“Maybe we should stay.” I looked back wistfully at Eli.
“If I didn’t feel the Otherworld splitting my insides and shoving me out, I would agree.” He grunted, nudging my back, and herded me through the door.
The moment Eli and Lorcan walked through, relief exhaled from their lungs. I had no idea how much discomfort they had been in, but knowing Eli, it was more than I could even fathom.
We were only feet away from Lars’ property line when I heard a voice. “Sir, they’ve returned.” Gorgon, the head of Lars’ security, stepped out. Rimmon stood stalwartly behind him.
“Crap.” My last sliver of hope we hadn’t been gone long enough for Lars to find out dissolved.
“Oh, I think you will be saying a lot more when Lars gets ahold of you. Don’t think I’ve ever see him so pissed. Right, Rimmon?”
Rimmon snorted. I gulped.
“Come on. Boss is heading our way now.” Gorgon jerked his head behind him. As we crossed the property line, the spell skated over my limbs. Gorgon escorted us through the forest, and with every step, dread sank in deeper.
“How long were we gone?” I asked.
“Five days.”
This meant it was only three days until Samhain.
Double crap.
The first sounds came from Cal as he slipped out of the sheath, flying to my shoulder. “You are so screwed, girlie. And not by him.” He thumbed back at Eli.
I agreed. Lars’ anger was valid, but the punishment might exceed the crime. Most feared him and not without reason. He was a Demon with the power to control your body to cause you to do things against your will. If you tried to disregard his bidding, it felt like your insides were being scraped over a cheese grater. It was pointless to ignore him anyway; his power was too much to fight. All my brain pictured for my punishment was me being forced to lash my own back with a spiked ball. Or drowning my head in a boiling pot of oil.
“Stop.” Gorgon halted us. “He wants to meet you here.”
“Why? So there will be no witnesses?” I exclaimed.
Gorgon only smiled.
Kennedy looked like she wanted to vomit. Eli and Lorcan stayed expressionless.
The person who walked out to meet us was not whom I expected.
“Gabby?”
“Came to see you guys get spanked.”
“Think you have done enough, Gabrielle.” Lars, dressed in a crisp suit, strode over the foliage like it was a Manhattan sidewalk.
“Yeah, Gabrielle.” I placed my hands on my hips.
“What?” Gabby shrugged. “I distracted him. You didn’t specify how long I had to divert his attention. I am good, but I think five days is past even my ability.”
“Thank you, Gorgon. You and Rimmon may return to your duties.” Lars gave a dismissive nod to the men.
Gorgon bowed slightly and headed back to his post. As he passed me, he grinned. I didn’t know him well, but he seemed to be taking great delight in my reprimand. Clearly not one of my fans.
Lars plucked at his shirt cuffs under his jacket sleeves; his voice strained. “And I think Alki is expecting you on the field, Gabrielle.” The hint was clear.
“Alki?” My brow went up.
Gabby hands went to her hips, and a tint of color dyed her cheeks. “I am now assisting him in training.”
“Really?” My little talk with Alki worked.
“Yes.” Gabby’s face turned red, then she rolled her eyes at me.
“And you should go, Gabrielle.” Lars ordered. When Gabby didn’t move, Lars glanced at her, his pupils converting into black orbs. “Now.”
Gabby shuffled backwards, her eyes wide. “Think Alki needs me on the training field. I’ll leave you to catch up.” She turned and disappeared into the forest. Wanting to join her myself, I stood my ground, my body rigid, waiting for his wrath.
“I’m sure Sinnie has missed me. Better go ease her worry.” Cal pushed off my shoulder and waved at me from behind Lars.
I glared at him. “Weenie,” I muttered.
“No, merely smart.” He headed in the direction of the house.
Lars’ skin paled, and his Demon fought for control. He clenched his fists, taking deep, slow, methodical breaths as he glowered down at me. “You must have been designed to test my patience.”
“Funny, it’s what I think, too,” Eli laughed as he nudged my arm. He was suddenly in the air, his fingers clawing at his throat.
