by Kristen Cobb
Rory laid a hand against her back, gently guiding her toward the door. Having no idea what to do next she allowed him to take control of the situation.
RORY CONVENED a meeting in his sitting room. Nessa sat in one of the high-backed upholstered chairs feeling lost. Rory was next to her with Will and Etain seated across from them. Her eyes focused vacantly on the elaborately carved wood surrounding the upholstered back of Etain’s chair, drowning in depressing thoughts of the future. Conri’s life hung over the precipice of a steep cliff because of her. Going to Knocknashee had been a monumental mistake.
“What is this bonding Declan mentioned?” Rory remained completely composed, ready to try and come up with a plan.
Nessa was grateful for his interference and take-charge attitude. Her brain could not seem to function rationally, rendered nearly useless by shock and grief with no idea where to go from here. Swells of overwhelming emotions were like a heavy fog impairing her mental faculties.
“Is that why Declan took my son? He wants to bond with you?” Etain’s gaze turned angry, realizing exactly where to place the blame for her son’s predicament.
“Yes.” Nessa made no attempt to avoid Etain’s accusing eyes, more than willing to bear the blame. “Bonding is a ritual that allows me to share my powers with a mate of my choosing. If I turn into a tree around them it is like a rebirth. They are born again, bonded with me as one being, sharing in all of my powers. I offered to bond with Conri but he took it as an insult, assuming I could not accept his inability to change form.”
“Then you will have to bond with Declan to save my son. It is the only answer.” Etain appeared quite certain she was in the right to make such a proclamation.
Nessa realized her next statement would not go over well with Conri’s mother but it needed to be said nonetheless. “Bonding with Declan is highly unlikely to save your son. Giving Declan access to my powers will only make him bolder, not more compliant. There is a very real chance he would simply kill Conri. He could also continue to hold your son hostage, ensuring my continued support of his every whim.”
“I agree with Nessa.” Rory’s confident voice was a welcome support. “I think we need to find Conri without Declan’s assistance.” Rory looked directly at Etain. “Tell us everything you know about him.”
Nessa reached across the short span between them, laying her hand over Rory’s on the curved arm of the chair.
Rory wrapped his fingers around her hand.
Etain thought quietly for a moment before answering. “Declan, Conri, and Glenna were nearly always together as children. I remember being glad Conri had someone to play with. There are not generally many children at Knocknashee. His mother is a bit odd, not very social. She lives at the very edge of Knocknashee. Declan was a bit older than Conri and first to be cast out. I assume he made his way to Kaelan at Killala but that is not something I know for certain.”
That gave Nessa a couple of ideas. The only question, which one to act on first? “I think we should travel to Knocknashee first. Perhaps Glenna or his mother can talk Declan into revealing Conri’s location.”
Rory gave her hand a gentle squeeze. Nessa clung even tighter. At the moment Rory’s support was the only thing keeping her afloat in a raging sea of despair. She could care less what anyone thought of her holding his hand.
Etain nodded in agreement. “When do we leave?”
“Now, but before we go I want you to be aware of something. If this does not work we need to ask Conri’s father for assistance. He might know something about Declan that could help us find Conri.” Nessa watched Etain’s reaction closely. This would not be easy for her.
Warring emotions played across Etain’s face before she answered. “I should have told him about Conri a long time ago.”
“I am sending a guard of twenty men with you.” Rory adjusted his fingers, twining them through hers.
“We can get there faster flying. Time is an important factor here. I need to find him.” Nessa clutched Rory’s hand even tighter as she thought about Conri being hurt.
“So is keeping you safe. If something happened to you and Etain I might never be able to find Conri.” Rory’s reasoning was sound although unwelcome.
“Fine. We leave as soon as they are ready.” Nessa peered down at her hand entwined with Rory’s, afraid to let go. Without his calming influence the emotions would overtake her.
“You can do this.” Rory looked into her eyes as if trying to mentally transfer some of his strength. He stood up, attempting to unravel their hands.
