Chapter 27

Liri still couldn’t believe that she had been brought to the meeting. She was witnessing history here and wasn’t going to miss a single part of it. The circle of stones was literally that, twelve stones that were at least the length of her body wide and almost to her shoulder in height when she stood by one. She had never felt energy from rocks before, but when she got close to them, she did. It was warm and made a buzzing sound.

Of the elders that had come over from Alterealm, Arian, she had heard Prince Victor call her, was completely fascinated by the stones, and had some little meter she was holding over one.

“Cyril, we’re not here for a science experiment.” The other Elder that was here told her in a hushed voice. Kinsley had said she was the head of the Elders council.

“I know, Dyota, but whatever was done to these has created the circle of protection in this area, and nothing of dark matter can enter.”

“Power like that can only be from the Gods, Cryil, not science. Let’s go back to the pavilion and take our seats.”

Liri continued to walk, trying not to laugh at the excitement of the Elder. It did create many questions though. If the Gods had created this space, how was it hidden from plain sight? Especially the pavilion that was made of stone. Something like that had to be spotted by anyone that had come near it. Or did the spell or whatever the, stones did deter humans from wandering this way? If that were true, Interealm people wouldn’t be here. She needed to ask questions and knew just who to start with. Crissy seemed to know so much about all the realms’ history. It made Liri feel like she was a failure. She knew very little aside from the basics about each.

“Just because I’ve had to do dark things to protect you at times doesn’t mean I am dark inside.”

Liri watched Prince Artesiam and his sorcerer, Elgar walk by.

“I was expecting it to toss you back out.” Art said with a grin.

Liri didn’t know who the older man was walking in front of him, but if she were to guess by the way he carried himself, she would say it was King Erian of Veiltide. Art looked a lot like him with the dark wavy hair. She hadn’t gotten to see his eyes, so she didn’t know if they were the same green or not.

Hurrying to the back of the pavilion, where the Alterealm royals were standing, she went straight to Cissy. “Crissy, those stones.”

“Aren’t they fascinating?” She nodded, “I have to see if there is a book about them.” She paused for a moment, her expression growing serious, and then turned to her mate, “Vic, I think we should have guards here.”

“Nothing can happen within the sacred space, heart. We have our own guards, some from the realms, and Bohdi’s team on the outskirts.”

Crissy nodded, “Good. I can see someone seeing, but it’s not a good see,” her eyes widened, “the seer they have. They see only bad.” She frowned, “this is good, so that doesn’t make sense.” Opening her backpack, she dug through it and then looked at Liri, “I’m going to find books about the stones.” She smiled like there hadn’t been a pause in the conversation.

“Let me know what it says.” She noticed a few others turn and watch others come this way.

“Is that Capri with Bohdi?” Autumn moved over to stand beside Daxx.

“It is. Who is she with?”

Liri turned to look. “Fletch and Marley, they’re like Bohdi’s generals.” She shrugged. “I’m going to say hello to Capri.”

“I didn’t know she’d be coming.” Bethany said softly, “But it makes sense; they’re in this now.”

Liri wasn’t sure what that meant, but she hurried over toward them.

“Liri.” Capri smiled, and Liri couldn’t help but notice that her hair was moving again. “It’s good that you’re here.” She motioned to Bohdi. “It was due to you that we found our Interealm counterparts.”

“I didn’t know you knew about Interealm and,” she waved a hand around, “everything.”

“I’m not old enough to have witnessed any of it functioning the way it should have been,” Capri smiled briefly, “but I’ve seen how it was and should be.” She looked around at all the others present, “the streets are more dangerous now than they have ever been, so I’m here to learn how to help make them be safe again.”

“Everyone. If we could all be seated, we can begin.”

Liri glanced over to see the Elder council leader standing at the edge of the pavilion, looking around. She hurried over, took the empty seat beside Raegan and Quinton, and then glanced around to see if Abe was there.

“He’s on the outside watching for troublemakers.” Quinton said quietly, “he volunteered to help because Raf is inside.”

