Kalian leaned against a cold stone wall, running his thumb over the edge of his obsidian dagger. A Human male was bound to the chair before him, still screaming despite the gag muffling his voice. Kalian tilted his head, the only sign of interest he displayed. He kept his features blank. Frozen. Empty.

    "Do you want me to stop?" He asked in a gravelly tone. The man nodded vigorously, tears dripping down his cheeks. "Are you going to tell me what I wish to know?" The man nodded again.

    Kalian allowed his magic to fade. The pale blue glow around his hands vanished and the icy swirls in his wings shimmered. He straightened and ripped the gag from the male's mouth. Kalian flicked his chin with the tip of the dagger, then gestured for him to speak.

    "I've never heard of the village you mentioned," the man rasped.

    Kalian narrowed his eyes. "You're sticking with that story?" He raised a hand, magic writhing at his fingertips.

    "Wait, please!" The man jerked against his ropes. "I'm just a Captain. I don't have the information you want. You have to find someone with a higher rank! Someone with access to old records and reports."

    "Who?" Kalian demanded.

    "I...I don't know. A General, or, or maybe a Commander."

    "Who?" This time, his cold voice was laced with a snarl. "I need names."

    "Alesander! There's a Commander near Tower Dawn named Alesander. He might know something!"

    "Might?" Kalian tightened his fist around the hilt of his dagger. "You would send me after this Commander on the off chance that he might know something? Tell me, Human. Why did you choose to join the Ironblades?"

    "To rid the world of cruel monsters like you!" The Captain spat in a moment of bravery. "Look at you! I've done nothing to you and yet you're torturing me! The stories are true. Night Faeries are nothing but cunning demons who deserve to die!"

    "And Day Faeries are benevolent gods," Kalian murmured. "Do you believe that also?"

    "No. They deserve to die as well. All of you do!"

    The ice in Kalian's veins hardened as his anger swelled. He flared his wings and wrapped a fist around the Captain's throat, forcing the Human to meet his gaze. "Did my little girl deserve to die? A child who had never harmed anyone in her life? Did my wife? The woman who worked herself to the bone caring for injured Humans after the Soleone War?"

    "All...of you," the Human grunted. "You all...deserve...death."

    Magic surged through Kalian and a familiar dark calmness settled over his senses. He sheathed his dagger and released the Human. The man gasped for breath. Kalian stared at a spot on the wall as he situated his hands on either side of the man's face. With a sharp twist and a resounding crack, the man sagged in his ropes.

    Kalian stepped back, ignoring the crooked shape of the man's neck. He made his way out of the room, each step echoing through his pointed ears like a clap of thunder. He reached the main floor of the house and approached the first sink he found.

    Kalian scrubbed blood from his hands and face, though the warm water did nothing to help him feel clean. Guilt constricted his chest, but he ignored the feeling. He always did. He lifted his head and caught sight of himself in the mirror. Kalian studied his own features, wondering if his wife would even recognize him anymore. If his daughter would still poke the corners of his mouth up into a smile on the days when all he could do was frown.

    In a physical sense, he'd aged very little in the past two years. Like all Faeries, Kalian had matured at a Human's rate until he reached his twenties. Then, his aging process had slowed and he settled into the seemingly immortal lifespan of his own kind. Now, at 205 years old, he still only looked to be in his mid twenties.

    The only things about him that had changed were the scars on his wings and back, and the hollow look in his denim eyes. Kalian splashed his face with water again, spying a few flecks of blood still staining his tanned skin. He gripped the edge of the counter, drawing in deep breaths. Slate black hair hung just below his brow, and its damp ends curled against his neck.

    Kalian shook his wings out while drawing deep breaths. At last, he forced himself to move on. Across the hall, he spied the Captain's office. Perhaps he'd find something more substantial there if he searched it a second time. Kalian began rooting through drawers and cabinets, examining every letter and map he came upon. There didn't seem to be much that could help him in his search.

    Then again, if the Captain had known he was coming, he might've had time to burn his more important documents. Kalian turned to the fireplace. His limbs locked into place as he stared at the crackling flames. Any papers that had once been there were nothing more than ash now. There was no reason he should go any closer. Kalian pried his gaze away and examined the room once more.

    Something fluttered into his palm. Kalian knit his brows, gawking at the letter which was now clasped between his fingers. He recognized the seal and tore it open at once. Kalian skimmed over the contents and raked his fingers through his hair.

"Of all times, Gabriel," he muttered. "You need me when I'm busy." He sighed and stuffed the letter into a fold on his reinforced leather suit, before leaving the house.

