Being sent to reform school.

“Ah ha,” Glandias says as though she detects my shadow self. “You can’t hide from me, Leajka Vladikoff. The real you is worthless, shameful. Unseelie, unruly. A vile, horrible creature bent on mayhem, pain, ruin.” She practically coos the words.

Part of me wants to believe her. Part of me used to believe her. But I know the truth. The flames of my righteous anger are stronger. I give her a solid sneer.

I divert my attention back to the best parts of me, my life. The lessons learned, the ways I’ve grown, and the strength I’ve gained.

“There are plenty of fae to practice on. I usually let the demons do my dirty work, but you are a prize among the fae as part of the prophecy. With your history, you’re the one most inclined toward shadow work. Not cooperating strengthens my case, strengthens your shadow.” The skin above her eyes, where her eyebrows should be lifts as though she has an idea. “Emeric, my son, despite his shortcomings was on to something. Make you commit crimes, desensitize you...”

“Where is he?”

“Ash.” Her voice is just as dry.

“You killed your son?”

“Sometimes sacrifices have to be made to reach goals. However, there’s a distinction. I destroyed him, but the damage had already done when he requested to become a vampire and renounced his role as a mage. He broke the code, humiliating me.”

“I’d argue that you’ve broken the code, whatever it is.”

She snorts. “In many ways, he started this. I will end it. I’ll do what he could not. Soon we will return to the Southlands and I’ll take the throne. The Northlands and Westlands are in tumult. The Eastlands remain, but their stronghold cannot last forever.” Her smile is sinister. “But my glory as ruler of the realms will.”

“And then what? What will you do when you have all the power?” I ask. “Will it be enough?”

She tilts her head ponderously. “I daresay yes.”

I shake my head slowly because I know that isn’t true. “You will always be hollow, empty. No amount of power will fill you because power doesn’t give. It takes.”

“We’ll see about that. For now, I’ll expose your shadow and I will rend it. You’ll let me or else...” Glandias gets to her feet and wheels another exam table into view. A familiar figure rests on top. Tyrren. He’s as still as stone.

I fight the tingles that run up my spine.

“It isn’t only shadow fae that will be useful in