She nodded, “it makes sense.”

“I am Elder Varus, the head of the Alterealm Elder’s council,” she clasped her hands in front of her and looked around, “I am mostly here as a moderator more than anything.” She nodded, “I can tell you that I am over two centuries old and have never heard of a meeting taking place at the Circle of Stones.”

“Yes, it’s been many more than a few centuries.”

Liri studied the woman that had spoken. She was seated with Princess Aireese, and although she was older, she was still fair and seemed to glow.

“That’s true, Queen Aurora,” her uncle Os said, “we are among the oldest here, and I have never heard of such a meeting either.”

Queen Aurora nodded her head slowly. “So many young here.” She smiled.

Victor stood up. “We limited the attendance today because we needed to discuss some sensitive matters and be certain those here could be trusted.”

“You’ve caught Arwan,” the King from Veiltide said slowly, “but as my son has shared other information with me, I can only assume we are not at the end of the ploy yet.”

“That is correct, King Erian.” Victor inclined his head, “We have evidence that all of the realms have been in on the plotting and execution of the vile atrocities they were trying to accomplish.”

“King Osbert’s man, Sigor, found a weakness in our barrier.” The woman with the yellow eyes stated.

“Yes, Princess Oriana, he reported that to me a few days ago.”

“I thank you for sending him to find weaknesses in our securities, King Osbert.” She smiled. “Also, Mother and Father apologize for not attending. They have trouble with the climate here in the fall.” She rubbed a hand up and down the thick sleeve of her jacket. “Elaric and I will have to act on behalf of Aridon.”

“We’re pleased that you could come.” Victor bowed his head to her.

Liri wondered how warm it was in Aridon for this to be considered too cold. It was fall, but the sun was shining and wasn’t cool.

“The main thing we need to puzzle out today is who was responsible for disbanding the council of the six realms and,” Victor paused and looked around at everyone, “removing Alterealm from enforcing the laws between them.” He motioned to Crissy. “My mate has gone through all records we have, and there is no data to lead us to those responsible. There are records of the council and then nothing.”

“Someone removed them.” Liri’s Aunt Ama stated.

“It appears that way.” Victor sat back down.

“I don’t,” Queen Aurora looked at Princess Aireese and then to the woman with her who had miles of black hair and was just as breathtaking as the fairer women, “Lady Mystral, you’ve spent much time in the libraries, have you ever happened across any accountings of such?”

The Lady Mystral looked down for a few moments. “There is some information, although, at the time, I thought for sure it was misfiled as it wasn’t where it should have been.”

The Queen’s eyebrows went up. “That is probably why it’s still in existence.” She motioned with her hand. “Go to the border and blink home, find that and take it to my chambers and await my return.”

Lady Mystral stood up. “As you wish.” She bowed her head and then turned and walked down the steps of the pavilion.

Queen Aurora looked around. “My daughter has been tirelessly trying to locate those responsible for helping with this, but they are very elusive.”

“Princess Aireese has been of monumental help,” Bastian stated, “she’s been unlocking the memory wipe done to our kind to forget they had found their other and sired children.”

Liri noticed Raegan sit straighter.

“I’m sorry, I don’t understand.” King Erian leaned forward and looked from Bastian to Princess Aireese.

Bastian stood up, and Liri couldn’t help but smirk at the expression on Trendan’s face that said he hoped his brother behaved.

“Someone, using powerful magic has kept a secret from my people.”

“What sort of secret?” Princess Oriana looked from the fae princess back to Bastian.

“That we can have children with other races and our souls’ other can be from outside of Solrelm.” Bastian was talking with more diplomacy than she’d ever witnessed.

“Why would someone do that and put your entire realm at risk?” Princess Oriana looked at Liri’s aunt. “I’m presuming the female birth rate is still on the decline.”

“It is.” Aunt Ama said in a quiet voice.

“What do you mean memory wipe?” King Erian was leaning forward again.

