Dark Promise by Annika West
46
“Do they want the end of the world?” I demanded. “What the hell is their problem?”
Adair shrugged. “As you know, they believe any prophecy outside of their legendary oracle is false. Their concept of reality is so disconnected from the truth, that not even the wraith attack changed their minds. I must add that you cannot ever underestimate the power of false superiority. Since they think I’m only after my own power, and they want to maintain their status quo, they will fight us with everything they have. That is why I will be bringing my immortal fae army to help.”
“How encouraging,” I deadpanned.
He shook his head. “Oh, dear, no. It shouldn’t be. This will be a terrible battle.”
Marigold, with her perfect timing, laughed.
I glared at her. “This isn’t time for roughhousing! Settle down or I will settle you down for you!”
She chuckled and patted me lightly on the hand. “I do love how you speak your mind at all times, Aster. But I think we’ll do just fine against the fae.”
Adair asked, “Oh? And what plan do you have up your sleeve, witch?”
“Oh, me? Nothing. Well, not yet. I’m just certain that anyone unwilling or unable to look beyond their own prejudice will be fairly easy to outsmart. They don’t see the larger picture or the different approaches. We’re going to do just fine.”
August held up a hand. “What is the plan? Cayne, you told me about the portal crystals. But does it still have to be Aster? What are the parameters of the mission?”
Hux nodded. “Thank you, August. Our goal is to defeat the two Court armies stationed in Giza with the lowest number of casualties possible.”
Oz snorted. “Why? Those bastards don’t give a shit if any of us die. What does it matter if they do or don’t?”
Adair answered, “If Aster is supposed to be our symbol, the person to represent the change and show that halflings are valuable and deserving of respect, then she must be the one to rise up and place the crystal. It’s best if we avoid ending as many fae lives as we can, since they will only use that against her. If it’s impossible, then we’ll deal with that when it comes. But we must be cautious.”
Hux slid papers across the table. “This is what we have so far. The ley line center is inside a dimensional warp found within the pyramid. This is well-known, but there’s supposedly a false floor leading to another temple beneath the pyramid. That’s were Aster must go.”
Why do I get the feeling like my powers won’t be enough to get me there on their own?
Hux added, “Oz has mentioned that there are other dimensional travelers in the Autumn Court. Two, to be exact. They will likely try and follow Aster into that realm and stop her. Adair, can she be killed in that realm?”
Hux was the CEO leader right now, and he was speaking as practically as he could manage. But as my mate, I could tell those words made him want to rage.
His eyes flared amber, though his expression remained neutral.
Fucking immortals. How did they do that?
Adair answered, “Unfortunately, yes. Her body may not be affected, but in that state, her own energy is bare. She will be vulnerable. If another fae’s energy overtakes hers, she will die on the spot.”
“Ugh! That is such bullshit!” I exclaimed. “Why? Why does there always have to be someone bigger and scarier out there?”
Adair gave me a sympathetic pat. “It’ll be fine. We’re on your side. Do you trust in the abilities of those at this table?”
I took in the faces around me, and a sudden fear overcame me.
These are all the people that can die if I don’t do this in time. Fuck, I hate that I’m the one carrying this huge responsibility.
“Aster.”
Hux’s voice pulled me out of my head. His gaze was steady and reassuring. It was like he could see and hear the panic going on.
“You are not alone,” he said softly. “We are a team. We are one weapon. You are simply the very tip, the person meant to drive the killing blow, completing this mission. Adair will bring his army. This very table is full of people who are ready to support one another. This isn’t a four-person mission any longer, but nothing has truly changed besides the strength of our backup.”
“But who cares if it’s me?” I demanded. “Why does it matter that I’m the one to place the crystal? Why, out of all of the Cuts?”
Adair waved a hand. “You may simply trust me on this.”
Mom snapped her fingers so violently that Willow flinched. “Answer the question. I was just about to ask it as it is.”
The fae lord nodded. “Very well. When you place the crystal, when the barrier is demolished and the portals reopen, the guardians within the portal temples in Faery and the portal lobbies in Earth will see you. Your image will be shown to them through the energetic signals as the portals reawaken and open. It must be you that they see. If we are going to make you a legend, it must be you, and you alone.”
Hux crossed his arms. “Now I understand. You don’t want anyone from your court to be seen doing this, otherwise it’ll be an easy excuse to start a war.”
“But they already know I’m his kid,” I reasoned. “Why would that matter?”
My mate lifted a brow. “You are not an official member. I assume that matters.”
“It does,” Marigold answered, speaking up for the first time since the meeting began. She flipped her blown-out curls behind her shoulder like she was in some beauty pageant. “No court can declare war on another with legal cause unless that court’s member has transgressed against them. Aster is outside of Faery law, even being the blood of Lord Adair.”
“You little shit. You pretended like using Aster wasn’t to protect your own ass,” Mom snarled, looking really close to flinging herself across the table again.
My eyes went wide. How had those two gotten along enough to exchange names, much less make a fucking baby?
It didn’t seem natural. Maybe he had a different vibe twenty-two years ago.
Less nursery.
Dad held her back and moved the conversation forward. “Then why can’t Marigold be the one to place it? Or Huxley or Oz, for that matter? Why can’t I?”
Adair shrugged. “That is always possible. But we come to the next point, which is the liberation of the halflings, or Cuts, as you call them, from Faery. There are hundreds of thousands of halflings kidnapped from Earth and placed in harsh servitude in Faery. They are considered the lowest of the low, with many leaders treating them like they are less than sentient. It is slavery.”
“And yes,” I added with a roll of my eyes. “He’s only caring about this issue to get me to do what he wants.”
“On the contrary, it has always been part of my plan. But wars… wars are costly, as we know. My reasons for placing Aster in this role intermingle. She will be the halfling symbol, the one who exists beyond all borders and cannot be confined to one. She speaks to Earth and Faery and those in between. By completing this portal opening, she will also help avoid starting a war. I’m afraid that it’s very unlikely the halfling population would survive one, even one started for their sake.
“At this moment, the Councils do not have laws concerning Halfling Fae, and I believe they would pause before thinking of convicting her, especially since I am her father. Earth is rightfully wary of Faery leadership, and they will not risk our ire. She is the ultimate representative, the one that no one can control on either side.
“Furthermore, when the portals are opened, I’d like to create agreements with Earth Councils on standard, moral practices in our dealings with halflings. I imagine they will be very disturbed to hear that their people have been kidnapped for centuries without their notice. All of Faery will be forced to reassess their practices.”
My mind was whirling. I had ideas. Faery wasn’t the only one that would experience a reckoning, if I had anything to do with it.
“I agreed,” I reminded everyone with a sigh. “There’s no changing that I already said I’d do it. Fuck you for not mentioning the court war thing but whatever. It doesn’t change what I plan to do. I just hope it’s enough.”
Oz whooped.
Everyone flinched.
“This’ll be great!” Oz announced brightly. “When does it happen?”
“As soon as possible,” Adair said. “How fast can we make it to Giza?”