Fire and Cinder by Christina Bauer

Author:Christina Bauer [Bauer, Christina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781946677594
Publisher: Monster House Books

34

Jacoby

After changing into more formal clothes, I step into my main reception chamber. It’s a long and rectangular space made of wood. A line of benches surrounds the walls. I smooth the folds of my tunic and wait for the inevitable. Sure enough, it happens.

Low knocks sound at the main door. I pause and count to twenty before answering. It wouldn’t be good to seem overly interested here.

I pull the door open. Froth stands on the cobblestone path outside. He’s a squat figure in his black cloak. The pointed face of his plague mask gleams in the morning sun. He leans against his cane.

“Hello, Prince Jacoby.” Under that cloak, Froth is not a unified being as most fae are. Instead, he’s a conglomeration of countless tiny particles. All of which is why when he speaks, Froth sounds like a thousand low voices whispering at once.

“Greetings, Froth.” Turning, I march into my home.

I don’t bother inviting him inside. Froth knows to follow me into the chamber. Once we’re both inside, Froth gets right to business.

“I am here for one simple reason,” says Froth. “Your herd is gone. Your power is nil.”

Over the years, I’ve learned to carefully school my features. For a fraction of a second, my eyes widen in surprise. I quickly restore my look of calm detachment, but it’s too late.

Froth can tell that his accusation has caught me unaware. Normally, my spies give me a heads-up on any rumors about my supposed weakness.

But can Froth be right? Is my herd really gone?

The moment I stepped through the portal, I knew something was wrong. Normally, I would have gone to check on my herd at close range. But they seemed so peaceful, I didn’t want to bother them. Then Agatha fell ill. Whatever worried I may still have held got pressed to the back of my mind as I focused on healing her… and then watching her recover.

I turn the idea over in my mind. It isn’t possible for my entire herd to have vanished. That would require more power than I’ve ever seen in Faerie. Which leaves one option.

“You’re lying,” I state.

“Cast a spell,” retorts Froth. “Prove me wrong.”

My muscles tighten with shock. For the first time, I consider the fact that my herd may actually be stolen away.

I simply must know the truth.

Magic swirls inside me all the time. I now pull on that energy and focus it before me. An orb of power materializes between my palms. I speak an order in my mind.

Show me my herd.

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