Read Clash of the Otherworlds: Book 1, After the Fall for Free Online

She and I both shared some very unhappy memories where Torrie was concerned.  
    I looked at Maléna to gauge her reaction.  Torrie had held a torch for her, back when he was a member of the Here and Now and before he'd been banished to the Underworld.  Nothing in her expression belied her feelings about him, though.  She looked as cold and calculating as ever.
    "Since none of us know the legend to which Torrie referred, there's no reason or basis for us to assume that anything Ben has claimed is a valid conclusion."
    I shook my head.  She was going to cling to this you're-not-the-boss-of-me thing, and I could already tell that it was a mistake to piss Ben off like this.  I think he was used to getting his way; and while he'd been willing to follow Maléna's lead in the past, apparently he wasn't anymore.
    "You risk much by denying who I am," was all he said.  
    Our connection was humming.  I could feel Earth and Water straining to join with his Fire and Wind.  It was almost an effort to keep them apart right now.  My cloak swirled with their power, and I wasn't doing any of it consciously.  I wasn't sure if it were Ben's anger that was causing it or what, but I had to force myself to stop looking at Maléna and focus inward to keep myself under control.
    "Just focus.  Breathe in and out.  You'll get it," came the voice again.
    Listen, I thought to the voice, if you're not going to identify yourself, then just stay the hell away from me, okay?  I don't have the patience for your stupid games.
    "I cannot reveal myself to you, and I ask that you not share my existence with anyone else right now."
    Oh, like I'm supposed to trust a voice in my head?  Are you kidding me?  I'm not that stupid.  I'm probably going insane.  You're probably, like, the Devil in there.  Pretty soon you're going to be telling me to eat a pixie or something.
    "All in due time.  Trust me.  And I would never tell you to eat a pixie.  I hear they're bitter, and they have almost no meat on their bones.  They're like pheasants."
    No.  Not possible.  I'm telling.
    "What if I told you something ... something that could help you?  Could I earn your trust enough to have you keep our connection quiet for a little longer?"
    I shrugged before I caught myself.  I looked around the table to see if anyone noticed, but they were all too busy shifting around uncomfortably, staring at Ben and Maléna, wondering if a gauntlet were being thrown down, putting them in the middle of a wind storm of epic proportions.
    Maybe , I responded.  Depends what it is.
    "Okay.  But if I tell you something you agree is helpful to you, you in turn will agree to keep our secret."
    I get to tell one person. One fae, I countered.
    "No.  No deal."
    Just one.  Tim.  The pixie.
    The voice didn't answer right away.
    Come on.  I can't keep a secret from everyone.  I'm not built that way.  If you won't let me tell anyone, I'll break and tell the world.  It's a character flaw I have.
    "Fine.  You can tell Tim the pixie so long as you make him swear on his life he will not reveal your secret.  Pixies cannot break this vow."
    Done.  Now out with it.  I'm sick of the suspense.
    "You have another weapon at your disposal that you can use to fight the creatures of the Underworld."
    I frowned.  This didn't seem like some big secret to me.
    Of course we have other weapons.  The Dark Fae probably brought in a few hundred with them when they moved in.
    "I'm not talking about other fae.  I'm talking about you.  And this is a weapon that no other fae can manage, other than you.  And Ben, in a manner of speaking."
    I swear the voice laughed then.  And I wasn't sure whether it was a good laugh or a devious one, which made me a little nervous.
    So what's the weapon?
    "Another time.  Now listen to the conversation going on around you.  You're could miss something good."
    I felt the voice leave.  I hadn't sensed it entering, but I definitely now felt the void where it