A Discovery of Secrets and Fate (Chronicles of the Stone Veil 2)

Now, it might just be her biggest threat is her sister Fallon.

For now, things were stacking up to be problematic. The Council of five gods announced there was a prophecy of doom coming that would put earth at great peril. It was vague as all prophecies are, but Carrick became embroiled when the god Rune offered him a chance to gain Ascension if he helped thwart the prophecy.

But Ascension wasn’t something Carrick was focused on at this point. His concerns were how to get Finley on board with accepting her fate, that she is an integral part in stopping the coming darkness. He’d worry about his reward later.

Carrick wasn’t bothered by her reaction when she left. Her denial was fueled by fear and mistrust. He let her walk out of his condo, knowing she probably needed some time to process everything.

“Have you spoken to Finley?” Titus asked, his deep voice rumbling with concern. Titus and Finely had gotten tight over the last several weeks while he’d been training her to hone her already-impressive fighting skills from her years of MMA training.

Carrick shook his head, drumming his fingers on the table. “I stopped by One Bean yesterday and asked for her. The day manager said she was sick with the flu and working from home.”

Titus nodded, understanding full well that Finley’s only way to cope at this point was to apparently hide and hope things would just go away. Titus was a hundred and twenty-nine years old—the benefit of living in Semper Terra where people didn’t age because of the magic there—and had seen many trainees come through the academy where annihilators were trained. It was often one thing to train and learn about the dark forces out there, but it was a far different thing when actually confronted with extinguishing it. Based on his training so far, Titus knew Finley was brave and had what it took deep down inside to step up to her destiny, but there was no shame in needing a bit of time and space to truly accept it.

The question was how much time, because no one had a clue as to when this dark calamity would be unleashed.

“She needs to get with it,” Zaid grumbled irritably. “She’s being selfish and immature.”

Based on his tone, one might think Zaid didn’t like Finley, but, in truth, he didn’t really like anyone. Carrick had become used to this churlish attitude.

“How much time are you going to give her?” Titus queried. “The longer we leave her alone, the harder it would be to pull her back in.”

“We can’t force her if she’s not willing,” Carrick replied.

“You’re just going to sit and wait for her to come to her senses?” Zaid demanded, then betrayed some of his feelings where Finley was concerned by adding on in a surly tone, “She’s in danger every minute she’s out there on her own.”

“I put a protection spell in place,” Carrick informed Zaid, who seemed to relax slightly at this news. “It will protect her and her roommates. But let’s put Finley aside for the moment.”

Carrick picked up his coffee and took a sip. If he was worried about Finley and her role in the prophecy, he didn’t show it. As ever, he appeared calm and unruffled despite the heavy air of disaster that seemed to be hanging over them. “We need to figure out Fallon. How and why she changed into a Dark Fae.”

“Clearly it’s related to the prophecy,” Titus said with confidence.

“I would agree with that,” Carrick replied. “It’s too coincidental knowing Finley will be a part of it with that feather showing up on her leg at the same time.”

“I’ve reached out to some people about the feather.” Zaid leaned forward, placed his arms on the table, and clasped his hands. “I haven’t been able to dig anything up yet.”

“Keep trying,” Carrick commanded. “Stan told us The Scryer in Faere might have some answers for us.”

Stan was a Light Fae who was content to live in the earthly realm rather than in Faere, the magical dimension his kind had created thousands of years ago so they could live without fear of the humans who greatly outnumbered them as their population numbers grew. He was also a seer who could see somewhat into the future, but apparently not with the clarity The Scryer in Faere could.

Stan had said there was a dark uprising coming, and that was about the most information they had on the prophecy so far. Given that Finley’s sister had turned into a Dark Fae, the coincidence could not be pushed aside. It was possible Fallon had something to do with that uprising. In all likelihood, she could be the catalyst for it.

“Zaid,” Carrick said, bringing his gaze to his friend. “I want you to call Fallon to set up a meeting for me this morning.”