by JD MITCHELL
“Ali!” Her name echoed across the darkening sky. Dub looked up, his expression souring.
“Ali wake up!”
Her eyes flew open.
She shoved off the quilt and sat upright, her body aflame with adrenaline. The room came into focus. Both Red and Leigh huddled over her. Neither of them wore shirts.
“I saw him!” she said, unable to keep her voice from trembling.
On the next couch over, Jessica sat upright looking drowsy. “Red what’s wrong?”
Red scrutinized Ali. “Dub.”
Uneasiness washed over Ali. If Leigh and Red were aware, then Leigh must have seen Dub. Her eyes found his. Leigh’s face was splotchy, and he was short of breath.
“You saw Dub, didn’t you?” Ali asked.
“Yeah,” Leigh said catching his breath. “What happened in your dream?”
Jessica stood, rubbing her bare arms where the cotton tank top didn’t cover her skin. The room was chilly, but Ali was too worked up to care.
Ali relayed everything she remembered including the decaying castle.
Red spun to face Leigh. “Did you see a castle?”
He shook his head. “Dub said something, but I didn’t understand him. Then I pulled myself from the dream.”
Ali wanted to know how Leigh managed ending that invasion, but she’d ask him about ending dreams later.
“We need to tell Aengus,” Jessica said as she reached for a flannel shirt.
“I’ll go with you,” Red said. He studied Leigh. “Stay here. Try to sleep.”
“Yeah right,” Leigh grumbled and flopped next to Ali on the couch.
Red strode into the other room and pulled on a shirt. In the moment's flurry, Ali had paid little attention to their minimal attire. She reddened at the sight of Leigh’s defined abs, then averted her gaze. She’d never seen Leigh without a shirt. He had more muscle than she realized.
Sawyer loitered in the doorway looking sleepy. “What’s happening?”
“Nothing,” Jessica said. “Red and I are running an errand. Go back to sleep.”
Jessica rushed past Sawyer and disappeared with Red. Sawyer watched them go, his sleepy face scrunched in confusion.
Ali beckoned for Sawyer to join her. He ambled to the other end of her couch and laid down, resting his head on a large pillow. Closing his eyes, he was asleep in seconds. Leigh pushed Ali’s blanket over him.
“I can’t sleep,” Leigh said.
“Me either,” Ali agreed. Between the threats of Dub invading her dreams and the anxiety over what the next few hours brought, it wouldn’t happen.
Leigh placed an arm around her and pulled her in for a hug. Ali’s stomach fluttered at the unexpected warmth of his skin.
“We’ll get through today,” Leigh said. “All of us.”
She laid her head against his chest, debating if she should hug him back or if that would be too intimate. Instead, Ali twisted her hands in her lap listening to his heartbeat.
His head rested on top of hers, and she relaxed, finding comfort in his embrace. Neither of them spoke. Ali’s eyelids became heavy as his rhythmic breathing and hot skin calmed her racing mind.
“Where are they?” Aengus’s voice floated from the other room.
Ali’s eyes flew open as Aengus strode in the room still dressed in black combat gear from the previous day. Leigh startled awake, and Ali realized they fell asleep sitting upright. She quickly removed his arm from around her earning a curious look from Jessica.
“Tell me every detail about the castle,” Aengus said standing before them.
Ali stammered out what she details could remember. Starting with the crumbling gray stone and ending with Leigh waking her.
“You heard the ocean?” Aengus asked, compressing his lips.
“Water hit the rocks below me, and it looked like the sun rose over the ocean,” Ali said.
Aengus’s eyes snapped to Red. “This explains why the scouts are two hours delinquent in reporting back. The Sons changed location again.”
Ali didn’t ask what being delinquent meant, the sour puckering of Aengus’s lips suggested this wasn’t the first time his scouts failed to report back.
“How do you know?” Red asked.
“When Ali pushed through Dub’s image, I believe she startled him. It sounds like he accidentally pulled her with him. It’s a common mistake with dream walking.” Aengus looked at Ali. “He drew your dream into his reality.”
