Chapter 13

I was still sitting there mentally coaching my mouth to stay closed and soothing my FOS to stay low enough that I didn’t do anything that would land me back in the cells. Although, I had a few moments to think that being in the cells was the safest place for me—

The door opened again, and the same man came in. He stepped to the side, then bowed his head. “Princes Bastian and Trendan and the Commander of the watch, Sigor.”

Three men walked in. The first thing I noticed was they weren’t as large as the man, Ira, but they weren’t petite people either. I didn’t know which ones the princes were and who wasn’t until two sat down and the third waited. The last man to sit must be Sigor.

“Prince Bastian.” Troy said in a respectful tone.

The man closest to us bowed his head. “King Troy, a pleasure.” He had short black hair, that went in any direction it wanted. He didn’t look anything like a prince, then again neither did any of the people sitting at the table to my left. He didn’t look at Troy as he spoke, just glanced down the table at each person sitting there.

“Prince Trendan.” Troy inclined his head.

The man with the perfect blond hair bowed his head. “King Troy, thank you for agreeing to this meeting.”

I briefly glanced to the commander, his entire aura screamed death-to-you, like Victor’s had on our first encounter. He wore a black robe with no embroidery. The two princes wore deep purple robes, only they were sleeveless. I wondered if they were called a gown instead of a robe.

All three had a tattoo on their left shoulder. What was it with other realms and tattoos? These didn’t cover the whole length of their arm though, just the upper deltoid. Without making it too obvious, I tried to make out what it was of. It looked like someone had taken a brush and black paint and made a circle, not quite completing the top of it. In the middle it looked like an eight on its side, again the ends not quite meeting. I looked up to the man who’s shoulder I was focusing on to see him looking at me. His eyes were the darkest blue I’d ever seen, then I noticed the ring around that dark blue wasn’t black, like all eyes I’d ever seen, it was white but not as white as the rest of his eye.

“Bastian.” Prince Trendan said quietly beside him.

Bastian cleared his throat and looked away from me. “Sorry. Soul distraction.”

His brother looked at him, then briefly glanced to me. “Your majesties, elders,” Trendan bowed his head to the elders, “Our commander has detected an anomaly we’re quite frankly not clear how it’s happening.”

“That’s concerning.” Elder Arian said quietly.

“Quite.” Prince Trendan nodded. “We’ve consulted all of our seniors and they are unable to give us the answers.”

“Your seniors didn’t have the answers?” Elder Varus leaned forward in her chair. “We’re,” she motioned down the table, “mere infants in comparison to your oldest residents.”

Prince Trendan nodded, his perfectly placed blond locks didn’t even move when he did that. “Yes and yet they can’t figure it out.”

“And you think we can?” Elder Nodin asked.

“That is our hope…”

“Drop the proper speak and political posturing and get to the point.” Quinton blurted out.

I was glad he did, and from the looks of a few of the others so were they.

Chase smirked. “I agree with my brother. What is the issue?”

“Someone is screwing with our barrier.” Bastian stated looking at Chase.

“Shit.” One of the brothers beside me said bluntly.

Elder Arian looked like she wanted to jump out of her seat. She looked at the man, Sigor. “Did you bring any data?”

Sigor tuned to look at Prince Trendan, he gave a quick nod. Sigor stood up and pulled out something that looked like a phone and walked down to the end of the table where Elder Arian was.

She stood up and took the device and started looking at it. “Oh dear.” She whispered.

Elder Varus stood up and looked at the two archivist’s “I need you to leave. We will submit a summary for the archives later.”

The two closed their books and stood up. Inclining their heads, they turned and went out the door without a word.

Troy leaned forward on the table. “Elder Marinus, I need you and Elder Roan to contact the other realms and see if they report the same thing.”

Elder Marinus nodded and got up, walking quickly to the door. Elder Roan was right behind him.

Prince Bastian stood up. “It’s happening here too, isn’t it?”

Victor answered before Troy could. “Yes, and we know who is responsible.”

My heart was skipping in my chest. I clasped my hands in my lap and squeezed them. What the pish were they talking about? Barriers? A fence or other obstacle that prevents movement or access. My mind quickly referenced. I had to be thinking the wrong thing. Maybe it meant something else here. I looked at Beth, her eyes were huge as she sat there. That did not comfort me at all. A hand touched mine. I looked down to see Rafael’s big hand over mine in my lap. I looked up at him, he was watching the others, not even acknowledging he was doing it. It made me feel oddly better, but not at the same time.

Michael stood up and rubbed the back of his neck. “They have to be working with someone from your realm to even know where to begin to do that.”

“You’re saying someone from our realm is doing this?” Prince Trendan stood up as well now.

“They’d have to be to know the best locations to do it.” Elder Arian said, then looked back at the device Sigor had given her.

“We’ve been so busy with other,” Prince Trendan waved his hand, “issues lately, we missed this entirely.”

