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I’ve been researching dark magic,” Tory said, subtle as a bull, like always. “Old magic. The kind that predates the Awakening of our kind.” “Si. The Nymphs have been servants of the dark for a long time,” Miguel said, nodding. “Though it was only ever called dark by your kind. At least it was once the shadows were tainted.” “Tainted how?” “La Princesa de las Sombras.” “English, please,” I grunted, and his eyes flicked to me, a flinch of fear coating my tongue as his emotions shifted once more. “Sorry.” Miguel dipped his head. “They were tainted by the Shadow Princess. Lavinia. When she was banished to their realm and her curse bled into it.” “So you’re saying that before she entered the shadow realm, things were different? How?” I asked. Miguel hesitated, fear and uncertainty wrapping around me like a silk glove stroking its way down my cheek. “I want to be honest with you,” he said. “But…there is more than just my life at stake here. There are others who I need to protect.” “Others who don’t wish to follow Lavinia?” Tory asked, scooting forward on her stool, and I could tell she’d guessed right by the shift in Miguel’s emotions. He nodded. “Do you swear you won’t hurt them? They have never hunted Fae, never stolen magic. The few of them who have any of your power were gifted it just as our kind were in the days of old. By willing Fae already at death’s door, those waiting to walk beyond the Veil, ready to part with their power.” I frowned, wondering why even a dying Fae would ever agree to a Nymph taking their magic from them, but Tory spoke before I could.
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