The Evolution of Fae and Gods (Chronicles of the Stone Veil 3)

I then fell into an exhausted sleep. Given the fact Carrick is not in bed beside me as I come awake, I’m guessing he went off to do important things. I have found that demi-gods don’t need a lot of sleep—I’ve noticed sometimes he goes days without it—and I often wake up alone, which is something I’m reconciled is a downside to being with him.

And I always remind myself of the biggest downside, which is that we have an expiration date.

My head rolls on the pillow, and I see on the bedside clock that it’s almost eleven AM. A tiny bit of guilt rolls through me because as the supposed “key” to thwarting the prophecy, I don’t have a single thing to do that will help advance our cause.

Rainey is managing the rebuild for One Bean, and, I have to admit, that was genius of Carrick, not merely for alleviating me of the burden, but also in recognizing Rainey needed more than what she was doing.

Carrick is reading the Libri Mysteria, Zaid is reaching out to contacts on the seedier side, and Maddox is traveling among alternate realms, searching for anything he can find on the ritual and whatever powerful item Kymaris might need to bring the veil down. In this respect, we have a leg up as she doesn’t have demi-gods who can bend distance and travel all over. Although she’s collecting Dark Fae, the extent of their powers is unknown. But since she’s collecting them for something, my guess is she doesn’t want them out of her sight.

The only one not actively doing anything at this time is Lucien, but Carrick hasn’t called him in to help just yet. He’s a prickly one and if we want his help, we’d rather save it for battles we may have to face.

The only thing I’ve done of any worth—and that worth is probably only to me—is contact Zora. Carrick made it clear last night, when I was addled by orgasms and exhausted to the bone, that I can’t do that again unless he’s with me.

“It’s not that it’s a bad idea to try to contact her,” he had lectured, which was hard to concentrate on because he was also very naked and godly looking as he hovered over me in bed. “Just not without me, okay?”

I nodded, somewhat distracted by his chest.

“Promise,” he demanded.

And because I respect him, I don’t want to worry him, and he didn’t flat out deny me contact, I raised my eyes to meet his and promised.

Then we argued because he wanted me to agree that I had to put Zora to the rear until we had stopped the prophecy, then we could mount a rescue.

We argued for a long while, as a matter of fact, because this was something I wasn’t willing to compromise on. While I realize the actual rescue might have to wait, there was no reason we couldn’t start planning it.

That’s what I intend to work on today, I decide.

After rolling out of bed, I slip on my clothes. For a sliver of a moment, I think about poking my head in Carrick’s office to say good morning, but I know if I do that, I’ll probably end up naked on his desk.

Not that that’s a bad thing.

It’s always a good thing.

In fact, I have a feeling if we fail in the prophecy and our world starts to burn with demons and Dark Fae, we’ll go down together locked here in the condo, wrapped in each other’s arms.

It’s funny that now when I think of dying, I’m not so much bothered by it actually happening—because I think I’ve come to grips with my role—but I’d be devastated if Carrick wasn’t with me when it occurred. So I could at least have that last moment to tell him I loved him, and he could go on to Ascension knowing how I felt.

But I bypass his office and head to my room to take a long, hot shower. I actually take some extra time to tame my hair and put makeup on. I know it will cause anyone who sees me today to do a double-take, but I’ve got nothing pressing to do.

Moreover, having alone time in my bathroom while I mindlessly work to make myself pretty gives me plenty of opportunities to mull over my problem with Zora.

Clearly, I need to try to contact her again. Our interaction was too brief, and I threw overwhelming information at her. Anyone would be inclined to disbelieve a disembodied voice invading their mind and saying off-the-wall stuff like that.

Hopefully, she’s mulling over what I told her. Maybe she’ll be receptive to another try, which I will do with Carrick’s assistance as I promised, but I think I’ll give her a few days.

I do have one fear, and that is Rainey’s suggestion that Zora is dark—meaning evil—and could possibly be in league with Kymaris somehow. It would be easy enough to brainwash Zora. I would think twenty-eight years in Hell would make even the strongest mind breakable. And there has to be a reason they left her alive since we know changelings don’t survive the ritual. So, there is an incredibly good chance Zora could be their secret weapon.