“That’s not at all surprising.” Victor stated. “We’ve had our hands full here as well.”

“You’re going to want to look at inner staff, and any staff with families that have a less than favorable history.” Leone looked to Michael who nodded.

Releasing my hands, Rafael leaned on the table. “When they said the barrier between, we thought it was just ours.” He looked down the table at Troy.

“Is it possible the lawless faction is behind this?” Prince Bastian asked his brother.

“Nothing would surprise me. They’ve really ramped it up lately.” Trendan pulled out his phone. “I need to inform mother and father immediately and have them transported to a secure location.”

Bastian nodded. “Only Tor and Ulric are to know. Have them escort and stay until we get back.”

Nodding, Prince Trendan walked over to the corner of the room.

Daxx pushed back from the table and got up. “We need to get the teams to up their game and get moving.” She looked at Quinton.

He stood up. “I was just thinking the same thing. I’ll go to the yard and get it started.” He lifted his chin to Troy. “You need to revisit the heads of all we’ve brought in. There has to be something we’re missing.”

Arius got up. “We need to find Nelson.” He kissed the top of Paisley’s head, then turned to the door. “Raf, we’re going to need Kara to visit Eunice as soon as this is wrapped up and find out what’s inside her sick mind. If she can lead us to Nelson, we’ll get Willis Hubert too.”

I looked from him to Rafael. He was nodding but didn’t look at me.

“Kara, princess Kara.” Bastian said quietly and stepped over to stand in front of the table. His dark eyes searched my face. “You’re a mind reader?”

I shook my head. “No. I hear what people think.”

He grinned. “Can you hear what I’m thinking?”

I held up my arm, so the cuff would fall, and the red cuff was visible. “Not while I’m wearing this.”

“It’s probably a good thing.” Trendan said coming back over. “My brother is fascinated because your soul isn’t blended with your mate’s. It’s a puzzle and he loves a good puzzle.” He rolled his eyes.

I looked at him then back to Bastian. “I-I don’t understand. My soul?”

Bastian gave me a big grin. “Yes, your lovely soul.”

Rafael stood up, making a low growling sound.

Eyes-wide I looked up at him. He’d just growled like an animal.

Leone moved over and put his hand on Rafael’s shoulder. “Let’s go give Quint a hand.”

Rafael looked at him, then shrugged off his hand. “I’ll be there after I take Kara to the cells to see Eunice.” He held his hand out to me.

I looked to Beth, she gave a slight nod. Placing my hand in his, I stood up.

“I’ll come with.” Chase said and stood up.

“I’m in.” Autumn said. “I want to know if she’s faking this.”

I didn’t have time to think as Rafael pulled me by the hand and walked out of the room quickly. He kept going after we were through the doors.

Autumn and Chase caught up.

Rafael went around the next corner and stopped. I almost walked into him.

“We’ll be there in a minute.” He said and looked at Chase and Autumn.

“As you like.” Chase inclined his head, then gave me a reassuring smile. “His bark is much worse than his bite,” he shrugged, “or so I’m told.”

I watched them walk away. As soon as they turned down a different hall, Rafael released my hand. I looked up at him. I didn’t need to hear what he was thinking to know he was very conflicted right now.

“You can take off the robe now.” He said as he undid his own and pulled the sash over his head.

I took off the sash, then undid the robe. “Oh, your necklace.” I reached behind me and felt for the clasp. Fumbling with it, I managed to undo it and held it out to him.

His jaw was clenched as he took it. “Look I know you don’t know what the hell is going on,” he shook his head, “I don’t think you should be dropped into all of,” he waved his hand around, “this, but if you can give us something that will end it all, then I’d be stupid to stop that.”

Stop that? How could he stop it? Something inside me snapped. “This?” I waved a hand around. “I don’t even know what this is.” I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm and failing for the most part. “I thought people were taking women,” I scowled at him, “I don’t know what this barrier stuff is.” I pulled the robe off and shoved it against his chest, “and what is this soul blending horse pucky? What is that even?” I waved the sash around, then added it to the robe he now held. “Witches and magic bands and teaching archery,” I wanted to stomp my foot, but was able to control myself enough to not do that in front of him and look like a child, “I don’t know what is happening.”

“Ah,” Emil walked up to us, “I’m with her on most of that.” He crossed his arms over his chest looking from Rafael to me, “my life was dull, even predictable until I met my brothers.” He gave me a gentle look, “it’s been organized chaos since then.”

“I just,” I looked up at one, then the other as they towered over me, I shook my head. “I just need a few moments.” I turned and started walking down the hallway. I stopped when I reached the hall Chase and Autumn had turned down. I didn’t know where I was going.

“Take that hall and keep going straight, it will take you to the cells.” Emil called out.

Turning down the hall, I started walking fast. With my head down, I watched the patterns change on the carpet as I moved over it. I didn’t know what I was supposed to be thinking. Who would with all of this dumped on their head? Barriers, that were important, and it was bad they were being messed with, why—I had no idea.

