A Sacred Magic: A Wild Hunt Novel, Book 9

by Yasmine Galenorn

  “What were they?” Yutani asked.

  Viktor returned then. He had cleaned off my arrows and now he handed them back to me. I stuck them in the quiver and hung it over my shoulder. In my hand, Serafina was practically vibrating, and if I had to give an emotion to the bow, I’d say she was doing a happy dance.

  “They’re dead. You got nice clean shots on both of them. I searched them, but there wasn’t much there.”

  “They are called aughiskies,” I said.

  “O-hə-skees?” Yutani repeated.

  I nodded. “They’re a form of waterhorse shifter.”

  “You mean like the hippocampi? Surely they aren’t related to Rhiannon and the Foam Born pod?” Viktor said. He looked incredulous.

  The Foam Born pod were a group of waterhorse shifters—hippocampi—whom we had helped out earlier in the year. Only they were nice.

  I shook my head. “No. There’s more than one type of waterhorse shifter. These are far more dangerous, and quite frankly, the only good aughisky is a dead one. They lure human women to their death. They must have thought I was full-blooded Leannan Sidhe, because they were trying to rape me. They impregnate water Fae from other races, and if the child comes out male, it’s almost always aughisky and it returns to the fold.”

  I looked around nervously. “They can charm female water Fae as well as female humans. We need to find the well and get away from this lake. You two need to watch me. If I seem like I’m ignoring you and try to head toward the lake, do whatever you have to in order to stop me. Where there’s one, there’s probably more, and I might not be able to get away a second time.”

  “If I remember right, Brighid said that the well was on the other side of the lake. Which means we need to skirt around it.” Viktor glanced at the sky. “Dusk is falling. I’m not sure I want to take that chance.”

  “If you want to wait until morning, then whoever is on watch is going to have to keep an eye on me, and I’m not going to be able to stand watch. Also, consider this. There’s bound to be more than just those two. If they figure out that their brethren are dead, they’re going to come looking for whoever killed them.” I shivered, thinking of the possibilities.

  Yutani zipped up his jean jacket. “How long can they stay on land? Are they like, for instance, the hippocampi or the Leannan Sidhe? Can they exist out of water for long?”

  I thought for a moment, trying to remember what I had read about them. “See, that’s the problem. I don’t know. If they can, a raiding party could come up and overwhelm us. And I guarantee you, they’re strong. If they drag us into the water, they’ll drown us for sure. I’m not certain how many are usually in a skoll—that’s what you call a group of aughiskies—but there have to be more than two. Especially in this forest.”

  Y’Bain was a lot like Australia. It seemed to attract the deadliest creatures. While I wasn’t sure how I knew, I was positive there were definitely more of the waterhorse shifters in that lake. I took a good look at the water. It wasn’t a massive lake, but it was at least a mile wide and probably three miles long. There was plenty of room beneath the surface for a number of water breathers to live.

  “But do you want to travel in the dark?” Viktor asked. “I’m not being facetious. I’m asking you a very real question, and I want you to think it over carefully.”

  I glanced at the sky. The sun was setting, but there was still some light to go by. And clouds were coming in, thick and heavy with snow. I could smell it in the air. The night wouldn’t be too dark, not between the illumination of the clouds and the snow on the ground. Plus, we had flashlights. And if we kept the lake within our sight, we shouldn’t risk running off into the wilderness. Then again, who knew what else was out here? Cernunnos had warned us specifically against traveling during the dark, and when the Lord of the Forest gave you a serious warning, it was best to listen to it.

  “I’m not sure what to do. I suppose that we should wait until morning. Cernunnos was adamant about traveling only during the daylight hours. But I’m serious, guys. You’re going to have to watch me tonight. The aughiskies can get into my head, and it’s not easy to keep them out.” I gave them an anxious look, terrified that we would be attacked in the dark. “We should retreat into the forest again. We shouldn’t be out on the lakeshore when dusk falls. I don’t know how much sleep we can afford to get. If they creep out and sneak up on us during the dark, we’re as good as gone. I welcome suggestions.”