“The magic is strong,” Princess Arieese stood up, “they don’t remember their mate or their child that was left in Interealm.”

Liri glanced to see Bohdi and Capri take great interest in this.

“That’s awful.” Princess Oriana covered her mouth for a moment, “why would they do something like that?”

“We don’t know.” Princess Aireese sat back down. “We do know that some from my realm were involved but have yet to get enough information from one of the males this was done to and pinpoint anyone.”

“As is someone from ours,” Uncle Os didn’t look happy to share something like that, “we have found evidence of someone giving Arwan, and possibly countless others, our elixir,” he motioned to King Erian, “I’m told there are those involved from Veiltide,” he shook his head, “this is all connected, and we need to figure out where and when it started.”

“I agree.” Queen Aurora nodded her head slowly, “The council of the six realms was chosen by each realm’s Sovern, I believe.”

“That’s what Elder Nodin has told us,” Elder Varus looked around, “he also confided that the historian on our council has records that are kept out of the public records.”

King Troy turned to look at her. “When did he share this?”

“Earlier today.” Elder Varus looked at the other elder beside her, “There was no time to discuss it with you before we came over.”

“He’s going through all of these?” Quinton stood up and then looked at Victor, “I think Cissy should help.”

Victor inclined his head. “I agree. Cristy could see pieces that the Elder wouldn’t associate with one another.”

“I’ll let him know when we return.” Elder Varus sat down.

“There is so much to trace back and sort out. How are we ever going to get to the end of this?” Prince Elaric flipped his long blond braid back from his shoulder and leaned to look at Crissy, “Princess Cristy, have you been able to see how this is resolved?”

Crissy looked up from the notebook in her lap, “too many pieces. I have to see them all and find the way they go together.”

“She saw my lovely other.” Bastian stood up again, “Who is, yes, one hundred percent human, and yet we cannot complete our bond because there are those that are after her because of this interconnecting evil plot.”

“We have a faction that has been harvesting souls before their time,” her uncle Osbert stood up, “we aren’t sure of the purpose yet, but it is connected to the secrets about the fathers with their minds wiped and connected to the pottery used from Veiltide to communicate without technology,” he glanced at Queen Aurora, “as well as connected to the magic from FaTerra,” he looked at Nova, “that goes back longer than any of our hearts have beat.” He turned his head and looked at Liri, and her first instinct was to deny anything said. “My niece, Aliria has been working on a timeline to help us sort through this,” he grinned in response to her shocked expression. She had no idea that he knew about it, “I suggest we each have one representative to relay information to Liri and everyone else, so each of us is on the same page, and we get to the bottom of this once and for all.”

Capri stood up, her hair moving more rapidly, making Liri wonder if emotion affected it. “One of my Geminis, Espy, sees things, quite often the past more than the future,” she paused and looked around, “she has seen things related to this circle of stones and most of the realms.”

Victor stood up, “would she be willing to work with Liri?”

Liri tried not to look hopeful.

“She will, but not in Alterealm. She won’t leave our realm.”

“She can meet Liri at my place,” Nova said quietly.

Capri nodded and then started to sit down. She paused and straightened back up again, “For too long, all of your kind have used the human space,” she glanced at Marley, “Interealm as your number one holiday destination.” Her hair was moving more now, “in your wake, you have left countless to suffer. Children of mixed race from your realms that don’t know who they are or what,” she glanced at Abraham’s father, “and it’s time you cleaned up your mess. That is why I’m here today. To hold all of you accountable for the mess you have made in Interealm.” She sat down.

Elgar stood up and looked at her, “how,” he waved his hand around. “Can you have access to your magic? Mine was muted the second I stepped across that border.”

“Mine’s gone too,” Bethany said.

Princess Aireese nodded. “Mine as well. I assume it’s why this space is protected, so no ability can be used.”

“How does she have her magic then?” Elgar looked offended.