Soul blending… I stopped and glared at the carpet. How did that Bastian guy know anything about my soul? Taking a few steps, I shook my head and huffed out a breath. I believed people had souls, but not like they were something tangible that you could touch or see.

I started walking again, I’d figure that out later. Lifting my arm, I looked at the red band. Did I want them to make me something like that elder had? Something that enabled me to listen or not… that was something I never thought I’d have to consider, like ever. So did I? If I wasn’t going to be allowed to keep the inhibitor cuff when I left, something like that would be good to have. I shrugged, okay I wanted my own off switch.

How long was this hallway? Taking a deep breath, I pushed the thought that I was walking in an underground hall out of my head. I’d seen these people fight, as scary and medieval as it was, not to mention amazing to see—so why did they want me to teach them how to use a bow? It hasn’t been used in the realm in well over a thousand years… Elder what’s-his-name had said. My brain stalled for a half second on the thousand years part. A hundred years times ten. Giving myself a mental poke, I moved past that. I suppose the fact that I was a quarter of one of those hundred years and knew something useful for them was a good thing. A compliment in some obscure way…

“You look like you’re about to implode.”

I jolted and looked up to see I’d reached the double metal doors and most of the royal family stood there. Chase smiled at me and then looked behind me. I turned to see Emil walking slowly down the hall.

He shrugged, “thought I’d give you space.”

I huffed out a breath, wanting to thank him, but not saying anything.

“Where’s Raf?” Chase asked.

“Poof.” Emil said flicking his fingers into the air.

“He’s probably at the yard with Quinton and Leone.” Michael said.

“Or he’s running with his tail between his legs,” Emil said, motioning to me, “Kara went off on him like an explosive device.”

“Ah, and I missed it.” Chase gave me an amused look.

Emil looked to the others. “I didn’t know everyone was going to be here.”

“Not everyone will be, we’re waiting on Michael.” Victor stated. “Crissy will be in her tower when Kara takes off the inhibitor.”

I mentally blew out a deep breath. Crissy being around when I took it off wouldn’t have helped me focus.

Michael came out of the cells. “Good. Saves me chasing everyone down.” He opened the case he carried and pulled out one of those things they wore on their wrists. He looked at it, then handed it to Emil. “They’ve all been programmed to land you at the palace or the landing room here.” He took out a second and after checking it gave it to Daxx. “The women’s take them to their cave instead of landing room. The guards are programmed as well.” He gave the next one to Troy.

I was surprised when he gave me one. I looked at it.

Autumn stepped closer and popped it open to show me the buttons. Michael handed her one. She took off the old one and put the new one on.

Closing the one I held, I put it on my wrist that wasn’t covered by the red band. I didn’t know why they were giving me one, but it made me feel like I had some control over where I was.

“Did anyone else feel like our neighbors from Solrelm didn’t share everything?” Emil asked looking around at the others.

“I’m inclined to agree.” Victor said glancing up from his phone.

“We need to call an informal meeting with one of them.” Chase leaned back against the wall and crossed his arms over his chest.

“For?” Michael gave him a strange look.

“If they’re able to zero in on a specific soul…”

Victor put his phone in his pocket. “I’ve never really delved into how it works.”

“Oh.” Crissy looked excited, “it explains it in their book.”

Chase looked amused. “They have a book?”

She nodded. “There’s one for all the other realms,” she shrugged, “more for this one.” Eyes huge she looked at Victor. “Do you think they have a library with books about their history?”

Victor smirked. “You are not getting a library card to all the other realms, heart, I fear our chamber couldn’t house the books you’d bring back.”

“That would be silly,” she grinned, “I still have a few rooms in Alterealm’s library to go through.” She pulled her notebook out of her backpack and started down the hall.

Michael gave her an amused look. “Back to this meeting.”

“We want this off the record I assume?” Victor asked, watching Crissy walk away.

Chase nodded. “For now, yes.”

“I’ll get in touch with them. I’m thinking Prince Bastian would be the one we wish to speak with.” Victor turned and opened the door to the cells.

Autumn moved closer to me and held out her hand, smirking.

I frowned, not sure why.

“I know you have knives on you. No weapons in the cells.” She said.

I didn’t know how she knew, but I couldn’t argue with the reasoning behind it. Shrugging my shoulders, I bent down and pulled the knives from the straps on my ankles. Straightening, I held them out to her. She took them and handed them to Michael.

Giving her an amused look, he glanced to me. “You can pick them up on your way out.”

I half expected some lecture or him confiscating them completely. I looked at Autumn, then Paisley. “Do you carry weapons?”

Daxx snorted. “They are the weapons.”

Troy tilted his head and looked at Daxx.

She sighed and raised her hands. “I’ll leave it in the office.”

Chase moved over to the door and opened it. “Let’s go see what Eunice has tucked inside her head.”