Page 32 of Whispers of Ruin
“Or a threat. Until we know what they’re doing here and why awitchis with avampire, I’m not letting anyone go.”
Allegra’s eyebrows shot up at this revelation, and her attention shifted to Brokk. His pointed ears standing up through his tussled hair clearly indicated his fae status. The blond hair might throw some off, but it was nowhere near as blond as the light faes’.
Besides, his blond hair now looked brown due to the soaking they’d endured, but he still didn’t have the coloring of the dark fae. His gleaming red eyes were those of a vampire, as were the outline of the fangs behind his compressed lips.
Allegra’s confusion grew as she studied him before her attention shifted to Kaylia. “Whatis going on?”
Kaylia lifted her chin when Allegra gazed at her with betrayal and disgust.
“I’m more interested in who they are,” Ryker stated.
“She’s Kaylia Montague, the oldest living witch and the creator of the crone realm. She’s extremely powerful.” Allegra paused to survey Kaylia and Brokk. “And could be of use to you.”
She said this last sentence with obvious reluctance. Kaylia almost rolled her eyes but reminded herself that she’d been a lot like Allegra until recently. She didn’t know how this witch didn’t know about all the changes in the realms… or maybe she did and didn’t care.
There were still some witches and vamps who harbored hatred for each other, and they always would.
Allegra’s gaze raked scornfully over Brokk. Whereas she restrained herself from rolling her eyes, Brokk did not.
“I don’t know him,” Allegra said.
Ryker nudged Brokk with his sword. “Who are you?”
Brokk’s lips remained clamped together as he stared straight ahead. Though he couldn’t see it, over his shoulder, Ryker’s face darkened. Brokk remained expressionless when Ryker pressed the blade a little deeper.
“Stop it!” Kaylia shouted at him.
She jerked against the guards again, but their hold on her only tightened. The tip of one of Brokk’s fangs glinted in the fire when his lips curved into a sneer, and an inhuman sound issued from him.
Eyes wide and hand at her throat, Allegra edged away from him. Kaylia felt the tension in the clearing spiraling out of control and toward something disastrous.
“He is Brokk, house of the dark fae!” Kaylia blurted. “Brother to King Colburn of the dark fae and soon-to-be king of all the Shadow Realms.”
In the silence accompanying her words, the only sound was the crackle of the flames beneath the cauldron. Even the jungle remained oddly hushed as they absorbed her words.
“Tove is the king of the dark fae,” Ryker finally said, “and the Lord rules the Shadow Realms.”
Brokk’s jaw remained clenched before finally easing enough for him to speak. “My father is dead, and my brother now rules the Gloaming and the dark fae. The Lord is also dead; he has been for months. How long have you all been here?”
“Far too long,” Ryker muttered.
“Whyare you here?” Kaylia asked.
“To save our king,” Ryker answered. “Is the Lord really dead?”
“Yes. Many immortals came together to destroy him.” Brokk fixed Allegra with a pointed look while he spoke his next words. “Witches and vampires worked side by side to ensure it happened and continue to help each other now.”
Allegra’s nose wrinkled in disgust as she shook her head.
“It’s true,” Kaylia stated. “Just look at the two of us. Why else would we be together?”
Allegra’s eyes traveled between them, but Kaylia could tell she still wasn’t moved by their words.
Ryker rubbed the stubble on his jaw while eyeing Brokk. “Many of King Tove’s sons were mixed species.”
“I’m dark fae and vampire,” Brokk said. “Obviously.”
A smile tugged at the corner of Ryker’s mouth before he suppressed it. “It seems we have much to catch up on. Bring them to my cabin.”
