by Kate Keir
When we finished telling them everything, Bear leaned back in his chair and tried to casually drape his arm across the back of Freya’s chair. She snorted at him, and he quickly pulled his arm back before speaking.
“So, when do we leave for Edinburgh?”
“You aren’t leaving,” Lyall replied.
“If you’re going up against Draugur, don’t you want a bear-shifter to help you out?” He waggled his eyebrows as he spoke.
Bear was a pretty terrifying shifter. He was huge when he changed into his animal alter—standing at almost ten feet tall on his hind legs. I knew that even wolf Lyall wouldn’t stand a chance against his strength.
“You and Freya can do more damage by staying here and hunting the mortal world Draugur. You could try taking the Flora-loyal Draugur with you. We’re going to take Artair and Enid with us, which should be plenty of tooth and claw power.” Lyall’s voice was firm.
“I’m getting left here, with him?” Freya’s voice was pitchy.
“Don’t worry, hotness. I’ll take care of you.” Bear gave an exaggerated wink at Freya as he spoke.
“I actually hate you both,” Freya hissed at Lyall and me.
I smiled affectionately at her and mouthed the word sorry.
“Are we leaving now?” Artair was all business.
“As soon as everyone is ready, yeah,” I replied.
“Will we go in shifter form?” Enid asked.
“I think that would be best. We’re more likely to go unnoticed that way, and we can eat on the move,” Lyall agreed.
“Eww.” Enid’s face paled at the mention of wild food. “I’ll shift into an eagle if that’s all right with you guys?”
I smiled at her eagerness to fly by Artair’s side as an eagle. “I think that’s a good idea. You two can be our eyes up above. You have more chance of seeing any enemies approaching from the air.”
Enid nodded in relief and headed to her room to clean up before we left.
“We shouldn’t be gone more than five days. Can you guys check in on Pen and Finlay as well, please?” Lyall asked.
“Of course, we will.” Bear spoke in a much more serious tone than he usually adopted.
Lyall nodded his thanks, and we both stood up. It was time to go.
Freya and Bear walked outside with us to say goodbye.
“Be careful,” Freya whispered to me as she hugged me tightly.
“I will, you too,” I murmured.
Artair and Enid squealed with impatience from their perches on a lightning-struck tree. They had already changed, and were obviously ready to go.
“Pen’s friend at the library is expecting us. As soon as we’re back in human form, we’ll use his phone to call you with an update, okay?” Lyall shifted from foot to foot as he spoke to Bear and Freya, clearly impatient to change form.
Freya nodded. “We’ll be fine, Lyall. Now go and get that box so we can put Sluag down, permanently.”
Lyall grinned at me. “I’ll race ya?”
It took no longer than three seconds for us both to explode into a mass of black and white fur and begin galloping for the woods. I felt a hint of pride that I could finally match his shifting speed. Although I realised I’d never match his pace when he ran as a wolf as I saw his black tail disappear into the tangled woods before me.
Behind us, I could just make out the screeches of Artair and Enid as they dived from their perches and started to follow us in the air.
Chapter Fifteen
If we weren’t travelling under the fear of being discovered by Draugur, and I wasn’t consumed with worry about Pen, I would have enjoyed our time together as our shifter selves.
I already knew I loved to run with Lyall in my wolf form, but I quickly discovered I loved being able to communicate with the two eagles who soared above our heads too, especially since they could pick out danger from miles away.
After two days of uninterrupted travel, we had become a bit complacent about the Draugur threat. As we approached Edinburgh, Lyall and I were in fierce competition—setting target finish lines and then racing each other to them. He would always win, unless I could manage to pick out an easier route through the terrain which meant I got less tangled in tree roots than him.
I had just beaten him to a river crossing that had been our latest finish line, and I was triumphantly pawing the soft ground of the riverbank when Enid’s voice shot through my head.
Draugur. Closer than they should be. Dammit, we should have been paying more attention.
Lyall reached my side and growled in frustration.
We should have been more alert. How far, how many, and in what direction, Enid?
The two eagles pitched and soared in the blue skies above us as they watched the approaching creatures that neither myself nor Lyall could see for ourselves.
South. They’re only about half a mile away, and they’re heading right for us. There’s three of them in total.
I could sense Lyall debating what we should do, and I stayed quiet, giving him a moment to think.
He finally came to a decision.
Let’s head east a little. We should be able to skirt around them as long as you two can keep eyes on them and make sure they don’t change direction.
The eagles completed a full circle in the air above our heads before they glided in a southerly direction to keep track of the approaching Draugur.
Lyall lowered his head and bounded into the trees, heading east and away from the potential confrontation. After an uneasy glance over my shoulder, I bunched my muscles and leapt after him.
Lyall ran slowly enough to make sure I kept up with him, and we maintained an easy pace through the dim forest as we ran east, hoping we had acted quickly enough to avoid the oncoming Draugur.
None of us was particularly afraid of taking on three Draugur, but every fight was a risk and could also draw unwanted attention to our current location.
Are they still headed in the same direction, Artair? Lyall’s question sounded loud inside my head.
