A Battle of Blood and Stone (Chronicles of the Stone Veil 4)

“There are a few things we need to update you on,” Carrick said.

He then told Lucien about their trip to Faere, how Finley somehow tapped into dark powers when Deandra taunted her, and that they believed Arwen to be dead.

It was a little more personal when Carrick told Lucien about Finley’s sister, Zora, and how she contacted her. It was a bit of a bittersweet experience when he relayed to Lucien that Finley knew about her reincarnations and he took her to the Hall of Histories to see some of her memories.

Besides Maddox and Zaid, Lucien was the only other person in Carrick’s life that knew Finley in each of her past lives as she was reincarnated each time. That brought a small smile to Lucien’s face, which was an oddity for sure.

With all of that laid before Lucien, it now came to the part where they had to talk about the Blood Stone.

“Zaid’s father, Boral, has been working with us and has gained access to Kymaris’ inner group,” Carrick informed his brother.

Lucien’s eyebrows shot high in astonishment. “And Zaid agreed to that?”

Lucien and Zaid were more alike than not, both having done horrible, unconscionable things, which sadly, weighed on their consciences. Carrick knew that Lucien’s role in getting Charmeine trapped in the Blood Stone was probably at the top of his list.

“Zaid has come to a reluctant acceptance of being around his father,” Maddox answered his brother’s question. “Boral agreed to be bound by heart rather than tongue, and the information he’s bringing us is unparalleled.”

That was a good set up to segue closer to the real reason they needed Lucien here.

“Kymaris is going to enact a ritual called confractus muros on the October new moon,” Carrick told Lucien. “If she succeeds, it will bring the veil down between the Earth realm and the Underworld.”

The implications of what would happen at that moment didn’t need discussion. Lucien knew full well what unleashing the denizens of Hell upon Earth would mean.

“The October new moon is just about four weeks away,” Lucien pointed out. “That’s not much time to stop this, assuming you have a plan.”

Carrick’s gaze shifted to Maddox’s for a moment before looking back to his brother. “We do have a plan, and we need your help.”

“Of course,” Lucien replied, the oath of loyalty being given without thought. Carrick wondered if he’d hold true to that once he was told what they were after.

“Kymaris needs a powerful object to enact the ritual.” Carrick briefly paused before adding, “The Blood Stone.”

Lucien’s normally golden-tanned skin went so pale that even his lips lost their color. “Does she have it?” he asked hoarsely.

Carrick shook his head. “No. Not that we know about. Boral will let us know if that changes. But she does have her followers out looking for it.”

Lucien relaxed slightly by that news, his gaze shifting off to the side as he pondered this. Carrick could almost see the wheels spinning inside his head.

“We know about Micah and Charmeine,” Carrick said softly, but the words landed like a boom of thunder.

Lucien’s head jerked, his eyes slamming onto Carrick. The pupils were hazed red, and a growl started low in his throat. “Why in the fuck didn’t you just lead with that?” he demanded.

“Dude,” Maddox said with a hint of apology in his expression. “The subject matter seemed to require some subtlety leading up to it.”

Lucien glared at Maddox before giving his attention back to Carrick. “You read Libri Mysteria. How did you even find it? I thought it was lost.”

“It was here in my library,” Carrick explained, filling Lucien in on how Myles had been told about it at a party, had seen it in the stacks, but hadn’t bothered with it since it was in Latin. “I’ve collected thousands of books and manuscripts over the centuries. Don’t even remember how I got it.”

Lucien heaved a sigh, letting his head fall back to stare at the ceiling. Keeping his eyes there, he asked, “And you’re sure the Blood Stone has to be used?”

“Yes,” Carrick replied.

“And you plan to get it?” Lucien guessed, his head lifting and his attention back on his brother.

Carrick nodded, then made the request. “We need your help. We don’t know how to get to Micah’s realm. We need force to take it.”

Lucien didn’t respond, but rubbed his hand over his jaw in agitation. The mere fact he didn’t readily agree to help retrieve the stone spoke loudly since he had already loyally pledged his help. Carrick felt a pang of guilt for getting that pledge before giving his brother the full story.

The silence extended, which didn’t bode well, and compelled Carrick to ask, “Is Charmeine still alive within the stone?”

Lucien shrugged, but there was nothing blasé about the action. “I don’t know. She was when Micah cast me out.”