“An echo?” Romulus leaned against his worktable, accidentally crushing a papier-mâché garden.
Halvor’s hand flexed, and Romulus braced himself for the news to come.
“She said the echo was so powerful, it knocked her from her chair, making her spill tea on her book. She mentioned she’ll be seeing you for the damages. It was her favorite book.”
“What does an echo have to do with me?” Romulus asked, the acid spreading through his stomach.
“An echo of that caliber can only manifest from the result of a successful quest. She did not say it outright, Second—forgive me if I’ve misunderstood—but she indicated this young woman’s quest is a result of your successful quest to sire her. Your quest was essentially leading toward this all along, which has compounded the impact of both quests.”
Romulus shook his head, unable to stop his hands from fisting and his fingers turning white with the pressure. “It is impossible, Halvor. I’ve been gone from the human world for…”
“Over twenty-one years, Second. Making any child you sired not yet twenty-one.”
“When I left, my beloved wasn’t with child. I would not have left if that were the case. I never would have abandoned a fae child, mine or someone else’s. I would’ve ignored the call of our people; you must know that.”
“Of course, Second. No one would doubt it. But women can be pregnant for some time before it shows.”
The chair creaked as Romulus rose. “I sent people back to check. To make sure.”
“As you recall, Second, the men were unable to find your beloved. They surmised that she must’ve changed her name. They did not feel the fae influence in the area and returned home.”
“Could the infant have been missed?”
“Sometimes, when the mother is human, the child’s fae blood is masked for some time. Diluted. It isn’t until the magic starts to manifest that it presents itself. Often a large event of great stress and pressure will bring about the change. Of course, most children of mixed lineage have weak magic. A few do get lucky and lean heavily toward the fae. Their magic and skills are mostly salvageable, though still not exemplary. Very rarely will a half-fae child develop strength and power that propels them beyond that which is their birthright. Given that your quest was to merge the human and fae blood, it stands to reason your child would be a diamond in the rough, called forth by fate and prophecy.”
“It seems you have done your research, Halvor, before bringing this to me. I can only assume you have more information to offer.”
The regal man bowed, ever so slightly. The harness of his sword, wrapped around his torso, issued a soft clink. He’d unconsciously flexed his chest. More disturbing news was coming.
“The elves have gotten various disturbing reports centered on a young woman. Now, I must warn you, they don’t seem to know if they are looking for one woman or two. The first has been whispered about for some time, apparently. She and a vampire are linked to a large disturbance in the underworld. After great contemplation, Lucifer is sure he glimpsed this woman from a distance—in the middle of a demon battle, of all places. He has requested a meeting with the elf king and queen to discuss the matter in more detail. Although few people have been informed of the reason for this meeting, those in the know have to wonder if he’s suspicious of the elves’ interference. How else would a non-demon woman get past his magical barricade? Given Lucifer is a mighty adversary, on par with the elf king in power and magical finesse, the elves are stopping at nothing to find this woman and question her.
“It could, then, be the same woman and vampire who have inspired the new rumors. We have heard reports that a young woman chased Vlad off a battlefield. For someone to do such a thing, she would need to be great in power. Vlad is a worthy foe.”
“I have heard many reports of him over the years, yes,” Romulus said, calling up a picture of the vampire in his mind. “He has as much presence in the human lands as he does in the Realm, I believe.”
“He has a foothold in the underworld, as well, I hear. Apparently, he has called this young woman an Arcana. He has judged this by her magical smell as well as her skill set. If these rumors are about the same woman, it’s possible they could merely be having a spat, as guardians are wont to do. It is dangerous to be in league with a vampire. That would be a black mark on her status.”
The room swirled. Memories flashed—of the quest illusion that had overcome Romulus one night after a Gathering. Of the excitement of embarking on his quest. When he’d first stepped through the portal, the sky had been so clear and blue, and the sun was almost hot on his face. He’d soon met a smiling beauty who’d transfixed him, placing him under the sweetest of spells.