Emelyn gasped beside me, clearly recognizing the trio.
I studied their features. They appeared only a few years older than me, but I could almost taste the ancient air surrounding them. And the male to her right had a Fortune Fae Alpha appeal to him with his silver hair, larger build, and enhanced jawline—suggesting he had fangs. Yet his eyes weren’t slit like a Fortune Fae Alpha’s.
The male on her other side held up a wand lit with purple magic, indicating his Death Blood heritage, and as it illuminated his features, I caught sight of a pair of startling blue irises.
Blue irises that reminded me of Shade’s.
Thinking of my mate had me automatically opening my mental channel to him.
Where the hell are you? he demanded immediately.
In some sort of paradigm, I replied. And I’m pretty sure your dad is here.
That’s impossible.
Well, he looks like you, I whispered, swallowing. Same eyes. Thick, nearly black hair. Chiseled features. Death Blood magic.
Silence. Then he softly asked, Is he with a dark-haired female?
Yes.
And a man with silver hair?
Yes.
Those are my grandparents, he replied. You can trust them. I’m coming.
How will you find me? I wondered.
Just keep the connection open, Aflora. And never shut me out like that again. You scared the shit out of us.
I winced. I didn’t mean to.
We’ll work on it, he promised.
“What are you doing here, Zen?” Dakota asked, sounding wary.
“You know exactly why I’m here,” Shade’s grandmother replied, sounding regal and in charge. “This is not the way.” She turned to address the others with Dakota. “Retribution isn’t the only path. We can do this without spilling more Midnight Fae blood.”
“She’s right,” the silver-haired fae replied. “Reformation will allow us to lead without the unnecessary loss of lives.”
“Unnecessary,” Dakota repeated. “You know what was unnecessary? The Midnight Fae Elders killing my parents for helping Cassandra escape the kingdom. You know what else was unnecessary? The Midnight Fae Elders killing Tobias’s entire line because a grandparent was a Quandary Blood.”
“Violence cannot be countered by more violence,” Zen replied softly. “If you continue down this path, so many more innocents will be wrapped up in a war of blood and retribution. How is that a rightful solution?”
“They deserve to bleed for what they’ve done to our families,” one of the Midnight Fae hissed.
Another grunted in agreement. “The Nachts were never meant to rule. They’ve destroyed our source and polluted it with their false superiority.”
“Blood for blood,” a female said softly.
“Hear, hear!” the male beside her cheered.
Zen shook her head. “I understand you’re angry—we all are—but to kill the lineages entirely will dwarf Midnight Fae kind.”
“It’s what they did to us,” someone pointed out, his voice gruff and lost in the darkness. “It’s what they bloody deserve.”
“We’ve chosen our side, Zen,” Dakota murmured. “Perhaps it’s time you join us once more. I’m certain Zakkai would welcome you home.”