She felt her cheeks pink. Dub fudged, and she was lucky enough to witness it.
“What does this mean for today?” Red asked.
Aengus pinched the bridge of his nose before he spoke. “I’ll need a scout to confirm.”
“But you recognize their location?” Red asked.
“Oh yes,” Aengus said. “Castle Seastán Deiridh.”
***
A few hours later Ali boarded one of eight busses transporting Aengus’s army. She, along with the others, were dressed in the fatigues the Fae wore. They bounced along the Irish countryside; a sleek convoy fit for American rock stars. Leigh sat next to her, whispering with Red about the plans for the assault.
Ali looked out her window as the buses followed a road into the middle of a dim forest, before parking.
“Why have we stopped?” Ali asked, fearing they arrived at the destination.
Red was the first to answer. “We are waiting on word from the otherworld.”
Ali sat straighter. “Has something changed?”
“The Fae restored this side of the passage. The Tuatha de Danann armies might break through,” Red said. His voice was hopeful, but exhaustion tugged at the corner of his eyes.
“Why didn’t you say so earlier?” Ali asked. “That’s great news!”
Leigh looked at his fingers, slowly exhaling. He wouldn’t meet her gaze.
“To be blunt, we don’t know what we’ll find,” Red said.
The sobering statement made her realize her excitement was inconsiderate. For Leigh’s sake, Ali decided to avoid further questioning. She gestured outside the windows. “So, where are we?”
“Twenty miles from the castle,” Red said. “Aengus halted the attack while we wait.”
“Oh,” she mumbled, her stomach turning at the realization they were close.
That ended the conversation. Leigh and Red discussed the drone strategy for the tenth time and Ali zoned out resting her head against the window. She didn’t fall asleep, but exhaustion lingered, begging her to try.
When one o’clock hit, the Fae served some chicken-type wrap–which oddly tasted like beef–for lunch. Ali wasn’t certain what the meat was or where the food came from but was thankful. Her stomach felt like it might eat itself.
Around two, Aengus paced outside her window.
At three, Ali wondered if the attack would proceed.
When five struck, Red discussed contingency plans.
A messenger arrived at seven after Ali ate the healthy portion of the beef stew that was served for supper.
Aengus, who had occupied the seat ahead of Ali, sailed to the front of the bus and engaged in an excited conversation with a Fae soldier. Ali couldn’t hear the exchange, but the slow deflation of Aengus’s shoulders told the tale. Something is wrong.
The conversation lasted another five minutes before Aengus rejoined them at the rear of the bus. “We have a problem.”
Leigh paled, sitting on the edge of his seat.
“How bad is the damage to the otherworld?” Red asked.
Aengus shook his head. “No word on that yet.”
Tension fell from Leigh’s posture as he let out a slow breath. Ali squeezed his shoulder, giving a reassuring nod.
“Do you want postpone?” Red asked sounding relieved.
“We can’t,” Aengus said. He wiped at his face. “The Sons sent another army of sluagh and red caps to my home. They are attacking the barriers as we speak.”
Ali’s vision blurred as his words sunk in. Dub was responsible
for this latest assault. He knew Ali was at the palace when he visited her this morning. This is my fault, again. A sharp pain bit her palm, and she looked at her hands realizing she’d balled her fists. Slowly, she uncurled her fingers and stared at the indentations her nails made in her skin.
Contrary to her anger, Aengus kept his composure. “My home can withhold an attack for the night, maybe two.” His eyes darkened. “However, the Sons smuggled the sluagh inside once before, they’ll gain access again.”
“We should go back,” Jessica said wide-eyed. “There are not enough Fae to defend the palace.”
Aengus leaned against a bus seat but didn’t sit. “Our scouts report the Sons are unaware our army advances.” He looked at Red. “We might catch them off guard.”
They met his suggestion with silence. Aengus gambled with the lives of those left behind.
“You want to attack the Sons while their forces are low?” Red said as though he was trying the words on his tongue.
“Before dawn tomorrow,” Aengus said.
