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

“So what is the Nefral Weapons Trade?” Soren asks.

“The weapons are—” I point to myself. “Shadow fae.”

“That gives weapons a whole new meaning,” Ivan says.

“What’s so special about the stone?” I ask, getting us back on track.

“The stones were from Count Vlad when he crowned his false kings to rule the four territories of Borea. We believe they amplify power.” Kiki tells us about King Leith and his use of the stone. “And it’s part of the puzzle. We place all four in the compass and it’ll lead us to Count Vlad.”

Ivan rocks back on his heels then turns to Heather, “The demon presence has only been getting worse. I say we take to the streets. Between you and my guys, we can slay as many demons as possible.”

“Officially, that’s police territory so I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.” She winks. “In fact, I should be getting back. If there’s anything else I can do—” Heather says.

“In addition to gathering the stones, our fourth sister, and breaking the curse, we need to stop Glandias. It seems she’s gotten it into her head that she’s going rule the realms,” Kiki says. “Can you track her?”

“I can try. Given she’s not from Terra and not in our database, it might be tough, but we’ll look for activity.”

I tell Heather about the warehouse and the vats of stijl.

“Sounds sketchy. I love sketchy.” Heather’s grin makes her cheekbones even sharper.

“If regular police surveillance and investigation tactics won’t work to track Glandias, I might be able to—” Kiki says.

“No.” Soren immediately shakes his head as though understanding her meaning before the rest of us.

“Yes. As Lea said, I have a choice.” Kiki squares her shoulders.

“Remember what Nathina said. It comes at a cost,” Soren thunders.

“What are you guys talking about?” I ask.

“When Kiki left Terra, she went to the shores of the Sea of Dreams. It’s where she got the skyn. She was also given another gift,” Val explains. “She’s a dreamweaver. She can enter other people’s dreams.”

“And the weaving part?” I ask, intrigued. I’ve had plenty of bizarre dreams.

“She can weave her influence and her will into them. But it comes at a cost.” Soren’s tone is gruff, grave.

“A life for a life,” Kiki whispers.

No one says a word and I take the silence to mean the others forbid it.

“If it means I can find Glandias and stop her, it’s worth it.”

“But remember, Leith was a dreamweaver too,” Soren says.

“Why is that a problem?” I ask. I’m well versed in vampire lore, but all of this other stuff is new to me.

Soren explains, “Glandias was Leith’s mage. Before he died, he gifted Glandias with an obligation to carry out his purpose. His curse.”

“Some gift, but what exactly was his curse?” I ask.

“To fulfill the promise of the commander of the false kings—Count Vlad.”

“Wait. Wait,” Tyrren repeats. “Even through the haze of my warped vampire mind, my ability to keep track of details is operational. If Leith gave Glandias this provision to carry out his curse and serve Count Vlad, wouldn’t that prevent her from obtaining the ultimate power she seeks? Won’t she always be subject to the curse?”

I want to give him my smile, the one that’s only his. But I can’t bring it to my lips. I hope he sees it in my eyes.

“That depends,” Callen says. “Likely, but mages can layer spells and curses.”

Val shakes her finger. “No, I think Tyrren is onto something. The question is does Glandias realize it or is she so drunk in her quest for power that important detail escaped her notice?”

“Or did she perform a nifty little spell to break it?” Callen counters.

Val steps closer to him. “You, of all people, should know the extent of mage influence over previously existing curses.” Her eyes cut into Callen.

He closes the space between them. “Maybe we should test that theory? You, after all, are the great-granddaughter of a grim unseelie fae.”

“Would you like that, Wickedly Handsome Prince?” Val asks.

The fiery flirtation between them is practically visible.

Kiki huffs.

Soren clears his throat.

Ivan claps his hands together. “On behalf of your parents, I’m going to intervene here. I’m pretty sure both of them would like to see each of you happily reunited with your sisters and find true love. Be that as it may, you can call me Uncle Ivan—”

“You never made me call you uncle,” I interject.

“Correction, you refused, Lea. They say the toddler years are rough, try parenting an unseelie fae in another realm.” Ivan brushes his hand down his face. “Also, the teenage years haven’t been easy either.”

I cross my arms in front of my chest. “I was a perfectly respectable ten year old.”

“Ah yes, that was a golden time.” Ivan steps closer to me. “I’m sorry I haven’t told you everything. Much of it was bound in secrecy. The rest was to protect you.”

“Bound in secrecy sounds like something having to do with the Library of Memories,” Kiki says.

Val retorts, “Get off it, Kiki.”

She rolls her eyes.

“Girls,” Ivan says.

If I wasn’t shrouded in shadow, this entire scene would make me smile. And the way Tyrren looks at me, on the edge of hunger, like I’m the only one who can satisfy him, does, at least on the inside.

“I’m going to gather up as many of the X-Crew as possible. Do some serious demon-slaying. Kiki, do some of that dreamweaving you mentioned. We need to find Glandias. When we do, Lea, you’re going to do what you do best.” Ivan edges closer to Heather.

“I take it you don’t want me to be my adorable ten-year-old self.” I roll my eyes.

Ivan smirks. “No, quite the opposite.”

“Soren, Callen, and Val, you’re on stone duty. This may mean a