“You find it a joke, Elighan?” Lars’ teeth snapped; his face contorted more into a hideous creature.
“Stop it,” I screamed at Lars. My instincts wanted to combat his powers. Once again I felt helpless.
Eli wrestled for air, his legs twitching as he dangled. Lorcan was sent flying into the dirt, his hands going for his own throat, choking himself. Kennedy shrieked, her legs crumpling beneath her as though by force.
“I know your weaknesses.” Lars must have tightened his hold around Eli’s and Lorcan’s throats because a gargled croaking sound came from both of them. “Do not forget what I can do if you disobey me again.”
“Please, stop!” I pleaded. “I know where the sword is being held. Grimmel showed me.” Sort of. I couldn’t get much from Grimmel’s enigmatic words “Follow hidden paths. Down below world.” It was still more than we had known before.
Lorcan froze. “Where?” His black eyes were intense and unsettled.
“Beneath the castle.” I think. “I will tell you every detail of the dreamwalk if you let them go.”
“Your information does not make your disappearing for five days acceptable.” His white lips moved tightly, but Eli dropped to the ground, and his mass quaked the earth under my feet. Eli pushed himself up, his own eyes flaming red. A growl shook his body.
I heard Lorcan gasp for breath and move quickly to Kennedy. “I’m fine,” she mumbled to him.
I placed myself between Lars and my friends. “Enough. Our disappearance was my fault. I wanted to spend my birthday with family.”
Lars’ head jerked slightly at my words. “You put yourself in danger and disappeared for five days so you could have a birthday party?”
“Yes. I wanted one night when I didn’t feel helpless or scared. One night I could forget all I am destined for, all the people I might lose, and simply have fun spending time with some of the people I love.”
Lars did not move, but his normal yellow-green eyes filled his pupils. His skin took on more of an olive tone. Finally, he broke the heavy air suffocating the space. “I want the four of you in my office in ten minutes.” He spun and walked away.
I turned to Eli. His hand lay on his neck, but his focus locked on the back of Lars. “Eli, are you okay?”
He gaze snapped onto me. “Yeah. Fine.”
He was pissed, and I knew better than to be overly concerned. It would only heighten his anger. Eli didn’t like being the less superior one in a fight.
“Fuck,” Lorcan muttered under his breath, rubbing his own neck.
“And he was just irritable. You should see when he really gets upset.” I sighed, relief sliding off my shoulders.
“He was merely irritable?” Lorcan remarked.
“Believe me. If he were truly angry, none of us would be breathing right now,” I replied.
Eli rumbled behind me. “The raven visited you last night?”
“Yeah.” I faced him. “I was going to tell you, but our first priority was getting you two out of the Otherworld. Now we need to go deal with a pissed-off Demon.”
His lips curved down, but gave me a curt nod. I turned in the direction of the house with a sigh. There was a good chance a pot of boiling oil waited for me. My feet shuffled toward the house. The rest of them followed begrudgingly behind.
TWENTY-FOUR
The warm sun shone down on a beautiful fall day designed for relaxing. Mother Nature painted each leaf with a brilliant pigment of color. Bright reds and oranges dyed the trees into a rainbow of auburn shades. Fall was my favorite time of year, and I too
k in a deep breath, seizing all the spicy smells of the season. My enjoyment of the perfect day was marred by the uncertainty of what Lars’ punishment would be. He had not let us off the hook.
We only made it to the beginning of the field on the way to the Unseelie King’s office when a voice shouted, “Kennedy!” Jared jogged to us from his workout spot on the grass. His sweaty face lit up at seeing his girlfriend. “Where have you been? I was really worried about you.” He faltered as his focus went from her to the man behind her. “What the hell are you doing here?”
Kennedy put her hand up. “Calm down. It’s not what you think.”
Jared didn’t respond, keeping his attention locked on Lorcan.
“Hey.” Kennedy grabbed his chin and turned it to face her.
Jared seemed to finally see his girlfriend. He reached for her and gave her a quick kiss. “Where were you? You’ve been gone a week.”
