Fae of the South (Court of Crown and Compass Book 3) by E. Hall (libby ebook reader .txt) 📕

RIP. Then again, there, I’d be locked up and away from anyone I could bite.

Lea compels me to get into the back of the vehicle. We lay down, hiding as others shout orders for water to contain the blaze.

From my reclined position, the blood turns to ash, falling like flakes of snow. For a moment, I imagine a peaceful winter’s day. I cycle from fear to confusion. Lost in thought, suddenly both doors open.

Lea waves her hand over my face.

I’d almost left the fog but return now, feeling numb all over, and not inclined to move.

Beside me, she lays still, barely breathing.

Two men get in without looking in the back. The armored vehicle rumbles to life.

“That was close,” says a smooth voice from the driver’s side.

“Being a raven shifter has its benefits.” The other guy lets out a gruff chuckle.

“But we’re not out of the woods yet. Being a king has afforded me many things, but that didn’t include driving lessons.”

“It’s probably the same as riding a horse,” says the one with the gruff voice.

“Did they have war wagons such as these in Raven’s Landing, King Soren?”

“No, they did not, King Callen.”

They start to speak formally and then both laugh.

King Soren must be the one with the gruff voice. The one attempting to drive is King Callen. I’ve never heard of them. Maybe they’re part of some kind of gang like the Brooklyn Vampire Club—maybe they’re X-Crew.

“I learned that Glandias was moving the shadow fae that remain to another facility,” Soren says.

“And I thought it was bad back in Borea.” Callen sighs.

They’re from the other realm. Lea shifts slightly beside me.

“It boggles my mind to see what Glandias has already established here,” Callen says.

“Ah, another piece of information I gleaned while in raven form. This was all someone named Emeric’s doing.” He pauses a beat. “Why does that name sound familiar?” Soren asks.

“Because Emeric is the king of the Southlands.”

“If that’s the case, he was the king of the Southlands. Glandias destroyed him. At least that’s what she said when she took over the facility, replacing him.”

“Destroy like a vampire or demon?” Callen asks.

Soren makes a grunt of affirmation.

“That means no one is ruling the Southlands,” Callen says. “Then where is the crown or more importantly the stone?”

“Question of the day.”

The vehicle lurches forward.

“Question of the day is more like how do I drive this thing?” Callen asks.

“Want me to give it a try? I bet you could drive headlong into the building and free the rest of the fae.” Soren sounds excited by that prospect.

“Not a bad idea. But I’m guessing the guards that Kiki called police officers won’t be too pleased. They arranged everything—make the bombing look like X-Crew, tip off the police, and free the fae.”

We’re moving now and by the sound of it, away from the burning building.

“Good point. I guess we’ll have to trust that the girls are taking care of business.”

“They’re not to be messed with.”

Callen laughs darkly. “I learned that lesson the hard way.”

“I had no idea Kiki was so cunning...and good with explosives.” Soren sounds slightly concerned.

“She is fae,” Callen says as if that explains it.

“Seelie fae,” Soren corrects.

“All the same, fae are hardcore.”

“Ooh. Look at you picking up on the Terra slang already,” Soren teases.

“I try.”

“Okay, try not to hit that—” Soren shouts.

The Humvee slams into something solid.

Lea’s hand reaches for mine as we thump into the backs of the seats.

“Whoa, whoa. Sorry about that,” Callen croaks.

“I’d be better off shifting and flying out of here,” Soren says.

“Yeah, but we need to pick up the girls at the checkpoint.”

“Do you think they found Lea and Tyrren?” Soren asks.

Lea turns abruptly to face me. I let myself get lost in her eyes, let them anchor me to my mind—to the life I knew before I was turned.

Her face squishes up like she’s going to sneeze. I have the vague memory that her sneezes are the cutest sound, but now is not the time. She squeezes her eyes shut. The tiniest muffled sound escapes.

Soren looks over his left shoulder. Our eyes meet. His are blue. Panic rises within me but thirst squelches it.

The two guys in the front are absolutely silent for the space of three seconds. They get out of the Humvee. Maybe they’re assessing the damage. Perhaps Soren doesn’t have good eyesight.

Lea holds my hand tight, willing me not to move a muscle. Above, all I see is vast darkness.

I roll over hills of various scenarios, valleys of doubt, and uncrossable chasms of debate. What do we do? We have to get out of here. Why didn’t Soren acknowledge me? What would happen if I bit a king? The back gate of the armored vehicle opens.

Lea sits up and in one swift motion, blasts the two figures with ice. Only, they weren’t human. One was a wolf and the other a raven. They dodged out of the way so fast, I wonder if I imagined the whole thing.

Chapter 23

Leajka

Being shadow fae comes with its benefits.

One, I’m ruthless.

Two, my powers are enhanced.

Three, I’ll do anything to survive, including blast these two bumbling idiots.

But they disappeared. Rather, the wolf and the raven ran and flew away, respectively.

I slowly get out of the armored vehicle, surveying my surroundings. We’re on a service road. Not far away, the dull hum of firefighters battling to control the blaze reminds me that we’re still in danger.

A hand locks around my ankle and the king who called himself Soren launches out from under the armored vehicle and flips me onto the ground. I land with a hard thud and without hesitating