Capri smiled for a moment and then sobered. “All of you think I have magic abilities.” She clasped her hands in her lap. “I do not.” Liri was confused. “I am magic, but I don’t have it.”

Elgar looked at her for a moment. “How is that possible?” His mouth gaping open, and then he sat down.

Capri looked very amused now. “Liri, why don’t you share what you see when you look at my soul?”

Liri wanted to crawl under the chair. She’d never told her relatives that she, too, could see souls, and now she knew if she looked at her cousins or aunt and uncle, they would have a gobsmacked expression on her face. She cleared her throat and stood up. “At-at first, I didn’t think I could see yours, but,” she did look at Bastian, who had his head cocked to the side and a ridiculous grin on his face, “after looking further, I can see it, it just looks like it’s transparent because they cancel each other out.”

“What does that mean?” Queen Aurora was studying Capri like she was going to discover it herself.

“I can see it now,” Bastian glanced at Liri, “you are a smart one, cousin.” He looked back at Capri, “The grey and silver of Alterealm are barely visible with the clear sheen of my realm, but the pink of Aridon and Blue of Veiltide are washed away with white from Interealm…”

“Are you saying she is of all realms?” Elgar sounded offended.

“Yes. I believe she is.” Bastian looked intrigued now and stared at Capri.

She gave him a bored look, “As I said, you have used Interealm as a holiday resort. I do not know my ancestors, but I do know they, over the generations, came from all of the realms until I was born.” She looked around, “the combination of all is why I am this way. I believe.”

“I think we’re getting off topic.” Victor stood up and then looked at Capri, “We have, as you’re aware, been cleaning up our mess since we became aware of it.”

“Yes, your safe houses are helping many.” She nodded.

Liri didn’t know if she was allowed to be part of this or not, but she stood up, “I’m going to be running some. It was to be for the women and children left behind by the fathers from my realm,” she looked at Alona and then to Nova, “but I think they should be for anyone, from any realm.”

Capri smiled slowly, almost as if she already knew that Liri was going to do that.

“I support my niece’s plan.” Aunt Ama stated. She stood up. “I will also allow any woman from my realm to help.”

Liri sucked in a breath.

“No more will their only purpose be to give birth to more females, to wait to give birth.” She looked at Uncle Os and then sat down.

He gave her a warm smile and then stood up. “I have already reinstated Alterealm authority to police Solrelm and anyone from there, and I suggest we all do the same.” He sat back down.

“I am in agreement; my son has already brought this to my attention.” King Erian nodded.

“As was before, will be now,” Queen Aurora smiled, “although I suggest always with a guide of my people accompany you to save embarrassing moments.”

King Troy nodded. “I agree with that.”

“Father has already said he wished Alterealm to take back their position within Aridon.” Princess Oriana smiled.

“Uh, I would only send those that are fond of warmer environments to police our realm.” Prince Elaric grinned and zipped his jacket all the way up.

“I will be in touch with each of your commanders or representative.” Michael exchanged a look with Rafael, who looked very pleased.

Victor stood up. “For now, we need the representative to liaise for Liri and the timeline and a trusted enforcer from each of your worlds so we can begin to build a strong foundation again.”

Liri bit her lip and exchanged a look with Bastian, she was expecting him to look cross at her, but he didn’t. He was smiling at her. Cousin Trendan on the other hand, looked like he’d been hit in the face with something unexpectedly. She didn’t know why, but she was sure going to find out as soon as this meeting was over. She watched Tre look at Bastian again and then turned back and give her a shocked look. It dawned on her that Bastian must have told him about Abraham.

She looked down at her hands. That was going to be a whole other operation, and deciding on that. She’d avoided him for two days, or he had her, she wasn’t sure, but it had been a little easier not seeing, yet very difficult not to see him. She blew out a breath and looked at Aunt Ama. First step was to talk to her about dealing with her mother. That was the step she was the most apprehensive about. She looked up and saw that most of the others were standing now and chatting each other up. Getting up, she headed straight for Aunt Ama and hoped this ended well.