Kennedy cupped Jared’s cheek with her hands. “I’m sorry. We went to see Ryan. We were only supposed to be gone a day, but some bugs attacked us ... and ... we were extraordinarily lucky to get out.”
“You went to the Otherworld without me?” His body stiffened, and his eyes widened at her words.
“You were training, which is more important than you coming with me. I wanted to see Ryan and spend time with him. You needed to stay here and train.” She gave him another quick kiss.
He nodded in excitement, his anger dissolving. “You should see what I learned.” He moved away from her, bounced and made a skewed flip to the side. He landed and did some punches in the space in front of him.
“Impressive.” Kennedy smiled and moved back to him, kissing his cheek.
Eli grabbed the back of Jared’s neck, playfully squeezing it. “Think you can fight me now?”
“Oh, I can take you, old man.” Jared took the bait and bounced about like the Energizer bunny.
Eli’s arm wrapped around Jared’s torso, which hit the ground in a matter of seconds. “You sure?”
Jared’s ego was all Dark Dweller and boy. He didn’t like being shown up, especially in front of Kennedy. His eyes narrowed as he bounded up, jabbing Eli in the gut.
“We need to go. Lars is furious enough with us.” I flicked my matted hair off my shoulder, twisting it into a low bun. My skin itched with drying mud and grime. I longed for a shower.
Eli brought Jared into a head lock, rubbing the top of his head. “Keep working on those moves. I’ll come out later and practice with you.”
“Where are you guys going?” Jared scanned the four of us.
Kennedy motioned towards the house. “Lars wants us in his office.”
“I want to come.” Jared wiggled free of Eli’s hold and sprung to Kennedy, taking her hand in his. A possessive gaze was directed at Lorcan. Kennedy looked at me.
“No, sorry, J. But I am saving you from getting strung up by your intestines with the rest of us.” I patted his back as I walked past.
“Sorry.” Kennedy squeezed his hand.
“I’ll come find you after practice.” He gave her a quick peck and ran back to his spot on the field.
We made it to the house where Cal sat in the spoon holder on the stove next to Marguerite as she cooked. “You turncoat.” I pointed at him as I walked through and gave Marguerite a quick hug.
“Self-preservation,” he hollered back at me.
“Deserter.”
“On scrumptious brownies.” Cal giggled.
I groaned, shaking my head. The four of us continued to Lars’ office.
When we entered, Rez stood at his desk, tablet in hand, while Lars was on the phone.
Rez turned and gave me an exasperated look. “You need to stop making him crazy. I swear you have given him his first gray hairs.”
“But then why would I get up in the morning?” I retaliated.
“You look awful. What happened?” She frowned.
As I was about to answer, Lars put down the phone, and she snapped her gaze back to him.
“The Selkies are arriving soon. Be sure they are housed near the river,” Lars said to Rez.
Her fingers tapped on the screen. “Is that all?”
“Yes, you can go.” He relaxed in his chair. She nodded and swept out, never once smiling.
Lars’ regard fell on each member of the foursome then bored into me. “As the future Queen, I expect you to act a certain way, especially after recent events in London and New York. You need to stop thinking of yourself and start thinking for the kingdom.”
Ouch.
“You will have obligations, people to lead, and an entire court looking to you to guide them through the aftermath of the war. Start acting like you are the ruler of these people and not like a spoiled, selfish, little girl. You are an adult now. Behave like one.”
Angrily, I strode to his desk, placed my hands on the top, and leaned into his space. “That is why I needed to do it. If, and it is a strong if, I live long enough to become Queen, my entire life is all wrapped up in a bow. I will have my existence planned out for me, down to when I go to the bathroom. I am willing to do it because I don’t want the Light to suffer. They need a ruler, and they need someone to get them out of Aneira’s mess. I know I am her blood, so if it is meant to be me, then I will do it. But it is not because I want to.” I tilted even farther into his face, my voice a harsh whisper. “You know better than anyone what I am giving up, to do the right thing. Aneira’s massacres and destruction made it exceptionally clear I needed one last night with my family and friends. Don’t make me feel bad for wanting to be with them.”
