Rattle the Stars

Chapter 18 (Finally)

Side note: Let me clarify. Aelin does not have her full power back. Though I have accidentally framed it that way a few times, her powers are there but diminished. Not full strength. Also, I have reverted back to Sunday updates.

I'm truly sorry my chapters have been taking so long lately.

Velaris. Panic rushed through Aelin in a wave even as she fought to push it back. Velaris, the beautiful city. The room around her was a flurry of motion as the collected fae rushed about. Cassian and Azriel had already launched themselves off the Palace's balcony, wing beats fading. Feyre launched to her feet, teetering slightly but determined. 

"I need to go help- I can use my Summer Court powers to assist the fires-"

"Feyre, it's not safe," Rhys interrupted.

"And?! You've flung me into so many dangerous situations that I've lost count."

"The baby, your health-" Territorial fae males. Feyre drew herself up, shoulders squared. "The baby will be fine, Rhys. I'm going to help."

"...Then be careful. No fighting."

"No figh- by the Cauldron."  Feyre huffed, winnowing out of the room. The Night Lord turned to Aelin and her remaining court next. She could smell fire, burning ash on her tongue. Rowan was stiff, just behind her, but she gave him a look- Stop hounding me and leave. Stifle the fire, do whatever you can to help- and Lysandra followed, quickly shifting with Rowan and diving out the window.

Fenrys had winnowed as well, leaving her and Aedion to be winnowed into shadow and dark. It seemed worse than usual, more haggard and terrible. She clenched her jaw, and soon it was over.

Thumping onto the cobblestones, the city was silent and fearful. However, the screaming had stopped. Aelin sprinted forward, diving through crowds that parted, confused at who she was, in her wake. Step after thundering step, until she was in the middle of a silent ring. Her mouth went dry.

Wyrdmarks, sketched out on the stone streets, smeared with both black and red blood. The store next to it, advertising different wares for the Palace of Thread and Jewels, was burning with a sickly sweet scent. Rhys was trying to calm the crowds, reassuring them. The trust his people had in him was really remarkable.

Aedion ushered her forward, dragging her down so she could attempt to read the marks. Her fingers traced the material, already flaking. One thing was clear. This had been a hit and run- the Valg no longer remained. Cursing loudly, Aelin wished the language wasn't so hard to read.A curve there, meaning...defense? No, destruction. She shook her head, golden hair flying, before moving onto a new one. 

This one she knew intimately. Captivity, of some sort. A hazed memory of seeing that same Wyrdmark on the shackles binding her wrist at Maeve's hands.

Standing, Aelin gazed at them. Wait- there was a pattern. She frowned, swept her eyes over the marks, and chewed her lip as they slowly fell into place. Well, this was interesting. Turning to look at the assembled crowd, she sighed. Rhys had winnowed away to another part of the city.

"What happened, exactly?" A man with no pupils, a scaly neck, and a makeshift weapon of an ax, most likely from the woodcarver across the street, came forward.

"They came, hooded. Started sketching with blood, such. A few of us," The fae gestured. "Came at the creatures with weapons. The High Lord always tells us when there will be any new arrivals, so there was something off. We stabbed two, right in the heart-"

"Those creatures can't die from a stab in the heart."

"Right, we noticed. Really killed one, and the other two got the message and left." Aelin doubted one had 'gotten the message,' but let him continue.

"There were three total?"

"Yes. And what were they doing? A ritual?"

Aelin sighed, barely able to believe this was happening. She lived in one- no, two, worlds, full of monsters. "Of some sort. It was a spell." Rhys's voice echoed suddenly in her head, making her jump. How Feyre ever got used to it, she had no idea. Luckily she possessed what the Mindwalker considered a passable shield. Probably because she was always on edge.

I've checked with the others on the two sites. All the Valg are gone. Rowan tells me you can read these marks on the ground?

Yes. There at all the sites?

That's what I've been told. Why?I

 have a theory. It was interesting to talk this way, shoving her thoughts into the unknown. And she did- a way that she now knew what the Valg had been doing.

There was a stirring behind her, and she didn't move from her spot over the Wyrdmarks as both Courts were winnowed in. Cassian looked haggard, Morrigan was chewing her lip, while Feyre was pale. Rhys had obviously already checked his mate for safety. The annoyance and affection flickering in her eyes spoke for itself.

They gathered, shuffling about into a circle, while Aelin sighed and shoved her tight braid over one shoulder. Conversation interrupted: courses of action, possibilities- finally, she had to interrupt them all with a flaming hand.

"I'm sorry- I really don't want to say this, but we need to talk to that tool again." Feyre blinked. "You mean Tamlin?"

"Yes. This attack wasn't offensive. It was defensive." Aelin's words lingered in the air, hovering. The plan the monsters had all been making was smart- and could have worked if the spell had been completed.

"The Valg were attempting to stop the Portal spell."