  “We could camp high up in the trees. It would be harder to reach us, and we’d have more of a warning.” Viktor glanced up at one of the nearby oaks. Its bare branches were thick and sturdy, but the thought of actually climbing one of the trees of Y’Bain made me even more nervous than I was of the aughiskies.

  “Let’s back away from that suggestion. Given the forest is watching us, do you really want to tempt fate by crawling up the trees?” I was mulling over the possibilities when a noise behind us caught my attention. I whirled, staring at the entrance to the forest, wondering what the hell we were in for now. I raised Serafina, nocking an arrow just in case. Viktor pulled out his sword, and Yutani brought out a pistol grip crossbow as well, fitting an arrow into it.

  As we waited, there was a rustle in the trees, and then, out from the trees stepped a band of Dark Fae. For a moment, I stared at them, uncertain as to who they were, but then something in me stirred, and I knew. I knew in my core that I was facing a group of my father’s people.

  There were at least ten in the party, and almost all of them were carrying bows and arrows. They had a certain look to them, dark and swarthy, with a glint in their eyes that I recognized because I felt it within myself. It was the glint of the hunter, the glint of the predator. I stood, my arm outstretched, the arrow targeted on the leader.

  “Daug tergath frei janeer so pointe?” the leader said, speaking in Turneth, the Dark variant of Faespeak, the language of the Fae. He had asked who we were and what we were doing.

  I stared at him for a moment, then replied, “Frei aliath dek Cernunnos o Morgana o Brighid, dek onet uo kestiar.” I told him the truth—that we were on a quest for Cernunnos, Morgana, and Brighid. I waited, wondering if the fact that I was tralaeth would cause a problem.

  The leader stared at me for a while, then raised his hand to his companions and they lowered their bows and arrows. He was a handsome man, with a rugged jaw, and long hair caught back in a braid that fell to his knees. His eyebrows were arched, and his mustache thin, but delicately groomed. He didn’t look particularly muscled, but I didn’t trust appearances in this case. He was probably stronger than he looked.

  He looked me up and down, frowning, then glanced at our flashlights. “You are from the other world?” he asked, still speaking in Turneth.

  I nodded. “We’re from Earth. I serve both Cernunnos and Morgana.” I stressed the both, feeling like it might serve as a shield. “We mean no interference. I’m looking for something, and once I find it, I will leave this forest. Can you tell me how many of the aughiskies are in that lake? We were attacked earlier.” I nodded my head toward the bodies lying on the edge of the shoreline.

  He snorted, staring at the naked waterhorse shifters. “More than we need around here. Are you making camp on the shoreline for the evening?”

  I slowly nodded, wondering if we could strike some sort of a bargain. Although that might be as dangerous as sticking around where the aughiskies could find us. Members of the Autumn’s Bane weren’t known for their hospitality.

  “We weren’t sure about traveling in the dark in Y’Bain.”

  The leader took a long look at my bow, then at me again. “You have our blood flowing in your veins. You are, however, a tralaeth.”

  I was surprised that he’d even admit that I had Dark Fae blood, when he recognized me as half blood. “I may be a tralaeth, but I am proud of both my heritages, and I have been through the Cruharach.”

  He shifted from one foot to the other, considering my words. After a moment, he said, “We have
heard of a half breed wandering the woods. Rumors say that she bears the protection of Cernunnos, Morgana, and Brighid. Rumors also warned that any hand raised against her will be met with swift and deadly retribution. I would venture to guess that you are this woman?”

  So that’s why they hadn’t attacked us. The aughiskies wouldn’t give a damn about any such rumors, but any sane group of travelers with a sense of self-preservation would listen well.

  I nodded, lowering my bow. “I am Ember Kearney, and yes, I am the one you’ve heard tell of. These are my companions, Viktor and Yutani. We’re searching for the Well of Tears. Can you show us the way?”