Yes, we’re overhead and have all three Draugur in sight. Looks like you’ve missed them completely. We’ll watch them for another mile and then catch up with you guys. We might lose range on communication for a bit, though.
Lyall shrugged his huge black shoulders at Artair’s reply.
No big deal, you’ll find us again in no time. See you soon.
There was no reply from either Artair or Enid, and I guessed they had moved out of range of our telepathic link. I shook off a shiver of worry and followed Lyall’s lead.
He had started to curve our direction around a little. Now that we were out of the path of the Draugur, we were gradually realigning ourselves southward bound.
I hope they’re okay.
They’re fine. They have wings, love. The Draugur can’t touch them.
I nodded my head, knowing he was right. We were the only ones who would have been in danger if the Draugur spotted us.
We ran in mental silence for another few minutes before Lyall suggested we stop and wait for the eagles to catch up with us. We halted by a stream and both took advantage of lapping at the cool, fresh water while we waited.
I had just lifted my head after finally satisfying the thirst that burned at the back of my throat, when a blur of colour flew through the air and knocked into Lyall, taking him by surprise and toppling him off his huge paws.
I had no time to react before a second Draugur barrelled into my side, catching me unawares. We both snarled and snapped at our attackers. Even now, I wasn’t particularly worried about taking on two Draugur. With Lyall at my side, they had no chance.
When six more of the creatures suddenly burst from the tree line, my heart almost dropped in my chest, and fear rose like bile at the back of my throat.
Lyall. There’s more of them. I shouted inside my mind.
Artair? Enid? Lyall howled inside my head.
There was nothing, no answer from either of the other Dion. There was nothing we c
ould do except keep on fighting and hope we could hold the Draugur off until the others eventually arrived.
Lyall sank massive teeth into the leg of the first Draugur that had attacked him and was rewarded with a yelp of pain. He turned excitedly in my direction.
Flora, they’re mortal world Draugur. We can kill them.
I sent up a silent thank you that our opponents weren’t Endwood Draugur, as without the power of speech, I couldn’t have sent them back to where they belonged. These guys, however, could be torn apart by wolf jaws, and they wouldn’t ever make a comeback.
With renewed energy, I lunged toward my attacker and locked my jaws around her throat before tearing my head back. I had such strength as a wolf, that I almost split her head from her body.
For a sickening second, my mind was overwhelmed by the image of Helena Harris, with her throat torn open in the same way, and I froze.
I had finally learned to accept I had no choice in killing Lyall’s mother. But, I was still haunted by images of what I had done. Every now and again, the scene would play out in my mind and torment me with guilt. Now, really wasn’t the time to let it take over my mind, however.
My hesitation cost me dearly, and I felt a searing pain as a second Draugur plunged a silver blade into my shoulder.
Flora? Lyall howled in rage as he tried to fight his way past three more of the Draugur who crawled over him like ants.
I quickly glanced down to see a bloom of red saturating my snow-white coat as the Draugur pulled its blade free and allowed the wound to bleed. The pain served as motivation, and I leapt at the Draugur, taking it to the ground with a thud and tearing at its flesh.
Another Draugur wrapped its arms around my neck from behind me and started to squeeze in an attempt to cut off my air supply. I wriggled and bucked, trying to throw it off my back, and I was suddenly afraid they might actually kill us both.
A sudden shriek announced the arrival of Artair and Enid. As Artair dived at the eyes of the Draugur that was strangling me, Enid pecked at the face of one of Lyall’s attackers.
Artair quickly won his battle with the Draugur on my back, and I huffed in ragged breaths of air as it released its grip on my throat and fell away from me to land on the ground.
Flora, you’re bleeding. Artair’s voice inside my head was thick with worry.
Lyall reached my side and effortlessly finished off the last two standing Draugur with Enid’s help. His fury was so strong that nothing could have stood against him, but when he reached my side, his whole demeanour changed, and he whimpered softly as he licked at the wound on my shoulder.
I’m okay. I don’t think it’s too deep. I tried to reassure them all.
Enid was perched on a broken log, her yellow-gold eyes focussed on the forest edges as though she expected more Draugur to attack.
We need to get moving. It’s only about four miles to the library, and I think Flora needs to get that wound treated.
Lyall stood before me and bowed his head remorsefully.
I’m so sorry, love. I should have realised there could be more of them. I shouldn’t have let both of the others leave. Now you’re hurt.
I started limping south. I was surprised at how painful my shoulder was now, and I was more than a little bit worried about the amount of blood I had lost.
It’s okay, Lyall. None of us knew. Come on, we need to get to the library.
The eagles took to the sky, hovering directly above us—not letting us out of their sight again. Lyall stayed so close to my side as we walked I could feel the rumbling vibrations of every breath he took.
Chapter Sixteen
As the library loomed into view, I took a moment to be thankful the gothic structure had been built on a stretch of greenery on the outskirts of Edinburgh and not in the centre of the city.
Even with the protection of the twisting and winding little alleyways that made up the network of tiny streets in the old town, I knew I was in too much pain to be stealthy enough to avoid the gaze of hundreds of city dwellers. Add that to my bright, white fur, and I wouldn’t have stood a chance of going unnoticed.
