Page 33 of Fate of the Fallen
“We cannot afford to fall apart right now,” Hilda interjected. “Evangeline herself requested that Nick’s life be spared on several occasions, so who were any of us to override that decision? It was neverourlives in danger, only hers. And yet, she saw fit to pardon him.”
Hilda’s reason only angered me more. None of us could expect Evangeline to choose death for Nick. She was the only one whohadn’tseen what his kind was capable of. To her, he was more innocent than not because she’d been spared the burden of seeing the Liberator in action. However, after tonight’s nightmare, I wasn’t sure that was still true, wasn’t sure she’d have chosen life for him after experiencing the beast’s dark side firsthand.
“If he’s out there,” Elise chimed in, “my boys will find him.”
“And I’ll do my part as well,” Dallas interjected, jogging down the stairs toward the front door. “Whatever they can’t find on the ground, I’ll likely find from the air.”
Before heading out, he placed a kiss on Elise’s cheek and she closed the door behind him.
I wasn’t so sure his statement was true, about being able to see more from above than the guys could see from the ground. In my rage, I spoke my thoughts aloud.
“That might have been true if Nick wasn’t out there with Maisy,” I pointed out.
Having one of the most wicked, most powerful witches in the world on your side would definitely make things more difficult for anyone trying to come for you.
This scenario was the perfect storm. Nick had motive, means, and now a secret weapon who owed us one for capturing her and forcing her to do a spell against her will. I couldn’t have put together a more perfect worse-case scenario if I tried.
“We can’t lose heart,” Elise sighed, reiterating Hilda’s thought, but I couldn’t listen anymore. “Based on what the Elders have told me, it appeared to have been Maisy who broke out of her cell—bars pried apart, mangled. Nick’s lock had been broken and there was blood on the floor, as if there’d been a struggle. For all we know, this is all on Maisy and he was taken against his will. The Elders’ witches had a large task to perform tonight and it could have weakened many spells they cast, including that which sealed the cells. Maybe they—”
“And yet, no one thought of that when it actually mattered, when something could have been done to prevent it,” I cut in, shortening Elise’s explanation because I didn’t want to hear it.
Too little too late.
The bottom line was, Nick was out. The logistics were of little consequence at this point.
“We’ll be in the basement until we get the all clear,” I grumbled. “My best defense is to hide her behind the false wall. I’ll stand guard outside it and pray I’m able to take him down before he finds a way beyond it.”
That was it. The best I could do was hope that putting my own life on the line was enough to save hers.
I managed to take two steps toward my destination before Hilda’s voice rang out again.
“Liam, wait.”
My name being called halted me.
“I’ve got something to say and it cannot be put off,” she declared.
When I turned to face her, her expression was grim—the first sign things were about to get even darker. We couldn’t take any more bad news and, judging by what I saw, that’s exactly what this was.
More bad news.
More of the same.
“I know the timing of what I need to share is, perhaps, the worst it could possibly be, but this is all out of my control,” she began. “Liam, after our conversation yesterday, after seeing the materials Sebastian has been stockpiling, I conducted a bit of research. That research included reaching out to several close friends whom I trust—in terms of loyaltyandknowledge,” she assured us, keeping her gaze trained on me. “I explained to you that one possibility for Sebastian’s intentions with such a large quantity of biremede stonemightbe to commune with the Oracles. However, you’ll also remember I stated that he may haveotheruses for the stones. Uses that were not quite as apparent.”
My fists clenched at my sides and I didn’t bother breathing, knowing whatever she’d say next would only steal it away.
“What sorts of other uses?” Elise asked, concern clearly marking her expression.
Hilda sighed and moved into the center of the foyer where we had all convened.
“To fully explain, you need to understand a few things that aren’t common knowledge,” she began. “As you all know, I’m able to commune with the Oracles, which is not typically heard of for a witch. They interact with Elders and members of the High Council, but … never other supernatural beings. After I boldly petitioned them for help years ago, fully expecting to be rejected, I was granted special permissions for reasons I am not entirely certain of,” she shared, passing a glance my way.
I assumed these special permissions she spoke of being granted had something to do with another theory she revealed the day before. She hinted toward a belief that one of the Oracles might possibly be the ascended soul of Noah.
Her brother.
“Being able to commune with the Oracles is all part of a bigger process. There are rules,” she explained. “Rights. Responsibilities. One such responsibility is carried out every twenty-ninth or thirtieth day, at the top of the synodic month when the moon is full. It is an event of sorts known as The Syphoning.”