Ann hadn’t worn a dress in five years. She’d been forced to wear heavy cumbersome gowns during her father’s rule.
Ceara came in. “Wow, you look like the archdruid now.”
“I feel naked. Why can’t I just wear my usual clothes?” She rubbed her bare arms and glanced down at her coat.
“At least they’re not making you go sky clad. You’d be naked then.” Ceara laughed.
“Shouldn’t you be resting?” It’d only been a few days since Ann had managed to stop Urien’s spell from killing Ceara. She had more colour in her cheeks now, but still needed some recovery time.
Ceara scowled. “No, Jax and I are on wolf watch tonight.”
“Wolf watch?” Ann frowned, having no idea what she meant.
“Hello, full moon. Ed gets edgy from what Jax told me, and you won’t be there to calm him.”
“I can’t be with Ed all the time. But I’m sure he’ll be fine.”
“Aren’t you and Jerome supposed to be spending the night together?” Ceara waggled her eyebrows.
“No, we’re going for a walk after the circle. Maybe having a drink together.” She didn’t feel like talking about her arrangement with Jerome later. In truth, she had no idea what would happen yet.
“If that’s not an invitation for sex then I don’t know what is.” Ceara’s grin faded. “How can you even consider it?”
“It’s been awhile since I had any. Jerome is—”
“He isn’t Ed. Have you thought for one moment how he’ll feel watching you go off somewhere?” The Gliss crossed her arms.
Ann rolled her eyes. “Why does everyone keep suggesting we’re a couple?”
“Because you are, even if you don’t have sex. You’re more than friends.”
“Yes, but we’re not lovers. We never will be. He’s my—well, he’s not that.” She grew weary of keep having to explain her relationship with Edward to everyone.
“Yes, but his beast says you’re his. Doesn’t that mean something to you?”
“Should it?” She ran a brush through her long hair.
Ceara heaved a sigh. “You’re never going admit how you feel about him, are you?”
“I already know how I feel about Ed. I trust him more than anyone.”
“Why can’t you—?”
“I’ll see you in the morning.” Ann stalked out of the room, heart pounding more than ever.
She felt nervous enough about the circle. Now Ceara made her feel anxious about the possibility of spending the night with Jerome. And for what?
She and Ed had never been anything more than friends.
Ann headed straight to Ed’s cabin and found him pacing up and down. The room looked similar to her own, with little more than a table, two chairs and two makeshift beds.
His eyes widened as she walked in. “You look—”
“Ridiculous, I know.” She let go of the hem of her skirt.
“I was going to say beautiful.”
She smiled. “Are you sure you’ll be alright?” Every full moon, his beast side grew more restless than usual. It demanded control, and so far they hadn’t been able to keep it under control during this time of the month. Full moons were the worst time for him.
“I’ll be fine. Don’t worry about me.” He waved a hand in dismissal. “Go, enjoy the circle.”
Ann bit her lip. “I’m worried it won’t work. I still don’t feel connected to these people like I thought I would.” She wrapped her arms around herself. “I’m an outsider.” She paused, biting her lip harder. “Jerome asked me to stay. He thinks we could stay here and be safe.”
Ed stopped pacing. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. We’re still rogues, and we have large prices on our heads.”
She nodded. “I know. If I can reinforce the stones, maybe we could stay.”
“If that’s what you want, then do it.”
“Will you stay?” She reached out and touched his shoulder. After five years on the run together, she couldn’t imagine being apart from him again.
Ed shrugged. “Maybe. I need to find out where I came from, though. If there are other lykaes out there, then I may leave at some point.”
“I should go. It’s getting dark and the moon will be up soon.” She turned to leave. “Ed, does seeing me with Jerome bother you?” She felt surprised to hear the words coming out of her mouth.
Ed flinched. “Why…why would it? We’re not a couple. And you deserve to be happy.”
Ann breathed a sigh of relief. “Right. I don’t know what I—I should go.” She wrapped her arms around him in an attempt to ease the awkwardness. “You know where I am if you need me tonight.”
Ed pulled her close, and the warmth of his body enveloped her. His embrace felt welcoming, safe. As if she could happily stay there forever.
She pulled away, reminding herself it would be Jerome she’d be spending the night with. “I’ll see you later,” she added.
“Don’t be nervous. You can do the spell.”
She smiled. “Who says I’m nervous?”
“I feel it—and your heart is racing.”
“Well, wish me luck.”
“Good luck with the circle…and Jerome.”
Ann’s nerves grew as she headed toward the standing stones. She didn’t want to think about what might happen if the spell didn’t work.
What if I remembered the spell wrong? Maybe that’s why it didn’t work. Her hands clenched. Get a grip, she told herself. An archdruid doesn’t panic or run away.
Ann had been trained to be the archdruid since early childhood. She’d been born for this, or else she wouldn’t have been given the power. Even Darius hadn’t chosen her to be his heir. Either you got the power, or you didn’t.
I can do this. Ann glanced back. She wished Ed could be there. Then she’d have his strength to support her. She’d be able to make sure he stayed in control.