Nessa held on tight, standing up and wrapping her arms around his neck.
“We will find him Ness.” Rory pulled away, kissing her on the forehead. “I will tell the men to get ready immediately and have the kitchen staff pack some food. All you need do is show up at the stables. It should not take long.”
“I am going with you.” Will stood up, looking at her with defiance as if expecting an argument.
Nessa merely nodded as she watched Rory walk toward the door.
THE JOURNEY to Knocknashee took substantially longer than she would have liked, needing to stop for the night because of the horses. Will informed her that Alana was seen riding with Conri right before he disappeared. By the time they reached Knocknashee her temper threatened to flare out of control again. Knowing Alana took part in Conri’s kidnapping stoked her rage.
Anger was the most prevalent emotion flooding her body as they rode into the forest surrounding Knocknashee. They must be quite a sight. Twenty-one armed men making their way into the shifters wooded haven. With a sword strapped to her back and a dagger safely tucked away in the side pocket of her pants Nessa led the men deeper into the almost mystical forest.
The crunching of sticks and leaves beneath their horses’ hooves was the only sound she could hear, not even a lone bird twittered. Nessa glanced around the dimly lit expanse beneath the thick green canopy searching for any sign of the shifters. She knew they were watching.
Reaching the spot where the river flowed from the hill she motioned everyone to stop and dismount. It seemed the perfect place to wait for the shifters to show themselves. Would they all come or just the elders? She had yet to meet anyone besides Ciaran, Glenna, and Etain.
Nessa dismounted, allowing Conri’s white stallion to drink from the river. Thinking back to the last time they were here almost made her smile. Almost. Nothing short of seeing Conri alive and well could make her smile right now. This was his childhood home. He probably played in this exact spot.
Very little grew on the ground due to the sunlight being blocked out by the leaves on the trees. The odd blade of grass or small plant could be found now and again. The ground cover consisted mostly of fallen leaves and branches. Shafts of sunlight were able to filter through near the edge of the river where the growth of trees thinned, creating a magical bloom of growth. A patch of dandelions and thick blades of grass caught her eye. Bending down she ran her hand across the tiny yellow petals surrounding the top of the flower.
“What are you doing here? And with an army no less.” Thankfully Glenna was dressed, although barefoot like all of the shifters. Etain still did not wear shoes even after living with the mortals for quite some time now.
Glenna reminded her of an angry fairy. Long brown hair cascaded over her shoulders, wrapping around an adorably petite but fairly well endowed body. The eyes were the lone feature that made her an angry sprite. A simmering rage burned deep in Glenna’s brown eyes that only she seemed able to see. Conri swore Glenna was simply mistrustful of strangers. Nessa did not believe that to be true. Instinct told her to be wary of Glenna’s motives at all times.
“Declan has kidnapped Conri to try and force me to bond with him. Etain said you two were friends. I need to know everything you remember about him. I also need to speak with his mother. I am hoping one of you can convince Declan to abort this insane plan and tell me where Conri is.” Out of the corner of her eye Nessa saw Ciaran and four other men approa
ching. At least she had a moment to make her plea to Glenna before Conri’s hateful grandfather arrived.
“I thought I made it abundantly clear you are not welcome here.” Ciaran’s furious glare focused exclusively on her.
“I am not concerned with what you want.” Nessa turned her attention back to Glenna, where it should be. “Are you willing to help us?” Rory’s soldiers formed a tight protective circle around her, two men deep. Ciaran would not be allowed anywhere near her. She considered the man more a nuisance than a threat. The four men with him remained in the shadows, allowing Ciaran to speak for all of them.
Glenna glanced back and forth between her and Ciaran.
“If you leave with them again you will not be welcomed back. Tell her you want nothing to do with them or face the consequences, banished to the world of mortals for the rest of your life.” Ciaran’s voice sliced through the air with an annoying mix of condescension and arrogance.