Jessica looked appalled. “Aengus, they might breach your walls before then. If we go now, we can save lives. They will slaughter everyone inside if we don’t.”
“I understand the risk,” Aengus said.
Red tapped his fingers against his lips. Ali could almost see the cogs spinning. “Liberating Tuatha de Danann was a pipe dream. We don’t know the extent of the destruction to the otherworld.”
Leigh flinched but didn’t speak.
Red continued. “This is an opportunity. We’ll have a greater field advantage with their reduced numbers.” He looked at Jessica. “If we’re lucky, the sluagh and red caps will retreat to defend the Sons.”
“The sacrifice we’re talking about making is…” Jessica’s voice trailed as her gaze fell to Sawyer.
Red frowned. “It’s our best chance at succeeding. We may not have another opportunity.”
“Why not tonight?” Ali asked.
Aengus shifted his weight. “We waited too long. The sun sets in less than an hour. Most of our plan requires daylight.”
“What if Dub comes looking for Ali or me tonight? Won’t he find us here?” Leigh asked.
If Ali thought she’d get sleep, she now realized she wouldn’t. Not if it meant putting them in danger. “He’s right, Leigh and I should leave.”
“No,” Aengus said planting his feet. “We can’t risk sending you away.”
“You’ll lose the advantage of surprise if he finds us,” Ali insisted.
“It doesn’t matter,” Aengus said. “I can’t stop Dub from tracking you.” He gestured outside toward the other busses. “I can’t stop him from looking for any of the descendants here. We must take the chance he still believes we’re inside the palace.”
Ali swallowed as frustrated tears threatened to surface. She couldn’t be responsible for any more death. Dub followed her to the palace last night, and if she slept tonight, he could find the buses.
“I’ll wake you,” Leigh whispered. “If Dub comes.”
She looked to the window as a tear slid down her face. Wiping it away, she nodded. There was nothing to prevent Dub from invading her dreams.
Red stood. “Let’s speak with your captains. Dawn is our best chance.”
Ali watched Red and Aengus walk off the bus and onto the next one in search of Grace. Their planning would consume half the night. She steadied her breathing and kept the tears suppressed as exhaustion tugged at her. At some point, she’d have to close her eyes. She couldn’t go another twenty-four hours without sleep.
“This is wrong.” Jessica’s nostrils flared as her steely gaze focused on the bus Aengus just boarded.
From behind Jessica, Malvina spoke. “I appreciate your concern for the Fae.”
The tenderness of Malvina’s words surprised Ali.
“You have a good heart,” Malvina continued. She nodded toward the other bus. “Aengus cares more than he displays.”
Jessica bit her lip and spun in her seat. “The kids Malvina.”
“The remaining Fae will protect the children. It is our job to stop the Sons,” Malvina said. “If we fail, then they are lost.”
Jessica’s jaw clenched, but she nodded.
Malvina was right. When they left that morning, it was with the implied promise they’d end this nightmare. All of them bore the responsibility to see this though to the end. Ali just prayed the wards held the night.
Next to Ali, Leigh rubbed his forehead.
“Are you okay?” Ali asked.
Her question startled him, and his vacant stare found hers. “I wish I knew my parents were okay.”
“They’re safe,” Ali said. Those words passed her lips with frequency the past few days, but he needed to hear them. “Your parents will come for you.”
Leigh slid lower in his seat.
There was no comforting him, so she changed the subject to the item that weighed on her own mind. “Do you agree with Aengus and Red?”
He shrugged. “What choice do we have?”
Twenty Three
Jessica woke Ali around three am. Ali’s immediate reaction was relief. Dub hadn’t visited her dreams, which was a minor miracle. However, her self-congratulation was short lived as the reality of the day crashed into her.
Twisting her pinky ring, she listened to the eerie stillness of the other passengers as their bus bounced along a dark road. To distract herself, she recited the banishing spell she helped rewrite. She’d been rehearsing it every few hours since translation. It was important that she could recall every word when the moment arrived. Eventually the caravan stopped, the compressed air of the breaking system releasing with a phsst.
