nodded. “I know. Don’t worry, he’ll get over it.”
Turning away, I stayed silent with Stryx still on my shoulder. We made it all the way to the door with one foot already outside when I heard Ryland’s roar. “Where is she?”
“Keep going, Kaliah. You can deal with him tomorrow,” Stryx said as I let the door close behind me and ported home.
Porting came so naturally, I hadn’t even realized I’d done it until we were standing at the guest house door.
“Talk. Now,” I demanded, because I was over being confused and it was going to end immediately.
Chapter Eleven
Stryx didn’t say a word until we were inside, and he made me confirm that Jordan wasn’t there, either. Why that mattered, I had no idea, but I didn’t really care as long as he started to spill whatever it was that he knew.
Even though it had only been three days since I arrived in Arvayta, I felt like I’d been a part of this place for the last year through my dreams. Waiting any longer to figure out what role I played in all that was happening was not an option.
Stryx stood on the arm of the couch, his wise eyes staring at me for much longer than necessary before he spoke. “So, you know Alaryk is the dark fae who feels he deserves retribution for his family that died because of the decision your grandfather made which ended up killing all of the pure fae.”
“Yep. Got all that down. Tell me something I don’t already know,” I replied.
His feathers bristled, but he continued. “When the Fates predicted what would come of you and your magic, they not only said what might go wrong, but they also talked about what could go right. There is a reason I spent an entire year preparing you as best I could, Kaliah, and it’s time you knew why.”
Thank the freaking Fates.
“As you know, we’re bonded, but it’s not just because your blood comes from mostly fae. When the bonded animals were created for the fae, it was only the purest and strongest who received the gift of a bond. You’ve already been told that the Fates only step in when the scales of good and bad tip too far in the wrong direction. Well, they are worried Alaryk is stronger than any of us are prepared for on our own.”
“What do you mean? Stronger how?” I asked.
“I’m not sure. The Fates have to be careful with what they disclose. I don’t have much information other than the bonded animals will be coming back, and even Arvaytans with minimal fae blood in them could be assigned one. The Fates are giving us a huge advantage here.”
“So, we know Alaryk is stronger than the rest of us, but the Fates’ solution to that is to gift the guardians with bonded animals. What else?” While all of that sounded good, it still didn’t tell me how we moved forward or how we were supposed to defeat the dark fae.
“Well, for one, you have to be the one to kill Alaryk.”
My face paled. There was no possibility of me being able to murder someone. There had to be another way.
“Just breathe before you pass out,” Stryx huffed, clearly irritated with my more human side.
“I can’t do that,” I said when my heart slowed.
“You can and you will, Kaliah. I need you to focus on what it means if you don’t. Good people will die if Alaryk continues to live. His dark magic will seep into you, and what you think so horrid at the moment will become a common act, because if Alaryk doesn’t die, he will make you just like him.”
“So, you’re saying that if I don’t commit murder, then I’ll become a murderer?” Great options. Super freaking great.
“I know it’s not ideal, but yes, those are your choices.”
“Not ideal. Right.” I snorted. “Why me? Why not someone who has been doing this for a few decades like Ryland?” If he was good enough to be my trainer, then he should be good enough to off the dark fae.
“Ryland will have his role in assisting you, but he cannot wield the weapon required to do the job.”
“What’s his role then?” I asked.
“Well, as you’ve already found out, Ryland is your Meraki. He is almost as important to you as I am. The stronger your bond grows, the stronger you will become. He will train you and he will assist in making you the best fae you’re capable of