CHAPTER SIXTY FOUR

“Elves?” I feel stunned. “I thought –”

“You thought we didn’t exist?” Balin asks, quietly.

I feel uneasy, “I don’t – To be honest, I don’t know much about other species. I was far too young when I was kicked out of my pack with my family. As a result, I never learnt the history of the Others.”

“Your parents never educated you?”

I open my mouth and then snap it shut, before finally, “My parents were killed. I only had Ben, my brother.”

The wave of grief is fresh when I mention him.

“Is he–”

“He was killed along with my mate.”

“I see.”

There is no sympathy or pity in Balin’s voice just a calm acceptance.

He then looks at his two companions, “Idril, is it done?”

Idril nods and both he and Aldon step back. I turn to face the fire and can feel my heart being torn into shreds.

“It’s gone,” I mumble to myself.

“And so should we be,” Balin says, sharply. “Come.”

I flinch, “What?”

“You have to come with us.”

“Why?”

Balin looks at me, his gaze sharp, “Because the hellhounds wer