Argh, Ed and I can’t be together all the time. It’s not natural. Just stay calm. Remember you can do this. Ann forced her face to remain impassive as she approached the stones. To her surprise, more druids than she’d seen living in the village had gathered within the circle.
No doubt Sage had called them.
Oh blessed spirits, I’ll have more people to—
Blaise appeared at her side, cutting off her panic.
She raised a brow. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“I’m a druid. If you need me to help reinforce the power of the stones, I’ll be there,” Blaise said. “I hope your lykae is under control tonight.”
“He’s not my—why do you say that?” Her eyes narrowed. She’d been wondering whether Blaise knew more about lykaes than he let on, but trying to pry information out of her uncle had proved futile.
He and Darius were more alike than Blaise thought.
“The full moon can affect lykaes. With all these people gathered—”
“He won’t hurt anyone,” she insisted.
“He already injured Jerome,” Blaise pointed out.
“He didn’t…he is learning to control it.”
Ed had been managing to control the beast better since he started training. Like with her magic, control would come with time.
Ann moved to the centre of the crowd, pulling her hood up as she went. Her heart thudded against her ribs. No doubt Ed would be able to hear it from wherever he was.
“Thank you all for coming tonight,” her voice came out stronger than expected. “We’re gathered here to—”
“Why should we trust you?” A dark-haired man spoke up and glared at her. “Some here believe you killed your father for his power.”
Her heart sank as she gritted her teeth. This she hadn’t expected.
Ann had grown used to the rumours and accusations over the years. But she’d thought her father’s people would at least believe her innocence.
“I never killed my parents. I tried to save my father that night.” She forced her voice to stay calm.
“You’ve
been running ever since that night,” a woman spoke up. “If you are innocent, why run?”
Another woman spoke up: “A true archdruid would have come to be with her people. You treat us with contempt and abandoned us just like your father did.”
Ann’s heart twisted. Power bubbled up from deep inside her as it often did when she felt strong emotion. Her eyes flashed with golden light.
“I never killed my parents—my brother did. This is my truth. I swear this by blood vow.” One of her knives appeared in her hand and she pricked her finger with it. She let drops of blood drip onto the ground. A blood vow was binding. If she lied, the magic would rebound and possibly kill her.
“It was my brother Urien and his mother Orla who killed my parents.” Ann kept her voice even. “I never came here because I thought I’d be putting your lives at risk. I ran because I had to.” She pushed her hair back. “There’s a greater power that helped Urien and Orla take control of Caselhelm. I haven’t been able to identify it yet. I spent the past five years helping those hunted by Orla. I work with the resistance now and help other rogues like me who don’t have a place within the five lands.” She paused. “My brother is back, and Orla has been hunting our people to extinction, but I’m here now, and I will reinforce the power of the stones.”
The crowd fell silent.
“Unless anyone else has any objections, let’s begin,” Ann added. The cut on her finger faded.
Everyone moved, joining hands as they formed a circle within the ring of stones.
Sage moved to Ann’s side and flashed her a grin. “Told you you had it in you,” she whispered. Sage’s gnarled fingers closed around hers.
Ann took a deep breath and began to recite words of power. “Cad a briseadh agus a cuireadh ar ais, lig an t-iomlán arís,” she recited.
Energy rose within the circle, starting within the druids themselves. Every man and woman took on different coloured energy as their powers flared to life.
A cool breeze whipped around the stones as energy began to build.
Ann recited the words again, feeling her own power rise in unison with theirs.
The stones themselves hummed, vibrating with their ethereal blue glow. Sound rang out as the power within the circle of druids bounced against each stone. The light hovered there a moment before it faded away.
Her stomach dropped. It hadn’t worked. She could feel it in the vibration of the stones. Their energy had been made stronger, but not as strong as it should have been.
Someone clapped, and people began to congratulate her and thank her for her help.
Ann drew away. She didn’t want praise. She’d failed to restore both the stones, and as the archdruid.
Chapter 18
Urien paced up and down the length of his study. He’d instructed his mother to gather together the leaders from around Almara. He would make a stand, to convince them he, not Ann, was the true archdruid. But most hadn’t responded yet.
Why would anyone want you? You’re nothing. Just a parasite inside someone else’s body, Xander said.
Urien grabbed a jug of ale and chugged it down. It tasted sharp, but he needed it. Gods, I’ve got to find a way to block him out. Or better yet, get rid of him once and for all.
He had to find a way to draw Ann out into the open. Even he wasn’t strong enough to break through the power of the stones at Trewa. He could send Gliss, banelings, and other creatures, but they would only do so much good. He needed a way to truly force her out.
Summoning the leaders would do just that but it would have to seem like a true threat.
“I need power,” he muttered. “I need allies if I’m gonna get what I want.”
The door opened.
Urien spun around and growled: “I said I wasn’t to be disturbed.”
The Ursaie woman looked up, startled. “Your mother told me to bring your potion.”
Another slave came in carrying a tray of food.
Urien muttered a curse and grabbed the second slave by the arm. He remembered what the shadow creature had said: “Blood is power.”
He sliced his dagger across her throat and muttered words of power. “Nochtann bóthair i bhfolach.” Power pulsed from her body.
