Page 35 of The Edge of Darkness

“I had only just arrived at Galenagh when the village I was staying in was raided. The villagers didn’t know what I was because of the glamour, but I saved them from the pillaging, and possibly their death, and in return, they spoke of my deeds in enough places to garner the interest of the king. That is what led me to you. As the⁠—”

“As the fates willed it. We get it.” My tone was clipped, but I didn’t care. Hearing of how Silas and Auren were fated to meet was digging at me.

Remic shifted on his feet, and his hard expression told me he wasn’t fully convinced either. He was right to be skeptical. Auren was too great of a power source to just let anyone near her without being vetted.

“I have some concerns,” I said, bringing Silas’s attention back to me.

“So do I,” he replied.

“What could you possibly be concerned about, other than fucking up the pleasant dynamic we’ve all just settled into?”

“Niall!” Auren spun to scowl at me, then she turned back to the Dionach. “I’m sorry for his delivery, Silas . . . but he’s right. I, too, must admit this is really horrible timing.”

He nodded solemnly. “I apologize for that, but I sensed you were in imminent danger, and when your trail led me to Benmoor, I knew something wasn’t right. Thankfully, Karios guided me to you.”

“Karios?” Auren’s voice rose. “How?”

“I think it’s best if we go take a seat somewhere. There is much I need to tell you.”

Remic and I shared a look, but before I could protest, Auren was leading Silas across the patio and gesturing toward the doors to The Keep. I grumbled but followed closely so that I could hear their continuing conversation.

“Thank you for sending your mate to help me with your fallen comrade,” he said to her. “Your friend with the dark hair had a hold of my arm, but we somehow got separated, and I materialized at the bottom of the steps.”

Auren swung her head around and glared at me.

What? I spoke into her mind, knowing full well what she was thinking just by the look she gave me.

He could have landed up here with us, but you were going to make him take the stairs?

I shrugged, and she rolled her eyes, turning back around.

“Her name is Morah,” Auren said to him. “And I’m sorry about the mishap.”

“It’s no trouble. I understand; I’m an outsider to you all. But I am your Dionach. I’m linked to your whereabouts and can follow you anywhere as long as I can sense you. Even if it means taking a thousand stairs.” With that, he glanced back over his shoulder at me, and I ground my teeth. “But I feared for your friend’s life while carrying him,” he continued. “He was dangerously pale, and his breathing was labored. Will he be all right?”

“I hope so,” Auren said. “His name is Fallon. He’s the rightful heir of Benmoor. Morah is his sister. Their father, the one you saw in the crypts, kept Fallon under poison for many years. That’s why he was in that condition.”

Silas swore under his breath and shook his head. “I also noticed another member of your group was injured . . .”

“Roirdan, the Mountain Court’s commander,” Auren confirmed, quieter this time. “Do you happen to know what those creatures were?”

“I believe so. And you’re not going to like where they hail from.”

“The Wastelands?” Auren’s eyes widened, and her grip on my hand tightened.

We sat side by side in The Keep, across from Silas, with Remic standing guard, while the rest of the group still tended to the needs of Roirdan and Fallon.

I had summoned a few of my most trusted healers to help with Maeson’s efforts, while we sorted this Dionach dilemma out. A quick mental check-in with Maeson confirmed that both Roirdan and Fallon were in the second floor’s private wing. I alerted her that help was coming, and that she was to demand anything she needed from the other healers, on my authority. Moments later, the additional healers entered from the inner passages of The Keep and scurried upstairs.

Silas continued to confirm our fears. “That’s correct—creatures of Lyceius’s making. Their venom is like acid, but worse. It seeps into the skin and causes it to rot from the inside out.”

The black veins in Roirdan’s arm . . . I sent the information to Maeson, hoping it would help.

Roir could handle pain. I’d seen him endure some pretty brutal wounds, including one that nearly took his leg clean off at the hip. But acid in his veins? That had to be fucking unbearable.

I narrowed my eyes at Silas. “How do you know?”

“When I was up in the northern parts of Belthria, there were sightings of creatures with their exact description. Rumors were floating around amongst the towns of how the animals were hunting in packs, stalking humans who ventured too far away from town. A few had been spotted lingering in the shadows on the outskirts of some farmers’ crops.”