order to cast a spell like that.”
Mr. Tuner released an exasperated breath. “Let’s get our focus back on the barrier spell.”
“No, let’s decide once and for all that we’re going to call our troops,” Jace told him.
The Council members began debating whether or not to summon their guards before or after the barrier was reversed. Jace and Nick argued their side, and the room broke into shouts.
The ruckus made my head hurt. Members of the Shythe Council argued, Lana and Nick debated whether or not to inform Devon of something, and I just needed…air.
I slipped out the backdoor, shutting it silently behind me. The chilled, night air cloaked me, and I settled on the Tuners’ back porch, staring into the dark sky. My first thought was that if there was going to be a fight, I had to warn my mom. But I didn’t know how to do that without freaking her out. I couldn’t scare her right now. She finally believed I was safe. I buried my face in my hands. But she wasn’t safe. If the Narcos thought I was the “one”—whatever that was—then they’d look for me at home.
I pulled out my communicator, but halted typing when I heard the door squeak behind me. “Dez?” Jace said.
“Yeah, I just needed a moment. I have to contact my mom.”
Jace sat down beside me. “We already have. Well, we didn’t fill her in on the specifics, but there are guards watching her house.”
“Thank you.” I released a heavy breath, running my hands over my face. “You said there are others. A Feyan Army?”
“From what I’ve learned, there was an experiment to find, or create, this prophesized Kythan that could break the curse. But they supposedly disposed of the failed attempts.”
I nodded. “Yeah, my mom escaped when she found out they were killing them.”
“Well, they weren’t.” He ran his hand along my back. “They told the parents that, but secretly raised an army. I mean, why dispose of power that great when you can manipulate it into a force to use for your own gain?”
It made sense. My chest burned as I thought about Reese being part of this army. He had been raised to kill. He’d lied about his mother and her escape. He’d lied about everything. But I couldn’t wrap my mind around what his intentions had been for me.
I looked into Jace’s glowing eyes. “What did you overhear? What did you learn?”
“The Feyans’ mission was pretty simple. The Peace Act, for all intents and purposes, was legit. The Narcos wanted to unite the races in order to start a full on breeding gone wild. They were getting desperate to find the prophecy child.” He paused, his eyebrows knitted together. “The Feyan were on search and find—discover the escaped subject and find out if she harbored the ultimate power.” He shook his head. “They were to gain the subject’s trust. Manipulate her into believing the Narcos were here for a good purpose. For some reason, it was vital that Reese gain your trust.” He cleared his throat. “If it was reported back that the missing subject couldn’t be found, was dead, or that she didn’t hold the power, then the plan to unite the races would continue in order to produce the ‘one.’”
My stomach churned, threatening to make me lose its contents right there. I hugged my midsection, rocking. “That bastard.”
Jace pulled me into his arms and rested his chin on top of my head. “Want me to kill him?”
“Yes.” I clamped my eyes shut, urging the stinging tears back. “No. I don’t know.”
His breath caressed my hair as he breathed out heavily. “At least you found out the truth before it was too late.” His body stiffened. I’d almost been with Reese. My soul flooded with guilt at the thought of Jace walking in and seeing us together.
“Jace…I’m—”
“It’s okay. You didn’t know.” He held me tighter. “I’m just sorry I couldn’t work faster and figure it out way before now.”
I pushed the thought from my head, blocking out the ache in my chest. “So, now that Reese knows that we know…” I bowed my head against his arm.
“I have a feeling since I botched his mission, that yeah, they’ll come for you—try to take you any way they can.” Jace pressed his lips to my head. “But they won’t. I won’t let them. And whatever your power is…whatever reason they want you so badly, we’ll figure it out. Together.”
He finally released me, and I fell slack. I