Tribulation: Ascension Series, #5

By Laura Hall

I am Princesa Fiona Sullivan Ní Lir, stormborn Fae. Power permeates my blood. Lightning answers my call. I've proven myself over and over again. So why do the men in my life insist on treating me like I can't defend myself? Like I'm a liability instead of a force to be reckoned with?

I'm sick of it. And I'm going to prove them wrong.

When the archaic vampiric council, the Conclave, summons me to stand trial, I think it's my time to shine—until I'm thrown into a windowless cell to await execution. But if I've learned anything, it's that Fate throws curveballs. And this time, She doesn't disappoint. There's someone else down here with me, someone my mother the Seer warned me about.

And this someone is the key to defeating Morrighan once and for all.




 

 

Tribulation is the fifth installment of the Ascension Series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Laura Hall
• Release date: Jul 15, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201943714

Book preview

1

Sweat trickled along my hairline, sealing small tendrils to my temples. My arms shook from maintaining extension. The smell of ozone was thick. A shadowy figure darted in my periphery and I spun on my heel, sending a bolt of plasma into the space right before it. The shadow turned bight green and dissipated, and from a safe corner of the training room, Adam said, Three out of five, Fiona. Not bad. His Opaline aura flared, then faded as he released the spell.

But not good enough, I replied, wiping sweat from my eyes. I crossed the room, my newly acquired sneakers squeaking on the polished floor. Taking his offering of a hand towel, I shook my head. Lucian said no ward can withstand plasma, but if he’s wrong, or if I miss . . .

You won’t, he replied firmly. We can’t gamble on whether or not Morrighan will transmute, unguarded, in our presence. This is our best shot.

I would zap her, and with her protective wards down, Adam would think her dead.

Shaking out my fatigued arms, I said softly, He won’t tell me anything else. And he always mutes his thoughts when I bring it up.

Adam paused. Perhaps he’s worried she can still control him.

It had occurred to me as well. Of his role once in Maghmael, Connor had informed us that he would keep all weapons—magical or otherwise—from barring our path. His tone brooked no argument, and I had yet to muster the courage to ask why he wouldn’t use the full scope of his power against Morrighan. A part of me didn’t want to know.

I glanced out a high window to see daylight fading. I should get cleaned up. They’ll be here soon.

Adam glanced at his watch and nodded. Twenty minutes or so.

Tomorrow morning, around eight? I want to play with knives.

He smirked. I’ll be here.

Thanks, Adam.

He nodded and departed, leaving me alone with my thoughts. Tomorrow night was the party, and the following morning, the three of us would leave for the Sidhe. To rescue Daphne and Ethan, and kill a Fae queen. If we could.

I’d run through a zillion different scenarios, but every one of them came back to Morrighan’s death. She’d never let me live in peace. I’d be looking over my shoulder for the rest of my life, fearing abduction. Imprisonment. Slavery.

But why hadn’t Morrighan made me a slave already? Having felt the crushing weight of her psychic prowess, I knew she could have brainwashed me easily. Instead, she’d left my mind alone, at least the second time. Why? Did I have defenses against her that I didn’t know about?

Or perhaps her unwillingness to bulldoze my head was due to sentimentality. If she really believed I was Eleana, she might have been waiting, or hoping, for me to believe it, too.

But what I knew of Eleana didn’t gel with that idea. You don’t know what she’s capable of. She’ll never let us go. I didn’t think Eleana—the real person or her memories—would’ve taken kindly to the notion of popping out a brood of Fae babies for her tyrannical grandmother.

So many questions.

No answers.

Scrubbing my flushed face with the towel, I didn’t see the Sidhe gateway open—I felt it, a tearing of space directly to my left. I leapt back and crouched, summoning plasma into my hands. The brilliant portal widened, edges flickering like white fire. A figure emerged, and I recognized Lucian a second too late.

My twin bolts of plasma hit him square in the chest. His aura flared to blinding proportions, so much that I didn’t see the portal’s closure until he fell onto his hands and knees.

Lucian! I yelped, jolting forward and kneeling before him. Oh, God, I’m so sorry! Are you okay? I grabbed his shoulders, angling for a look at his torso, and his aura snapped around me like a shining cocoon.

No, not his aura.

Plasma.

The sensation was akin to cold toes in hot bathwater, only it was every nerve in my body that prickled to life. My scars flared with light and my hair floated with static. Lucian lifted his head. His eyes were bright silver, widened in awe. Rising to his knees, he touched my face with careful fingertips.

Connor said smoothly, Lucian, your timing, as always, leaves something to be desired. Kindly unhand my consort.

With a final graze of his hot fingertips on my face, Lucian shifted backward and stood. Our charges, no longer fueled by each other, cascaded into the ground. Much less gracefully than the Fae, I rose to my feet.

I couldn’t hide my confusion from Connor. Nor did I bother trying, instead letting my thoughts and emotions tumble freely. Whereas Connor was cool darkness, Lucian was electric light. Stoirm a rugadh. Both were intoxicating.

God help me.

Connor, who wore the full mantel of his age and starry power, glanced at me and nodded minutely. He understood. He didn’t like it, but he understood.