“Would you truly refuse to help rescue Conri?” Nessa hated to put Glenna in this position but desperation provided little in the way of choices. “Are you willing to let this man control your entire life?”
Glenna still appeared torn between the two worlds. Unsure about leaving the only home she had ever known, forever, to help an old friend.
Etain walked over to Glenna, grasping both of her hands. “Please. I know it is a lot to ask but they have taken my son. They could be hurting him as we stand here pleading with you to help. Think about the boy you knew. The man he is now. How can you turn your back on him?”
When Glenna nodded Etain immediately wrapped her in a grateful embrace. Glenna returned the gesture, although with much less enthusiasm than Conri’s mother.
Ciaran attempted to move stealthily toward Glenna and Etain, unable to get anywhere near the pair because of the warriors sent by Rory to protect her. “And you daughter…” Ciaran waited until Etain turned around to face him. “I should have thrown you out the instant I realized you gave birth to that monster’s son. You and that boy have brought nothing but trouble. The ancients are violent, manipulative creatures. How many times did I warn you? Instead of listening to your father’s wisdom you bore a child by one of those creatures. Now the earth has produced another.” Ciaran glanced her way with a disgusted sneer on his face.
“Kaelan is an outcast, not one of the ancients.” Etain looked at her father intently, clearly confused.
Ciaran turned back to his daughter, took one look at her face and laughed. “As I said, they are manipulative creatures. Kaelan is one of the ancients. He was the last until the earth spit this one out.” Animosity emanated from Ciaran’s entire being as he made the comment.
“Kaelan is one of the ancients?” Etain did not direct the question at anyone in particular. She was merely attempting to process the information.
Nessa felt a bit stunned herself. Conri’s father was one of the ancients. The tiniest glimmer of hope began to blossom. He would certainly be able to help them if Glenna and Declan’s mother could not. He had to. Conri was his son after all. Would he care that Etain bore him a son? Maybe he had lots of children and cared not one little bit about any of them. No, allowing her mind to go there served no purpose. Kaelan would help his son.
“We should speak to Declan’s mother before leaving. She might be willing to help.” Etain held out her hand for Glenna.
Nessa watched Ciaran glare at the two shifters suddenly defying him. Pushing the guards aside Nessa stepped out of their protective circle. With a wave of her hand powerful strands of energy sailed in a beautiful glittering arch toward Conri’s grandfather. Ciaran’s body flew backwards from the sheer force as it hit his chest, slamming him into a tree. This time she did not hold back. Conri was not here to save him. Ciaran’s tall lanky frame crumbled to the ground in a heap. Long dark brown hair covered the severe angles of his hated face. A sprinkling of grey in Ciaran’s long beard showed his age. Conri’s loathsome grandfather never failed to spark her ire.
She walked over to his slumped form lying in the dirt beneath an enormous oak tree. “I suggest you stay out of my way. Give me even one small reason to kill you and I will not hesitate. You created this situation. Casting out innocent children because they do not live up to your expectations. You are a vile human being. The world would be a better place without you in it.” She stood over Ciaran, glaring at him as he tried to get up.
A gentle hand slid over her shoulder. She turned around, ready to throw a bolt of energy at the individual bold enough to approach at such an inopportune moment. The look of sadness rather than fear on Will’s face stilled her hand. “This is not what Conri would want. You know that as well as I do.”
“They are all violent. This is why they are not welcome here.” Ciaran continued spewing hatred as he managed to sit up against the tree.
“Yet Conri protected you from Nessa’s anger. You who has shown him nothing but contempt.” Will’s defense of Conri was immediate and fierce. “Your grandson is by far the better person.” Will stepped between her and Ciaran. “We should speak with Declan’s mother rather than wasting our time here.”
Nessa turned and headed back toward her horse, not even bothering to glance down at Ciaran again. She hated Conri’s grandfather, a situation unlikely to ever change. It would be nothing short of a miracle if she could keep herself from killing the man. Knocknashee would be a much happier place if he were dead. Unfortunately she had no legitimate reason to take his life. There was also the regrettable fact that Conri would be sorely displeased if she killed his grandfather.