The library rose up from the immaculately sculpted gardens which sprawled around the gothic structure. Its individual spires pointed toward the sky like elaborately decorated fingers, and the cast-iron drainpipes fed rainwater to the waiting mouths of hideously graphic gargoyles, who leered down at us from their eternal perches on the building corners.
It’s an impressive building, Lyall admitted as we approached the huge double doors.
It’s creepy, Enid thought aloud as she hesitantly landed on a stone dragon that was one of a pair that appeared to guard the entrance.
The doors swung open, and just as I was wondering how we were going to communicate with the round and red-faced man who appeared from behind them, he spoke.
“Welcome, Soul Keeper and her Dion. There will be time for formalities later. You are hurt, Flora Bast. Come inside and let’s get that wound fixed up.”
The two birds of prey flew through the door and into the huge open library space, and Lyall and I followed quickly after them, crossing the black and white checked floor.
Once I was inside and I knew we were safe, I permitted myself to fall to the floor. My tongue lolled from my mouth as I panted heavily.
Flora? Lyall’s fear was obvious, even inside my head, but I had no energy to reply. Instead, I burrowed my nose into my fur and let blissful unconsciousness wash over me.
Waking up in a camp bed inside a tiny wood-panelled room that was furnished with a single desk and about a thousand books, I sat up quickly as I realised I was back in human shape and wearing clothes.
Lyall’s voice felt like a soothing balm across my bandaged shoulder.
“Hush, love, you’re all right.”
“Lyall, how did I get here? Who dressed me?” The only thing I cared about right now was who had seen me without my clothes.
He snickered a little. “Stop panicking, Flora. Enid dressed you. Your dignity is still intact.”
I breathed out a sigh of genuine relief and lay back against the lumpy pillow. “What happened?”
He leaned across the bed and grabbed my hand, twining his fingers with mine. He lifted my hand gently and teased his lips against my knuckles before he replied.
“You’d had too much, love. You passed out, and when that happens, you shift back to human form. Eric dressed the wound. He’s a bit of a witch doctor, I think, and then he put you in his room to rest.”
I looked around the book-crammed room sceptically. “This is where he sleeps?”
“He is a librarian, Flora,” Lyall laughed. “So, how do you feel?”
I shifted my shoulder and realised the pain was almost completely gone. “I feel good. I wouldn’t mind a shower, though.”
“I thought you might say that. I’ll show you were to go, and then you can meet us down in the library stacks, love.”
I swung my legs out of the bed and stood up to follow Lyall. As we padded along the threadbare carpet of the balcony that followed all four walls of the building and overlooked the library down below, something occurred to me.
“Did you get the box?”
Lyall pushed open the door to the tiny but immaculately kept shower room. “No, Eric said he will only give it to you. Apparently, he needs to give you instructions to go with it.”
I shrugged. “That makes sense, I guess.”
“See you downstairs, love.” He headed for one of the three staircases that wound their way down to the library floor.
“Okay, see you in a minute.” I closed the door behind me and hurriedly showered and brushed my teeth with a toothbrush I found that was labelled Flora.
Once I was dressed, I padded down the same staircase Lyall had used and crossed the buffed and polished stone of the floor to reach the huge, round table where the others were waiting.
The red-faced man who had opened the front door to us was seated at the table, and he smiled as I sat. I gues
sed this was Eric, and I returned his smile.
“Thank you for fixing my shoulder up, Eric.”
He ducked his head in acknowledgement. “It was nothing, Flora. We are here to help you in any way we can at the Library of the Anam. We may not be fighters, but we are known to be healers and avid students.”
“Did Pen tell you everything when she called?” I wondered if he knew just how close to the end of the world we were.
He nodded sagely. “She did, although we already knew much of it anyway.”
“Really? How so?” Lyall asked curiously.
Eric raised his white eyebrows, making his jowly face look even more friendly. “We are an establishment of knowledge, Lyall. We employ a lot of seers.”
It was our turn to raise our eyebrows at that. “So, you have knowledge of the future then?” Artair quizzed.
“Some,” Eric replied evasively.
“Do you know anything that might help us fight Sluag?” Enid asked.
“Yes and no, young one. Seeing is subject to constant changes and influences. It isn’t often we can guarantee our visions.”
I was certain he was hiding something intentionally. “Do you have any information you can share with us?”
He paused and studied me for a long while before he finally answered me. “No.”
“Oh.” My disappointment was obvious.
“I do have information I can share with you, Flora, but only you.”
“All right, when?” I asked, eager to hear what he had to say.
“I have some things I must attend to this afternoon. Once I am finished, we can talk. I’ll send someone for you.” He stood up to leave.
“What should we do in the meantime?” Enid asked.
Eric beamed at her and waved his arm at the stacks of books that surrounded us. “Every remaining Dion manuscript in existence is stored here. Read and learn.”
After Eric left, Artair’s mouth twitched in humour. “He’s a little eccentric, isn’t he?”
“I think he’s lovely,” Enid said kindly.