The other Ursaie screamed and dropped the potion. It clattered to the floor and sloshed its contents everywhere.
“Stay,” Urien commanded. His vision blurred and his head spun. Dizziness rolled over him like a ship rocking back and forth.
Light flashed in front of his eyes as a door appeared. Old, wooden, illuminated by green light.
He reached out to touch it. Heat flared against his skin. The runes flashed with power, repelling him. A blast of energy sent him stumbling backward. No, mine! Urien shot forward, grabbing for the door a second time. Buzzing roared through his ears and heat seared against his flesh.
“Let me pass,” he muttered. I’m in Xander’s body. Let me through.
Why wouldn’t it let him through? He had Xander’s body. The magic shouldn’t resist him. Heat seared his fingers as he touched the door. Even Xander cried out in pain.
Let go! Xander shouted. You can’t go through.
I will get through, Urien muttered more words of power.
A burst of energy sent him hurtling across the room. The door vanished and the power from the Ursaie’s body faded.
Urien slumped to the floor, resting his head against the wall. His chest rose and fell with rasping breaths. Welts covered his skin from where he had touched the door. Why didn’t it work? Why didn’t your worthless body work?
Xander remained silent. Strange, Urien had been so desperate to silence him, but now he would have welcomed a response.
A whimpering sound caught his attention. The other slave cowered in the corner. She trembled as his spell held her in place.
Power hummed from deep inside her. More untapped power.
“Come…here,” Urien ordered.
Her body shook harder as she rose and walked over. “Please don’t—”
Urien shot up, slicing the blade across her throat. Normally he enjoyed people’s pleas for help, but not this time. Her body went limp in his arms. Power rolled out of her as her life faded away.
Urien chanted more words of power, letting her magic flow through Xander’s body. Warmth washed over him.
“Seanóirí, mé ag ceiliúradh ort.”
No wonder the Ursaie were condemned. Their power felt incredible.
Magic vibrated through the air as he recited the words again.
Work, please work. Urien waited, unsure if anyone would answer his call.
“Come on, answer me,” he muttered. “I need your help.”
Both slaves lay on the floor, discarded. Blood gathered on the hardwood, mixing with the contents of the splattered potion.
Orbs of light flashed as a dark-haired man with electric blue eyes materialised. He wore a long grey tunic, and grey trousers. His brilliant blue eyes narrowed as he sneered, “Who are you to summon me?”
“I’m—”
“I know who you are. You’re the bastard of that demon witch Orla.”
“You’re Arwan, an elder, aren’t you?” Urien said. Gods, it had worked. He almost wanted to jump for joy.
“I am, but I don’t know why you would dare summon me,” Arwan snapped. “Your mother already failed to keep her promise to us five years ago. We are not interested in—”
“Wait.” Urien held up his hand to silence him. “I am here to make a new offer.”
Arwan laughed. “What could you possibly offer me, boy? You are nothing.”
“I am the rightful archdruid.” Urien cast his arms. “It’s my birthright. I am Darius’ first-born child.”
“That power is not ours to give. Your sister is the archdruid. She is bound by us.”
“Know that if you help me defeat her, I’ll take her power from her. I’ll be like the archdruids of old,” Urien said. “I’ll answer to the elders. Be your faithful servant.”
Arwan sn
orted. “Your sister is more powerful than you. Why would we want you?”
Urien’s jaw clenched as he fought to control his anger. He couldn’t afford to lose his temper around this man. “Ann would never answer to the elders. Our father turned her against you long before I killed him,” he said. “Oh, she knows the elders exist, but she’s a rogue, just like Darius. You can’t hope to sway her to your side.” He felt Xander’s presence returning. Damn, the blood magic had been strong enough to mute him. Why couldn’t it have lasted longer?
He couldn’t show any signs of weakness, or it would ruin any chance of an alliance, and any hope he had of getting what he truly wanted.
“And what good could you do?” Arwan demanded. “Your sister is an enemy, yes, but we wouldn’t say no to having her power on our side.”
“Help me and I’ll take her power and her life,” Urien promised. “I know how much the elders need an archdruid working with them rather than against them.” He paused. “I’ll arrange a meeting demanding every leader in the five lands come here. Even those who live beyond the mists.”
“And?” Arwan raised an eyebrow.
“I’ll do it under the guise of being the archdruid. Think, it’s the perfect opportunity to bring your enemies together—those who don’t answer to the elders.”
“What makes you think we need your help? We are gods, after all. We can kill whomever we choose.”
“What do you want, then?” Urien demanded. He was running out of ideas. If the deaths of a dozen people wouldn’t help, nor the promise of a new archdruid, what would?
Arwan paced, wrinkling his nose at the sight of the dead slaves. “It’s true, things would be easier if we had an archdruid. Thanks to your sister, the resistance is proving to be a nuisance. But you could gain favour again if you did something for us.”
Urien bit back a smile, barely able to contain his excitement. “Name it.” Whatever they wanted, he would do it. Orla had failed in her chance of gaining true favour from the elders. He wouldn’t make the same mistake.
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