Queen of the Fae (Dragon's Gift The Dark Fae #3) - Linsey Hall Page 0,23
to be done with this place. We reached the other side of the building, stepping through the archway that was now missing its door and into the forest beyond. From where I stood, I could see a path that had been trodden down in the dirt. It was faint, but definitely there, leading from the doorway into the thickening forest.
I used my seeker sense, hoping it would pick something up. It tugged in the direction that the path led.
Tarron knelt to study it. “Good idea to go through. We wouldn’t have seen this if we’d gone around.”
“Are those hoof prints?”
“Yes. From the gait, it looks like they belong to a two-footed beast.”
“A Satyr, perhaps?”
“That would be my guess.” He stood and started down the path.
I joined his side.
The path was quiet, with just the faintest sparkle of magic in the air.
“I don’t feel like we’re alone,” I murmured, inspecting the empty forest around us.
“I think there’s something we’re not seeing.”
Tension tightened my muscles as we walked. I didn’t dare draw a weapon yet—no need to provoke—but my fingers itched to.
Finally, we reached a clearing. A ruined coliseum stood in the middle of it. Not as big as the one in Rome, but impressive nonetheless.
“Head for it?” Tarron asked.
“Yes.” I started forward, eyes wary.
We reached the coliseum a few minutes later. I leaned back to look up at the towering walls. “I think we should enter.”
Tarron nodded. We found an entry and made our way through the darkened corridor to the front, where the area opened up into the sunlight. Empty stadium seating encircled a fighting ring, and I swore I could hear the clang of swords and the shouts of viewers.
I leaned toward Tarron and whispered, “Do you hear that?”
He stepped closer. “I do.”
“Let’s go to the top.” I didn’t know why I felt drawn there, but I couldn't resist it.
We climbed to the top, and I felt the rush of energy through the ancient stadium. “People are here. We just can’t see them.”
“Agreed.” Tarron’s voice sounded wary, and his posture was alert.
Finally, we reached the top. I turned around to inspect the coliseum below. It was still empty.
Wind blew my hair back from my face, and the place was eerily silent.
“It took you long enough.” The voice from my right was oddly high-pitched, with a roll at the end.
I stiffened, turning.
7
About ten feet away, a Satyr stood on two hairy goat legs, his top half naked. A scraggly beard decorated his small chin, and two horns stuck up from his head.
I stepped forward. “I am Mordaca.”
He inclined his head. “Fabius.”
Tarron joined me. “I am Tarron, King of the Seelie Fae. We seek the Guardians of the Eternal Flame.”
“You and that other bitch.”
“She’s been here?” I demanded.
“Whoa, whoa.” He held out his hands, palms facing me. “Don’t get pushy.”
“I’m sorry.” I stepped back, lowering my voice. “She’s dangerous and we’re trying to stop her from reaching the Guardians. She means them harm.”
“Oh, I could determine that.” His black eyes glinted. “Sent her the wrong way, I did. And didn’t give her the sight.”
“The sight?” Tarron asked.
“It would allow you to see what is truly here.” He gestured to the stadium, and then to the landscape beyond.
“The people?” I asked.
“And the magic.” He nodded. “It’s the only way to make it safely to the Guardians. You must be approved and gain the sight.”
“How do we do that?” Tarron asked.
“Why, through me, of course.”
I waited, hoping he would elaborate.
He didn’t.
“What do we need to do?” I ventured in my politest voice. It didn’t sound natural on me.
Fabius scoffed, as if he wasn’t buying my act. But he continued on anyway. “What are your skills?”
I raised my brows. “A bit of premonition.”
I considered telling him I was a Dragon Blood and could do almost any magic I wanted, but decided to hold on to that unless absolutely necessary.
“I am a conjurer and possess the elemental powers,” Tarron said.
“Ah, quite nice!” His eyes glittered. He held up a hand and showed us two fingers, like a peace sign. “Two things I would like. From you, Tarron, King of the Seelie Fae, I would like the finest golden lyre in the land.”
Tarron nodded. “Done.”
“And from me?” I asked.
“I would like you to find me a lady. A satyress. There is one for me. The gods have told me so. But I haven’t found her yet, and I want to know if I must go somewhere to find her.”