Page 49 of Unseen Lord

"Yes," Kayla says.

"And you have the bow?" he looks at Arias, his expression puzzled.

"Yes, in my quarters," Arias says.

Elias is bitter about that. He thinks we should hold onto it.

"But no one has any idea about the mantle?" Zeb asks, looking at Dean.

Dean shakes his head. "I've heard of it, of course, but no word at all where it could be, and I haven't come across any news in my reading."

Fun fact about Dean. He's freaking gorgeous, and I def feel the pull that he has, but I'm pretty smitten with his nephew, so that's a hard no. The dude exudes sexiness though, and it's quite a shock to realize how bloody brilliant he is. He's probably the most well-read of all the princes, which is stunning, really, for a man who has an aversion to wearing shirts, like right now for instance. Come on, dude, cover up those nippers will ya?

"We have other ways of fighting her," Ace says. "But… " his eyes are pained. "Is there no other way? She's our niece. Our queen. Ari and Fen's daughter. I… "

This is clearly tearing him up. They are close, it's clear. But. "Have you seen the storms ravaging the kingdom?" I ask.

They all nod.

"It will only get worse," Arias says. "It will tear Inferna and Avakiri apart, and then it will move on."

"She's already ripped a hole in the fabric or the universe, or some shit," I say. "This is gonna get bad real fast, guys. We have to stop her."

"Why would she do this?" Ace asks, planting his face in the palm of this hand. "She was queen. She was loved. She was strong and powerful. Why?"

"She was jealous," I say. "Of her parents, for their power. And she felt they were ruling the kingdom with weakness. I think her initial intentions are good, but from what I've heard and seen, it's not just her in there anymore."

"Did you see her Spirit?" Ace asks.

"No. It hadn't manifested yet," I say.

"Legends say it is a Thunder Bird," Arias says. "She will have the power of flight, and it will be powerful."

Wonderful. "Well, I've got Theo."

Varis nods. "And I have my Air Spirit, plus Kayla has her Fire Spirit."

"Good," I say. "So we've got some air potential. She'll likely come for the castle. What has she been doing so far?"

Asher frowns. "Destroying the Outlands. From what we've been told they are ravaged. Hundreds dead."

Oh damn. That's not good.

"What's happening to your people while you are all here?" I ask.

"Each of our Realms has safe holds our people have been led into. They won't last, but it's the best we can do until we stop her."

"Okay, so now we need a plan to stop her," I say. "Using just two of the Shadow's Bane, and whatever magic, cleverness and skill we each possess in this room."

"I have ideas," Ace says. "Some inventions that can be useful."

"And Varis and I have power we can use to help create shields and improve offensive maneuvers," Tavian says.

"Let's get to it then."

* * *

We all workwell into the night, and there is still much to do, but we also recognize we need our rest for what's to come. We don't know when she'll strike, we just know she will. She wants her base of power back. I know that for certain.