  The leader let out a small laugh, then bowed. “I am Unkai, chieftain of the Orhanakai band of the Autumn’s Bane. We can lead you to the well tomorrow morning, but until then, we must break for camp. It’s far too dangerous to traverse these forests in the dark, even for my people. I propose that we make camp together, and we can trade stories till morning.”

  I looked at him, hesitating for a moment. “You would make camp with me, a tralaeth?”

  “You’re a tralaeth guarded by powerful gods, and you bear our blood in your veins. Not all of the Fae stand with TirNaNog or with Navane. There are those of us who choose our own path, and our own companions.”

  A surge of relief swept through me. Making camp with a large party would be so much easier—and safer.

  “Bravery, courage, and cunning are far stronger qualities than just purity of blood,” Unkai continued. “To traverse these woods with just three in your party? That speaks to bravery. To destroy the aughiskies? That speaks to cunning and courage. Come, let us make camp and break bread.”

  Unkai motioned to the others and they quickly set about making up camp for the evening. I returned to Viktor and Yutani, motioning for them to join in. As we set up our tents toward the forest, away from the lake, I filled them in on what I had learned.

  “Keep your eyes on them, don’t be complacent. For now, we will accept what they say at face value, but we’re still keeping watch during the night.” I turned as Unkai called me over.

  They were setting up a feast, and it looked far better than what we had to eat. Of course, not even the Autumn Stalkers were building a fire, so the food was cold, but it was good and there was plenty of it. We sat with them, eating roast beef and bread and cheese, fruit and nuts, into the evening hours. As it grew dark, Viktor brought out our LED lights, and Unkai’s eyes lit up as he looked at them.

  “So this is the magic of your world?” he asked, letting out a sigh. “We have heard tales of your world, of course. But none of us have ever been there.”

  “I love it there, but it is vastly different than here and there are far more people. And far more rules,” I added, hoping to stave off any requests for an invitation to visit. “There is far less freedom over there than there is here.”

  Unkai looked a little disappointed, but shrugged and leaned back.

  None of the others spoke to me, but they listened and watched, and I could tell they were taking in everything we said. Unkai must have noticed me staring at them, because he reached up and snapped his fingers. A moment later, a woman joined him. She was wearing the same garb as the others, and she, too, carried a bow.

  “This is my woman. Her name is Liera.” He put his arm around her shoulders then, and I noticed a gentleness between them that I hadn’t expected.

  I nodded to her. “How do you do?”

  She blinked. A moment later, she said, “I do well, Ember Kearney.” There was a tinge of jealousy in her voice, and she looked me up and down, frowning.

  I happened to glance at Unkai, and realized that he had quite the glint in his eye. I wasn’t familiar with the customs of the Autumn Stalkers, but I didn’t want to give them any ideas.

  “I’m tired. I’ve had a long day. I think I’ll get some rest. My guards will be watching,” I added, pausing for a moment before continuing. “They’ll be watching… Just in case the aughiskies return.”

  Unkai stared at me for a moment, then laughed. “Message received. You will sleep undisturbed.”

  I returned to the tent and told Viktor and Yutani everything that had passed between Unkai and me. “Keep watch. I feel that they’ll be true to their word, especially since they know that I’m being watched over by three powerful gods. I have a feeling they may believe that I have more power than I actually do, and I didn’t do anything to dissuade that notion. But it never hurts to keep on guard. And if you see me trying to head toward the lake, stop me.”

  Viktor took the first watch as I curled up in the tent with Yutani. I was missing Herne horribly, and I wanted to be out of the forest and home. Y’Bain was a terrifying place, and our companions were just as frightening. I couldn’t wait to find the sword and get back to Brighid’s palace, and then return home. I couldn’t sleep, and tossed and turned for a while until Yutani tapped me on the shoulder. He held out his arm and, feeling sheepish, I rolled into it. He curled it around me, keeping his fingers on my shoulder, and I finally fell asleep.

  Chapter Twenty

  Unkai was good to his word. When I woke in the morning, I realized I was fully refreshed—as refreshed as I could be—and I scrambled out of the tent to find breakfast sitting on a rock next to Viktor. He nodded for me to sit down and eat.

