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

Do you think Emeric found the monster and was planning on using it against the nats in Terra?”

“When we fought, he duplicated and he wanted my shadow for himself. Maybe he took some of the Grunder’s grim magic for himself too?”

Soren traces the rune on the last page of the book. He presses his palm flush and all at once, the street disappears in a whorl as gray as me. I spin and spin but don’t get dizzy. Forceful energy shunts me forward in one big push.

I land hard on rocky soil. Large plumes of dust obscure the sun for a moment. Then it clears, glowing a faint, eerie red. The splotch that I was accustomed to in Terra is bigger here.

Kiki’s ice-blue magic lights up nearby, followed by Val, illuminating the Grunder. I cast my magic and it too is darker, less crimson.

“Where’s the sea?” Val shouts.

Callen coughs as the dust settles. “Should be to the north.”

“Soren, the compass is in my pocket,” Kiki says as she keeps her magic trained on the beast.

He clicks it open and leads us in that direction. It’s incredibly hard work as the three of us keep hold of the thing and move it at the same time. On more than one occasion, we falter and it lashes out with its sharp claws. Val tucks back, losing her hold.

Kiki and I fight to keep it until she thrusts out another blast of magic.

“Where’s a mage when you need one?” Callen grumbles.

“Yeah, Timolian, if you can hear us, we could use your help,” Soren shouts.

“You still have that Holdr Horn?” Callen asks.

“Yeah, but I don’t think this is the moment. We have to trust the girls. They’ve got this.”

It’s slow going but the briny scent of the sea soon fills the air. Only, instead of a sandy beach, steep cliffs drop to a raging ocean below.

“Whoa,” Callen says. “Not the blue-green shores of Hesperia, that’s for sure.”

“It’s like the Grand Canyon with only one side and filled with water,” Tyrren exclaims.

“Angry water,” Kiki mumbles.

The waves are several stories tall and could probably take out most of the buildings in Brooklyn.

When we get the Grunder to the edge, its energy shifts, resisting us as though it knows we’re going to push it over. It lashes its claws and gnashes its teeth.

Kiki bites hers together. “Did this just get harder?”

“Exponentially,” I say.

Val concentrates, casting magic full stream.

We all try to move it over the edge, but it doesn’t budge.

“Guys, we have a problem,” Kiki shouts over the crashing waves. “We can’t get it over the edge.”

Tyrren’s eyebrow arches as though he already realized. “You two are shifters, right?” He points at Soren and Callen.

They both nod.

“The three of you can fly?”

Kiki, Val, and I nod.

“I’ve never summoned my wings though.” I’m drained and feel like I’m fading fast.

“There’s no time like the present.” Tyrren claps his hands together.

“What are you suggesting?” I ask.

“Callen shifts into a wolf. The Grunder chases him over the edge.” Tyrren demonstrates with his hands.

Callen’s eyes widen with horror. “Not a fan of that plan.”

“But the raven and three fae catch him midair while the Grunder goes splash.” Tyrren throws his hands up.

The three of us look at each other.

Kiki is pale.

“I’m afraid it’s that or lose this battle,” Val says, pushing her magic out with all of her might.

Callen and Soren shift in a magnificent show of fur and feathers.

Kiki and Val’s wings shimmer like snow in the sunshine.

I summon my wings, feeling a peculiar prickling sensation along my back. When they burst forth, Tyrren’s mouth falls open.

I glance up at a pair of dull gray wings.

“Wow,” he says, stepping closer. “That was amazing.”

If my cheeks could tint, they would.

“You up for this?” he asks.

I nod, but even if I wasn’t, there’s no time to ponder the pros and cons.

Kiki and Val have dropped their magic. The Grunder slices the air with its arms and begins to lumber toward us. Callen, in wolf form, runs laps around the Grunder. The beast’s gaze follows him and he moves in an awkward circle like a cat chasing a spinning toy.

I hold my breath as Callen jumps over the ledge.

Val shouts, “No.”

The beast teeters, losings its balance. I thrust my crimson-gray magic to push it over the side.

With wings spread, Kiki and Val drop along with Soren, not wasting a moment. I rush to the edge and leap, fluttering my wings, getting used to the way they move and feel.

Val and Soren have a hold on wolf-Callen and Kiki moves in to help.

All at once, my wings dissolve like snow on a warm day. They’re gone and my stomach flips with dread as the crashing waves and rugged rocks at the base of the cliff get closer.

Chapter 28

Tyrren

 

When Lea disappeared over the edge of the cliff, she had wings. Now, she doesn’t. The Grunder is nearly to the water and she’s right behind it. Her legs and arms pedal wildly. I watch in horror.

I’m reminded of Ivan’s initiation. This time I’m ready to jump, but what would I do? Go for a swim in the water that swallows Lea? There’s no way I’d get down there in time to save her.

I shout, trying to get Val, Kiki, and Soren’s attention, but the rushing water is so loud, I doubt they can hear me.

The Grunder splashes, sending up a spray so high, it reaches the others. Lea is right behind them about to crash into the sea.

I close my eyes. I’m going to jump. If I can find her, I can bring her to the surface. I have no idea