Conri’s mother learned to ride during her time at Rory’s castle. Etain instructed Glenna on how to mount the horse behind her as they set off to visit Declan’s mother. Nessa managed a small grin as she watched Etain and Glenna. They were climbing out from beneath Ciaran’s powerful grip, undoubtedly frightened of what the future held. Nessa vowed silently to make certain the two women were never left floundering in the mortal world on their own, both risked everything to help Conri when he needed them.
Etain and Glenna rode beside her as they led the way toward wherever Declan’s mother lived. Rory’s guards were forced to ride behind them. There were too many trees for the men to surround her.
“Tell me about Declan.” Nessa saw no reason to waste the time.
Glenna looked off into the distance as if her mind suddenly traveled to a far away place. “The three of us were always together. Conri and Declan were not all that fond of each other but I adored them both. Conri never understood why Declan was…well, the way he was. I never gave away his secret.”
“What secret?” Etain asked the question first.
“His mother used to chain him up at night, shackling his arms behind the tree so he could not move at all. She thought it was merely a matter of motivating him to change form, refusing to believe him incapable.” Glenna continued staring off into the distance, reliving old memories. “I think that is why she lived so far from the rest of us.”
“Why did you not tell us?” Etain sounded horrified.
“Declan begged me not too. He said it would only make his mother angry then she might do something worse. I used to sit in the tree above him as a wren so he would not be alone. At first he tried to make me go away. Declan did not want anyone to see him like that. After a while he accepted my presence as unavoidable. Sometimes I would change into human form and sit with him. I always made certain not to fall asleep as a human. He was terrified of what his mother might do if she found me.”
Glenna’s story stunned them both into silence for a time. Nessa tried to imagine such a childhood. No wonder Declan seemed so fixated on gaining access to her powers. Had his mother put him up to it? Would she admit it if she had? Unlikely.
When a small stone hut came into view Nessa asked Glenna the only other question she could think of. “Have you seen Declan since he was cast out?”
“No. I deserted him just like everyone else.” The sadness and guilt in Glenna’s voice was hear
t-wrenching. The damage Ciaran’s hatred caused rippled endlessly out into the world.
“You were just a child, in no position to help him.” It was the only thing Nessa could think of to say but also happened to be the truth.
“Nessa is right you were just a child, caught in an impossibly complex situation no child should ever have to deal with. It is long past time someone stood up to my father.” Etain’s voice became extremely soft as she said the last sentence. It was a depressing conversation all the way around. Declan’s abduction of Conri cast a beam of bright sunlight on the abuse and cowardice taken as normal by the shifters at Knocknashee.
Nessa found herself feeling a bit of sympathy for Declan, a seriously unwelcome emotion. The damp and relative darkness of this place now seemed sinister and evil rather than magical and wondrous. The thick canopy of new spring leaves hiding things better left undiscovered. Nessa decided to focus on the stone hut in front of them. Small and shaped like a beehive it was barely large enough for two people and a few necessities. Hopefully Declan’s mother would be in her hut and not off gallivanting about.
The sound of so many horses approaching must have alerted her. A woman that could only be Declan’s mother stepped out of the hut, bending over to exit the small structure.
Nessa found herself momentarily stunned speechless by the woman’s beauty. There was a striking resemblance between Declan and his mother, the same deep blue eyes and shimmering black hair. His mother was tall and thin with an enviable grace. She appeared to almost float toward them rather than walk. Nessa imagined a wrinkled old crone cackling obscenities at them. The woman gliding toward them could not be more opposite. She wore a plain brown dress and no shoes yet held herself with the grace and bearing of someone with great power. Why would she hold such a high opinion of herself? That particular observation struck Nessa as more than a little odd. The woman wore near rags and lived in what amounted to a small pile of rocks. The fact that her son was cast out proved she held no power at Knocknashee among the shifters.