Page 224 of Captive of Secrets and Storms

My pulse pounds as I hold his blue eyes.

The question forms slowly, reluctantly. Like part of me already knows the answer and fears what will happen when I hear it out loud.

“You’re…” I swallow hard. “You’re Light Fae?”

“Surprised?” He smirks, but it’s forced. “Honestly, I’m shocked you didn’t figure it out sooner. My light could sense yours the first time we spoke at dinner.”

His light sensed mine?

I bite my cheek.

My power never acted strangely around the Mountain Fae.

Is it because I’m not full-blooded? Is my magic lacking due to my diluted bloodline?

The power in my veins flares hot with disapproval.

Sorry.

The agitated magic cools to a low simmer.

I shake my head and stare at Anders when Rian’s parting words play in my head.

Protect your bloodline.

“You knew…” I drop my gaze. “All this time?”

“Yes.”

I stare at my feet, watching the chilly water flow over my toes, lingering for a few seconds before retreating out to the sea.

“Is that why you took the time to tell me about Calla?” I lift my head. “Were you trying to give me a hint?”

“Partially.” He shrugs and crosses his arms. “But I was genuinely surprised to see the late queen’s journal in your possession. I knew you were part Light Fae, but that book confirmed a lot of things for me.”

“Like what?”

His lips part.

“Not to break up your little family reunion.” Silas’s shout cuts off Anders’s impending reply. “But I could use some help over here.”

In a blink, Anders and I rush out from behind the cliff concealing us.

My stomach rolls at the carnage left behind by Silas’s shadows, but the organ drops to the sand when I see Darius collapsed on the dock.

“Gods!” I race across the sand, ignoring the bite of sticks and pebbles against my naked foot.

Anders blurs past me.

He reaches Darius’s side.

“Take cover!” he orders.

Two sparks fly from his fingers and into Darius’s manacles.

I drop, belly first, onto the beach. I shield the back of my head with my hands.

Two explosions follow in quick succession. Their force presses my face into the ground. Breath punches from my lungs as grains of sand scratch my skin.