Page 27 of The Fae Lord
Garratt nods slowly. “He’s looking for the Shadowkind and Alana. Killed and tortured an elf for information.”
“Do the other elves know where we are?”
Shrugging, Garratt shakes his head. “Doubtful, and if they did, they wouldn’t give up that information. Even when tortured. Unless Eldrion had something to offer them in return. And, by all accounts, he’s not thinking too clearly of late.”
“He’s not?”
Garratt leans back on the counter opposite and takes his pipe from his pocket. He taps his temple with his free hand. “Losing it,” he whispers. Then he laughs, “As proved by the fact that he wants my help to find them.”
“He asked for your help?” I’m not sure whether to laugh or be worried.
Biting his pipe, Garratt says, “I offered it. In exchange...” He bites back a chuckle. “In exchange for Eldrion letting me form some sort of elven police. Letting me run the elven quarters as I see fit. Invite the Gloomweavers back into the city.”
“Why would you want to –” I stop myself from asking the question. I don’t care what Garratt’s motives are, only whether he is still on my side or if he’s now indebted to Eldrion.
As if he can read my mind, he says, “Don’t worry, I have no intention of handing you over to him. I want Eldrion gone from the throne as much as you do.”
My body relaxes a little, my wings twitching behind me.
Garratt chuckles, a sly smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “But I told him I’d be more than happy to assist in his search. Even offered to put my best elves on the job.”
“If he finds out you’re playing him.”
“He won’t.” Garratt glances at the door. “As long as you don’t hang around here too long.” He pauses, then adds, “Eldrion has no friends in this city. The Sunborne are afraid he’s losing control. They’re keeping themselves to themselves. The Shadowkind are either plotting to join you when they can, or they’re in complete denial. Still serving their masters as if nothing has happened.”
“Even those still in the castle?” I cross my legs now and extend my hand to ask for a puff on Garratt’s pipe.
“Most. There are a couple who wish they’d joined you. They might be useful when the time comes.”
“You think the time is soon?”
Garratt nods. “Right now, Eldrion is distracted by his obsession with the empath. You should strike soon if you truly intend to.”
I begin to pace the kitchen, my mind racing. If Eldrion is truly unravelling, if his grip on power is slipping, then Garratt could be right. No more hiding in the forest like cowards; this could be the perfect time to finally fan the flames of rebellion and bring the Sunborne to their knees.
“Garratt,” I say, turning to face my friend. “I need you to keep playing along with Eldrion. Feed him false leads, keep him distracted. The more time we have to plan and gather our forces, the better.”
Garratt nods, a fierce determination in his eyes. “Consider it done. I’ll send word again in a few days, let you know what else I’ve learned. But Finn... don’t hang around. If Eldrion was his usual self, I would be advising you to run. Not fight.”
“Thank you,” I say, clasping Garratt’s hand in a firm shake. “I can’t tell you how much this means to me. To all of us.”
Garratt meets my eyes. “It’s time, Finn,” he says, his voice low and intense. “Time for the Shadowkind to rise up and take back what’s theirs. As long as you remember it was the elves who helped you get there when you’re sitting on the throne in Eldrion’s castle.”
TWELVE
Kayan
My body is not my body. It looks like mine, but it’s brighter. Bluer. It glistens and small shivers run through me every time I move.
The things that happen, happen without me having to think about them. Moving, appearing, disappearing.
I knew Alana was going to be in the woods. I was nowhere, and then I was there with her.
I am here and I am not here. I know what I’m here to do. I know how much I can show her, and what I’m not allowed to show her. Yet, no one has explained the rules.
It is just there. Knowledge, that feels eternal, like I’ve never not known it.
As the sun climbs higher in the sky, Alana leads me to the edge of the lake once more. The water is still, a perfect mirror reflecting the endless blue above. I hover beside her, my ethereal form shimmering in the golden light.