Starkeeper of the Fractured Crown

“Did you bring a Fallen General with a weapon onto the street because you weren’t thinking too?”

“No, that was on purpose. I wanted some answers.”

“From us?”

I frowned deeply. “Yes, Madam Levine, I brought him on here to torture the answers out of unsuspecting victims.”

She clicked her tongue in disappointment. “You do realize how much they fear you, right?” she asked gently.

Irritation filled me. “I don’t see why. They’re the ones with powers. All I have is a bow.”

She tsked me again. “You also have the ability to walk on both sides.” She carried a stool around the counter. “You mustn’t forget that, dear. We must trust that you won’t decide one day to tell your High King about us. Just as you trust that we won’t dismember you on any given day.”

I lifted and dropped my hand. “I’ve been coming here for years.”

“And how long did we all live in peace before the witches convinced the world that the humans caused the Fall?”

I sighed. “I know, but—” I froze, eyes flicking up. “Sorry, what?”

The old wolf smiled. “I may be old but I’m not stupid. Sit.”

I shook my head, my thoughts whirling. “No, no, I assumed no one knew about that.”

“Sit,” she enunciated, pointing to the chair. “Of course, people know, they just don’t like talking about it. Especially around ahuman.” She eyed me.

All these years I thought people were just ignorant, blind, refusing to admit the truth. “If people know about it, why isn’t anyone doing anything about it? If people know that the witches areusingthe humans as their own pawns, why does everyone hate them so much? And why isn’t anyone saying ‘no, enough is enough’?”

MadamLevine lifted a brow, still standing beside the chair.

When she didn’t answer, I frowned and walked over, dropping into the stool with a huff.

She quickly headed over to the shelves, content with my forced decision. “I can’t speak for the world, but I can speak for myself and those on this street. It doesn’t matter who is running the show, what matters is the power. No one in this world has the power to confront the witches and deal with the matter at hand, not even Trick Michael.”

Cole looked over, raising a brow.

I pressed my lips into a thin line.

“Now, Talaroe, I assume you’ve shielded the shop.”

“I have.”

Madam Levine appeared in front of me with a small bowl, the too sweet scent of Mersine Berries touching my nose, quickly reminding me of the last time I had had some.

I frowned, finding her eyes. “You said you didn’t have those.” My stomach started to fill with heat, but I forced it to shift into disgust, hatred, irritation. I shouldn’t have liked what he had done to me that day. Nobody normal would have.

She smiled devilishly. “I don’t. This was a gift, stolen from the Fallen Court by a handsome sea captain.”

“Stolen?” Cole asked accusingly.

Madam Levine shushed him. “Now, put your bow and quiver on the counter. Take your veil off, let’s get them all if we’re going to take care of them.”

Cole frowned, causing me to smile as Talaroe came toa stop at the other end of the counter.

“Cole,” the warlock said.

The High General sent a glance towards Talaroe before turning back to me, and after a soft nod, he went to join the warlock.

I stared at their backs for a moment longer before setting my things on the counter only to hiss when my bow stuck to my hand.