    Kalian spread his wings and thrust into the sky, letting the warm air currents carry him away from the Human's home. Wind ruffled his hair and Kalian closed his eyes, drinking in the fresh scents of soil and rain. Spring had come to Orphic. His favorite time of year. At least, it used to be.

    Kalian soared over the rolling green lands that made up the Night Faerie kingdom. Across the gleaming Astrum River, just beyond his sight, lay the Day Faerie lands. Both races of Faerie were ruled by a King and Queen of their own kind.

Kalian had only met the King and Queen of Day a handful of times, while he was well acquainted with his own King. His Queen was less familiar, but he had heard the stories. The last time Kalian had seen them both was at their coronation ceremony, following the end of the Soleone War seven years ago.

That war and the actions of the former King and Queen of Day were what had caused the formation of the Ironblade group. Emeric and Ezlyn had kidnapped Humans and used magic to turn them into vicious creatures known as Soleones. They'd ordered their people and the creatures to march on the Night Faeries and eradicate them.

If it weren't for the help of the three Human Governors, who led their people to aid the Night Faeries, his kind might have been gone for good. After the war ended and Emeric and Ezlyn were killed, tensions between Humans and Faeries began to ease. Kalian had foolishly hoped that things would continue to progress, but then the Ironblades arrived and his people became targets.

    Kalian had seen Scindoes, the offspring of Faeries and Humans, be slain for simply bearing a Faerie's unnatural beauty. Witches were killed for using magic and their diluted Faerie blood. All Witches were descended of Faeries, which made them fair game to the Ironblades. It didn't matter how ancient their blood ties might be. And pureblooded Faeries, no matter how old or young, were cut down like animals for slaughter.

    Memories flashed before his eyes, but Kalian shoved them down. He was about to speak with his King and Queen for the first time in seven years. He didn't need to arrive only half lucid and trapped in his thoughts. Kalian put on another burst of speed, and the outline of Noctis became visible on the horizon.

☽◦༻◦☽◦༺◦☽

    Kalian landed beyond the gates of the Royal Estate, a mansion where the royal family lived. Guards stood at attention, waiting for him to approach. He folded his wings close to his back and strode up to the gates.

    "Kalian Deirdre," he said. "I received a summons from General Gabriel on behalf of King Arius and Queen Iyan." He flashed the letter before the guards, ensuring they saw the royal crest on the wax seal.

    "So, the Shadow of Death has graced Noctis with his presence once again," one of the guards sneered. "You know, people like you are the reason Humans fear us so much."

    "And people like you are the reason no one important can ever get any work done," Kalian replied, wielding the same frigid tone that had sent lesser men to their knees before him.

"The General will meet you inside," the second guard said, nudging the gates open. "And for the record, I hope you find that son of a bitch and make him suffer for what he's done."

    Kalian gave a curt nod and passed onto the grounds. He followed the cobblestone walkway up through sprawling gardens until he reached the front doors of the manor. A familiar male was already waiting, a small smile on his lips.

    "Gabriel," Kalian acknowledged his old friend.

    "Hey, Kal."

    "So, the King has need of my service?"

    Gabriel nodded, a terse look filling his amethyst eyes. "They'll explain everything themselves. Just...keep an open mind about all of this. Iyan and Arius need all the help they can find right now."

    "All right." Kalian trailed him into a vast corridor, lined with sparkling crystal windows and an assortment of paintings.

    He studied the paintings briefly as they passed by. Most of them depicted his King and Queen together. A few featured their young daughter, Rhosyn, named after King Arius' late mother. She had Queen Iyan's auburn hair and her father's eyes, sapphire with pupils ringed by silver. Her wings also held silver swirls like the King's.

    Kalian's heart clenched with momentary pain. Princess Rhosyn was six years old. Only a year older than his Yara had been when she died. "Kal?" Gabriel called. He stood just outside an ornately carved set of double doors.

    "Yara would've been seven this autumn," Kalian whispered to himself.

"What?"

He shook his head and joined Gabriel. "Sorry. I was just thinking."

    Gabriel frowned, but didn't question him further. He pushed the doors open and entered the office. Four people were already waiting inside. Kalian recognized Gabriel's wife and the Queen's sister, Asena. The pale female beside her was Esen, another General and Gabriel's unidentical twin sister. The King and Queen themselves sat near the fireplace. King Arius rose as they entered.

    Gabriel closed the door while Kalian bowed to the King. "You summoned me?" He asked, arching an eyebrow.

    "Yes. We have a...delicate assignment. One that your skill set qualifies you for," the King answered.

    Kalian crossed his arms. "I'm listening."