Lucian said, Forgive my offense. I’ve come to beg your aid, and Fiona’s, in rescuing my mother from Morrighan.

I opened my mouth, but Connor asked, Have you appealed to the Court of your origin?

Lucian bowed his head. The Blood Court will not rise against the Light Court. He looked up, eyes narrowed and fierce. But from the king’s own lips, he will not stand in the path of justice. Moreover, he gave me this. He pulled a clear, fist-sized stone from his pocket.

That—Connor shook his head, stupefied—is the largest diamond I’ve ever seen.

I gaped. The precious stone radiated my father’s magic, a shifting tide of blue, aqua, green, and white. What does it do? I breathed.

Opens a portal directly into the palace in Maghmael.

Relief tore breath from my lungs in a gasp. Tension I hadn’t known I’d been carrying released, my shoulders slumping. Manannán mac Lir had been the wild card, his reaction to the queen’s demise an uncertainty. Now we not only had his support but his help.

Did he say anything else? I asked.

Lucian glanced at me. He said she has lost her way and hopes she may find peace again in Tír na Nóg Beyond.

I closed my eyes, thinking of a time, centuries ago, when Manannán mac Lir and Morrighan had shared love, children, and a grandchild. Despite his words to Lucian, it was nigh impossible to comprehend him giving us his blessing to kill her.

I wondered inanely if he would grieve for her, and Connor offered silently, In his way, he will grieve.

Aloud, he told Lucian, A bargain, then. We will rescue your mother, and you will help us rescue two humans likewise imprisoned in Maghmael.

Lucian nodded quickly. Agreed. Then his eyes narrowed, glittering with comprehension. Expertly played, Prime Thorne.

Connor grinned tightly, and I abruptly understood why he’d delayed my summoning of Lucian. He’d gambled on Lucian seeking us out and in true Fae-fashion, binding his cause to ours through a formal bargain. I didn’t think Lucian would have abandoned us once his mother was safe, but Connor, prudent as always, had chosen to preemptively address the loophole.

Connor tilted his head, then met my gaze. Your family and friends have arrived. Lucian, if you’ll follow me. As the Fae strode toward him, he added silently, Adam is bringing them to the library.

Thank you, I told him fervently. For everything, smarty-pants.

His amusement flowed through the bond. You’re welcome, love. Enjoy the evening.

The men walked side by side from the training room. I stayed a few minutes more, my thoughts indistinct as I stared after them, before heading upstairs. By the time I arrived in the library, my dad, uncle, Marcus, and Katrina were waiting.

My dad’s hug was the last and longest, and when we parted I saw a suspicious brightness in his eyes. Delilah said you weren’t dead, he said gruffly, but for the love of God, don’t fucking disappear like that again.

Mal chortled as I gaped. Dad, language!

With a final squeeze, my dad stepped back. Marcus, his arm snugly around Katrina’s waist, asked, What’s this I’ve heard about a party?

Katrina rolled her eyes. He takes twice as long to get ready in the morning as I do. If he’d known about the party, he’d still be at home packing.

I laughed and Marcus, grinning, kissed Katrina’s cheek. You wake up beautiful, darling, while the rest of us need work, he said warmly. Katrina wrinkled her nose, but couldn’t hide the gleam of contentment in her eyes.

Mal, tinkering with the liquor cabinet, spoke over his shoulder, Adam, where does the Prime keep the good stuff?

Adam chuckled and joined my uncle, while Katrina implored, Tell me the kitchen staff is back, Fiona. I’ve been dying for their homemade pizza.

I’m on it, said Adam, as Mal caressed a bottle of aged whiskey. Katrina and Marcus joined them, placing pizza orders and doling out tumblers. I watched, my heart aching with happiness and my eyes misty, until my dad tugged me onto a couch beside him.

His hazel eyes were somber. What’s wrong, pumpkin?

I shook my head, fighting a damnable tremble in my lower lip. Nothing, Dad. Just really glad to see you. How’s Montana?

Nice try. What’s going on?

I sighed, knowing a lie would be pointless. Frank Sullivan and Connor Thorne—the only two people on the planet who could see right through me.

I have to go away again. Not for long, I said as his brow creased, but there’s something I need to do in the Western Sidhe.

Katrina, having wandered back over, asked softly, Ethan?

I nodded, meeting her expectant gaze. I’ll find him, Kat.

She swallowed. My family would be forever in your debt.

I glanced across the room and found Marcus watching me. Though he spoke softly, his voice carried in the sudden quiet, I have a debt to repay as well.

Katrina spun. Marcus, no.

He smiled sadly. I’m sorry, darling, but you know I must. He met my gaze. I’m coming with you. And before you say anything, Fiona, know that it was Delilah who told me I must go.

The silence was so thick I could hear blood rushing in my ears.

Death all around you.

No, I said sharply.

My dad made a surprised noise as Marcus knelt before me. "Mórgacht, he said urgently, do not forbid it. Delilah has Seen and spoken. I must be in Maghmael when you face Morrighan."

I scanned his face. Why? I whispered.

He shook his head. "She didn’t say. But you know I can be