Brimstone (Fae & Alchemy, #2)

by Callie Hart

“After we killed Old ’Shacry, the horde left Ajun, descending back down the mountain, and the people inside the city came out to bury their dead. Renfis’s sister was among their number. Merelle had always loved Ajun, so Ren asked the city elders if she could be buried here. They gave her a burial site at the very top of the mountain—a high honor, in thanks for the sacrifice she made to protect the Ajun Fae. “As soon as we were done laying Merelle to rest, Renfis felt a burning pain in his chest, much like the one he described just now. We were on our way back down into the city when he dropped down to his knees and let out a terrible roar.” “It wasn’t that bad,” Renfis cut in. “So loud it caused an avalanche,” Fisher said, attitude coloring his voice. “The other mourners who’d been burying their loved ones at the top of the mountain knelt with Ren and began to pray. None of us had any clue what was happening. But the Ajun Fae told us that, as soon as your blood was one with the mountain, you belonged to it in a way. That, because Ren had buried his blood relative here, and she was his twin, no less, he was now a member of the Ajun Fae.” “And only the Ajun can be called to join the knighthood who guard its gate,” Ren said quietly. “So… you were called back here to watch the gate?” “Not the gate that protects the city, Osha. The other gate.”