The Shadow Princess (Chronicles of the Stone Veil 6)

“Imagine the power she’s accumulated by the deaths of all her soldiers out there in the thick of battle,” Bastien adds. “Time is of the essence for us to make our move.”

I know there will be plenty of debate on the issue, but I still have questions about blood magic. “Why does she need my blood in particular? One of her soldiers told me she needed me alive and with most of my blood.”

Bastien growls at the other end of the table. It’s the first he’s heard that bit of news.

Everyone is silent as they absorb this thought, and apparently, no one has an answer.

“Laina,” I say, drawing her attention, “in your opinion, have we exhausted all research in our texts and tomes on how to stop her?”

She nods. “I’m sorry, Thalia. We’ve been trying for seven years to figure out how to defeat her magic. We’ve made little headway.”

“Then we must go to someone who has knowledge of blood magic.”

“Absolutely not,” Bastien barks, slamming a fist onto the table and causing almost every person except me to jump. I knew this would set him off. “I know who you’re talking about, and there is no way in hell you’re going to see him.”

Some of the Conclave members regard each other with confusion, but I dismiss it, more concerned with nipping Bastien’s domineering ways. “Let me remind you, Commandant Dunne, that you don’t own or control me. I can do what I want. I believe our best option is to go see my uncle, and that is what I intend to do. You are welcome to come,” I say as an afterthought.

“I don’t understand,” one of the newer Conclave members asks, a woman about my age named Nastia. “Who is this uncle?”

“Hephastus. He lives a hermit life in the valley of the Rosethorn Mountains. He was banished for using blood magic going on twenty years ago.”

Laina exchanges an uncomfortable look with a few of the older Conclave members, and I can tell that they’ve considered Hephastus in the past but rejected it.

“He’s not just a hermit,” Bastien interjects. “He’s not right in the head. And he doesn’t just know about blood magic—he practiced it himself, doing prohibited things that led him to be permanently banished from Kestevayne.”

“But if he has knowledge that could help us defeat Ferelith, we must try.” This comes from another Conclave member, a young man by the name of Constantine who is also a recent addition. Apparently the younger members are more progressive in their thinking.

“Then you go see him,” Bastien snarls at the man. “He’ll probably cut out your liver for a sacrifice, but we can’t risk Thalia’s life or safety.”

Constantine pales at the thought.

“I agree,” Laina adds. “This is too dangerous to risk Thalia over. I think she should steer clear of her uncle. I’ll go in her stead.”

I sigh. “He won’t see anyone but me. I understand everyone’s concern, but I am going. We’re out of options.”

Bastien tries a softer approach. “Thalia, please don’t do this. We can’t have suffered all these years waiting for you to come back only to have you offed by a crazy uncle. For all we know, he’s in league with Ferelith.”

I was barely seven when Hephastus was banished, but I remember nothing but good things about him. He’s my mother’s brother and was always kind to me. I know it broke my parents’ hearts to cut him out of our lives, and I suppose he might be bitter about it, but I have to believe he won’t harm me.

“I’m sorry. My mind is made up. I’ll leave tomorrow.” I look at Bastien directly. “Since you seem to have appointed yourself my overprotective guard dog, I assume you’ll come with me?”

He grits his teeth, but nods. “Of course, I will come with you. But traveling is going to be a problem.”

I frown. “Why is that?”

“The Rosethorn Valley is Ferelith’s territory. She has shields up that prevent bending distance to any point inside and then northward to Kestevayne.”

“So we’ll bend distance to the top of the mountains and travel by horse from there,” I say.

“It’s Ferelith’s territory,” Bastien reiterates, something I didn’t need to be told twice—I get it’s dangerous. “If we bend distance, we can’t take troops with us for protection. And we can’t afford the time to travel by horse all the way there. It will take almost a week for a ground march.”

Bending distance has its advantages, but it also has severe limitations. Those without strong magic cannot do it on their own, and those who can do it cannot transport large groups. Bastien and I would do fine with our horses, but more than that isn’t an option.

“We’re just going to have to be careful.” My tone is unconcerned, and I know that probably irritates Bastien, but I can’t afford to let fears hold us back. Hephastus is our last chance to figure out a way to defeat Ferelith’s blood magic.