  Unkai’s people had given us dried fruit, bread and meat, cheese, and what looked suspiciously like a variety of potato chip. I took one.

  “These taste a lot like potato chips.”

  Viktor nodded. “So I noted. But I can’t speak your people’s language, and I wasn’t able to ask anything about them.”

  I glanced around. “Where’s Yutani?”

  “He’s having a conversation—of sorts—with one of the Fae. I’m not sure how they’re communicating, but they are.” He pointed over at a clearing on the shoreline, where Yutani was showing one of the Autumn Stalkers what looked a lot like a tai chi move.

  I raised my eyebrows. “Well, at least they’re getting along.”

  “I have to say, they’re not what I expected them to be. I expected… I don’t know… More feral?”

  “So did I, to tell you the truth. In a way I feel they’re more honor-bound than my grandfather was, by far.” I let out a sigh, looking around.

  The morning looked overcast, but the scent of snow had backed off. Hopefully it would wait until we returned to Brighid’s Castle, but with a two-day hike, I doubted the possibility.

  “I really want to get out of here,” I said. “I wonder if we can convince Unkai to travel with us back to the edge of the forest. Maybe I can promise them some sort of reward in turn for helping us. I’d feel a lot safer in a big group.”

  “I’m not so sure about that,” Viktor said. “They’ve been true to their word so far, but I don’t trust them. I do agree with you on wanting out of this forest, though. Promise me you’ll never drag me back in here again?”

  “You’ll have to ask Cernunnos to hold that promise,” I said. “I’m not the one who asked you to come.”

  We finished breakfast, and I approached Unkai. “Can you show us the Well of Tears?” I asked, after the obligatory morning greeting.

  He gave me a solemn nod. “My people don’t like that area. We’ll hang back, and let you go in. There is a spirit in there, near the well, and she disconcerts my people.”

  “She’s a Lamentation. A guardian.” I looked him straight in the eye. “I need to talk to her. I wanted to ask you something, and whether you say yes or no, it’s fine. I won’t take any offense. But I wondered if you would consider waiting for us, and then escorting us back to the edge of the forest? We were set upon by will-o’-the-wisps the first night, and then the aughiskies yesterday. While we were able to fend them off, my companions and I just want to get the hell out of Y’Bain after we finish our task.”

  Unkai held my gaze for a moment, staring at me steadily. “And what could you offer for such a favor?”

  “I’m not sure what you want.
I’m not sure what’s valuable to you. Food? Money—gold? What do you value that would be worth your time and trouble?” I wasn’t sure I really wanted to hear the answer, but I knew better than to offer blind payment.

  For a moment I thought he wasn’t going to answer, and then, the edge of his lips curled up in a cunning smile and he let out a laugh. “There is one thing that I will take as payment. I wish to visit your world, Ember Kearney. And I want a guide when I get there.”

  I tried not to let my dismay show on my face. Inwardly, I was beating myself up for being so stupid. I let out a little laugh and glanced sideways at Viktor, who was standing nearby.

  “One moment,” I said to Unkai. Without turning my head, I switched over to English. “He just asked me to be his guide when he comes visiting over in our world. That’s his payment for seeing us to the edge of the forest. What do you think I should say? Now that I’ve started the deal, it seems rude to stop midway and say no.” I kept my voice light, smiling as I spoke.

  Viktor broke into a coughing fit so loud that I worried that he was choking. One of the Autumn Stalkers brought him a jug of water, and he drank deep. As he wiped his mouth and turned back to me, he raised his eyebrows and I realized it had been a ploy.

  “Are you all right?” I asked, forcing concern into my voice.

  “Yes, I’m fine,” he said thumping his chest and nodding. “You’re a fool if you accept.”

  “And we could be in trouble if I don’t.” I paused, then walked over to him and patted his back with a concerned look. “Tell you what. I’ll tell him that I will help him as much as the gods allow. Think that will go over?”

  “Let’s hope so,” Viktor said, straightening up and clearing his throat once again.