Ali’s pulse quickened has she debarked into crisp morning air. It was still dark, and the dampness from the grass cooled her boots. No one uttered a word, most of the Fae and Tuatha de Danann loitered in silence. The headlights of the nearest bus illuminated the scene, allowing her to see. An item called the Cauldron of the Daga was unloaded from a bus and carried to the edge of a large clearing. It was one of the four treasures of the Tuatha de Danann. She remembered Leigh had explained the cauldron’s relevance to Jessica the night Nash kissed Ali, but she’d missed that conversation.
Aengus appeared next to her, the bus lights illuminating his stature and casting his long shadow into the field.
“Is that the wishing well Leigh spoke about?” Ali asked.
A mischievous smile touched the corner of his mouth. “I never quite thought of the cauldron in those terms.”
As they approached it, she stared at its pale stone exterior. The surface was rough and pockmarked rather than smooth. “If the cauldron can give you whatever you want, can’t we just magic the Sons here?”
He shook his head. “Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way. Rather, it is a portal that borrows resources. It provided our meals, and the even busses we’ve used.”
“So, no people?” Ali asked.
Aengus appeared to consider her question. “Humans can pass though the cauldron, however, magical items and magical beings can’t.”
Ali scrutinized it, then glanced at Aengus and raised her eyebrows. “Could you teleport my favorite rock bad here for a private show?”
He chuckled. “Yes, but that would be a gross misconduct the cauldron’s use.”
She filed that tidbit away for later. Not that she harbored serious intentions of kidnapping a famous person, but the fact they could do it was awesome.
Aengus stood over the cauldron, his fingers gripping the lip as he extended his other hand into the empty abyss. He withdrew a sleek metal object with wings. It resembled a tiny white plane with missiles. It grew in size until it was nearly Aengus’s height, its wingspan nearly double the length.
“Is that a drone?” Ali asked him.
“Yes, controlled by that,” Aengus said pointing to what looked like an enormous black SWAT unit.
Ali hadn’t seen the unit before now, but the mud on the tires suggested
someone drove it here. They must have conjured it from the cauldron while she slept.
Aengus handed the drone to a nearby Fae, then dipped his hands back into the cauldron. The craft appeared to be lightweight as the Fae awkwardly carried it toward the nearby field before disappearing into the dark. Ali’s gaze shot skyward. It was near impossible to see due to a moonless night. Leigh said darkness would help with the attack, but the shadowy woods gave her the creeps. She backed away from the growing crowd, careful where she stepped as she made her way to the fringe. In a few hours, she’d pilot a drone. For now, she needed room to breathe.
“He’s a real chancer,” a familiar voice said.
She turned to see Nash standing inches from her.
“I’m not sure what that means,” Ali said flatly. She was done pretending to follow along with his slang and assumed this was another knock against Leigh.
Nash pointed at Aengus. “He’s a risk taker that one.”
Tension fell from her voice. “Someone needs to be.”
She couldn’t entirely see his expression, but she swore Nash smirked.
“I should apologize,” Nash said.
An apology was the last thing Ali wanted. She thought about telling him to make peace with Leigh instead.
“I was a complete donkey.”
Her irritation deflated. She didn’t know if Nash was referring to the night they kissed, or the fight with Leigh. Either way, she supposed it was best to swallow her pride and make amends.
“No worries,” Ali said shrugging.
“Right.” Nash looked past Ali focusing on the crowd.
She followed his line of sight. Standing in the glow of the bus’s headlights Leigh watched them, his expression sour.
“I don’t suppose Leigh is the forgiving type,” Nash said crossing his arms.
“He might be.”
Ali made eye contact with Leigh. He looked as though he would approach them; instead, he averted his gaze and walked toward Aengus.
“Leigh has designs on you,” Nash said.
This wasn’t a conversational turn she expected. “What’s your point?”
“His baldness doesn’t bother you?” Nash asked.
She spun to face him. “Why should that matter?” Her cheeks heated as her temper took control. “He’s a good person.” She took a step toward Nash. “What kind of jackass asks that question?”