Suddenly, Krantz breaks through Laurel’s hold. It’s impossible, and yet, he seems as sure of himself as ever. Laurel freezes, but only for a moment before she’s up again and stalking toward him. She smirks at Krantz, but then her face falls. True fear enters her eyes, and I don’t understand what’s happening, but I can’t focus with the waves of pain that continue to wash over me. I drop to the ground once more, vision blurring. I catch a look of pure glee on Krantz’s face as Laurel backs slowly away from him. His eyes make a quick calculation, darting around the glade, and before either of us can react, every fae surrounding us has disappeared, Silene and Fionn included. I vaguely hear Laurel’s cries of desperation and rancor before I lose consciousness, the pain from the wound finally overtaking me.

Laurel

It is said that blood mages can create potions and spells for other magic users, though this has never been confirmed. Whether this is because it is not true, or because blood mages are so infrequently willing to share their magic, this scholar cannot say.

Blood Magic Through the Ages

“Guards, guards!” I scream in panic as we arrive in my rooms. Thorne is dead weight, and it takes all my strength to slowly lower his large body to the ground without hurting him or myself. His blood covers us both, the scent tinged with the acidic rancor of iron. The two guards Thorne insisted I keep at my door rush in and look upon the bloody scene before them, eyes wide with confusion and fear. I’m grateful for their presence at this moment, even though it had annoyed me to no end when Thorne had declared I must have guards for my rooms. “Get me Admon and your Lieutenant Captain,” I order with my aether-voice.

They pale, though one of them breaks through the order long enough to say, “What about Captain Carex, Your Majesty?” I snarl, and they look terrified, but I don’t care. Not right now.

“Carex should be considered a traitor to the crown. He’s not to be informed of our arrival,” I hiss with the aether-voice again. He’s the only person who could have betrayed our secret to the rebels, the only person other than Admon who knew of the mating bond, and I trust Admon implicitly. I will not risk Carex gaining any additional information.