Xander’s hand snaked out to squeeze Zane’s.
The Sylvanese heir nodded as if acknowledging some silent exchange, and continued. “They were not dead. It was a trap. As soon as the nets landed in the boats, the fish began to snap, their teeth razor sharp and dripping with some kind of venom the same color as the algae. We lost seven of our men that day. Those not killed outright died later, succumbing to whatever poison was transmitted from the bites.”
Effie sucked in a breath. Not surprised by the news so much as stunned that the corruption spread so quickly.
“The lake has been dammed to stop the spread of corruption, but whatever the algae comes into contact with rots and decays. We have started to drain the nearby lakes so that they cannot be tainted, although there’s no telling how long such a solution will work if the rest of the land becomes infected as well,” Zane finished, his golden skin flushed with emotion.
The Sylverlands had been named for the metallic hue of their water, which was so pristine it was rumored to be infused with liquid silver. For one of their lakes to become corrupted must feel like the worst kind of attack. Not just on their land, but on the very essence of who they were as a people.
“Have there been any Shadow sightings, either prior to the discovery at the lake, or after?” Ronan asked.
“A few days prior,” Zane said, shifting to face the red-haired warrior. “A hunting party thought they saw someone spying on them, but when they went to investigate, there was nothing to be found. They did not realize what they had seen. It wasn’t until they reported the odd shape of its limbs and fingers that Xander and I put the rest together. Until we received your message, we didn’t realize the two events might be connected.” Zane shrugged. “The sighting was just before the announcement of Rowena’s death. We assumed, perhaps naïvely, that her abominations would die with her, so we focused instead on mitigating the spread of the algae.”
“Do not be too hard on yourself. No one thought that the creatures would survive her death,” Ronan said.
Zane dipped his head in thanks.
“You will go to Sylverlands. See what you can learn about the nature of the corruption. Check the lakes as well as the area where the Shadow was spotted. Report back with your findings.”
“All of us?” Effie asked, her eyes darting to Kieran before shooting back to the dais.
“Is that a problem, Daughter?”
Blushing, Effie shook her head.
The Guardians made sense; they were trained for such tasks and had centuries of experience to back them. Plus, they were the Triumvirate’s eyes, going where they could not and sharing what they found. Ronan and Reyna were also highly skilled fighters and diplomats in their own right. As for her, Effie was the one whose visions had pointed them down this path in the first place. Perhaps any new discovery would trigger additional insights. But what purpose did Kieran’s presence serve?
Effie wished she knew if Smoke was the one standing before her. Then she might risk asking. She would also dare to ask had she been alone with any member of the Triumvirate, but not in front of the others.
“When do we leave?” Reyna asked.
“As soon as possible,” Lucian responded. “Go grab what you need for an overnight visit and report back to the main archive. Once we’re all gathered, we’ll travel by Kaelpas stone to avoid delays.”
Kael gestured for the Sylvanese men to follow him back through the side door. Zane paused after a few steps and turned back toward the dais. “Thank you.”
At the Keeper’s inquisitive head tilt, the Sylvanese heir elaborated.
“For offering aid. It is rare for any of the Keepers to involve themselves in such matters. We appreciate your guidance at such a trying time.”
“The Keepers do not hold themselves apart because they do not care. Oftentimes to intervene in any way risks interfering with what must come to pass.”
“So what has changed?” Xander asked.
Zane shot his consort a look filled with censure, as if his impudence might make the Keeper reconsider.
Effie wasn’t sure who was more surprised when he actually answered.
“We find ourselves on the verge of something so horrific that to not be involved only guarantees our destruction.”
Goosebumps raced down her arms. She’d known as much from their discussion the day before, but to hear it stated so bluntly, especially from a man who rarely offered up anything less than vague half-truths . . . it was sobering.
The color drained from the faces of the Sylvanese men as they processed his words.
“But you can help us stop it?” Xander asked, voice hoarse.
“That remains to be Seen.” With a slight bow, he turned and left the sanctum, effectively putting an end to the conversation and any further questions.
Chapter 4
Sylverlands’ beauty would have been enough to take Effie’s breath away, if she’d recovered enough of it to have any to lose. Travel by Kaelpas stone was notoriously disorienting. She considered it a sign of progress that she’d remained upright with the contents of her stomach intact, even though she was covered in cold sweat and her knees felt wobbly.
Ronan grinned at her. “Timmins damn near shit himself the last time we made him travel by stone.”
Effie gasped in shock before snorting with laughter. Timmins was the Kiri’s Advisor. He was a master of protocol and all-around know-it-all, at least when it came to propriety. The thought of him losing control in any fashion was enough to bring some color back into her cheeks.
“Poor guy,” Effie murmured fondly. Timmins had a grandfatherly air she’d always found endearing. She hoped he hadn’t suffered too badly.
Squeezing her shoulder, Ronan stepped around her and moved to stand beside Reyna, who was positioned further down the hill. As always, the Night Stalker looked completely unruffled.
Effie turned away from her friends and back to the incredible view before her. They’d arrived on top of a small hill overlooking a massive lake. The water was so pure the reflection of the sky gave the impression that the world had tilted upside down. If not for the random ripple in the otherwise smooth surface of the water, one might imagine they were walking amongst the clouds themselves.
A stone castle was nestled behind a couple of hills along the horizon. Deep navy blue flags with silver waves emblazoned in the center blew gently in the breeze. The climate was cooler here, lacking the oppressive humidity of Bael’s jungle. Effie wrapped her cloak more tightly around her shoulders, thankful for the extra layer of warmth.
It was a serene picture; one that made it easy to forget why they were here. Death lurked in the shadows, and it was coming for them all.
Effie gave a start when a voice began speaking just behind her.
“I thought the benefit of the Kaelpas stones was that we didn’t have to travel further upon arrival.”
“Don’t,” Effie snapped, not bothering to face the intruder.
“Don’t what?” Kieran asked.
“Act like nothing happened,” she hissed, incensed that he’d try and pretend otherwise.
“You’re the one who slapped me.”
Eyes flying wide with incredulity, Effie spun toward him.
“At least you’re looking at me,” he said lightly, a self-mocking smile ghosting across his mouth.