Our eyes were deadlocked before he shifted and nodded slightly. “Tell me everything about what the raven said and where the sword is.”
I filled him in on every aspect of my dreamwalk with Grimmel.
When I finished, he swiveled his chair and stared out the window. “You all look and smell horrendous. Get cleaned up, and then I would like the four of you to go through different scenarios and strategies of getting into the castle. All of you must be ready for every situation thrown your way. I have set up a mock battlefield downstairs in the family room. No one will interrupt you there. I do not want you to leave until you have fleshed out a dozen plans to infiltrate the castle. And even more of how you will escape.” Lars scooted back to his desk and picked up the phone. “You are dismissed.” He had pardoned us, but his gruffness told me it could as easily swung the other way.
I hadn’t gone to the Otherworld to anger him or be rebellious out of spite. Seeing my mom and my dad meant everything to me. If I were going to die, I wanted them to know how much I loved them and to have those last moments with them. Still, I hated upsetting Lars.
Everyone filed out of the room. When I reached the door, Lars called to me, “Ember, I do understand how it feels, and I know about loss and sacrifice. But it must be done, and the faster you come to accept it the better it will be for you.”
I turned to look at him. “That’s the difference between you and me. Sacrificing people I love will never be something I will accept.” I stepped out of his office and shut the door.
After our showers, the four of us met in the large family room downstairs. Upon entering, I spotted Lars’ mock battlefield. It was the size of a ping-pong table and placed in the center of the room. A miniature castle and field sat in the middle, replicating the Seelie fortress. It was detailed to perfection even to the bridge and landscape. Dozens and dozens of tiny plastic figures painted with the Queen’s insignia lay in a pile, one of them larger than the rest, representing the Queen. On the other side were black figures, most of them blank, except for a handful with initials on them. I found the EB figurine head first in the moat.
“Looks about right.” Eli snickered. I snagged the ED model and threw it in the painted lake.
“Nice.” He grabbed for his piece.
I set my miniature self down at the beginning of the pass. “All right. We need to start. Let’s say we get to the bridge, but it’s blocked. What ar
e our other options?”
Lorcan and Kennedy moved on the side of the table across from me and Eli. Lorcan handed Kennedy her model. She plucked it from his fingers, her eyes focused on the table before speaking. “The bridge is our only way in and out, unless ...”
“... we come from the water.” Lorcan finished her sentence.
“Right.” She smiled at him and placed their characters in the lake.
I put my piece on a spot by the lake. “This is how I got in before. There are sewage tunnels here. Let’s hope no one told Aneira how I entered last time, or she hasn’t thought of it.”
“Someone will think of it,” Eli said.
“I don’t know. Torin would have, but Josh is her First Knight now. He would have no idea they are there.”
“Her other soldiers would.”
“Probably, but it’s an option. It might be our only way.”
“I agree. On the water, we are too exposed.” Eli assessed the board.
“Not if we’re in the water,” both Kennedy and Lorcan said at the same time. They looked at each other and laughed. He bumped her shoulder. “We need to stop doing this.”
“I know.” She chuckled again, nudging him back. “Dax wanted to kill us one night, remember.”
“Oh, yeah, I remember.” Lorcan rubbed the back of his ear; a smirk played on his lips, and he became lost in a memory.
Eli’s brows furrowed, his gaze going from one to another.
“There you are. I’ve looked everywhere for you guys.” Jared pounded down the last few steps into the room. Kennedy’s head sprang up, the smile falling from her face. She quickly moved away from Lorcan.
“Oh, cool.” Jared sauntered to the table and picked up a figurine off the board. “Where’s mine?”
“You don’t have one.” Lorcan placed his LD figure on the board.
“Why not?”
“Because you won’t be going with us. You know that.” Kennedy placed her hand on his arm, rubbing it.
“Right. I am to stay here with the women and children.” He glared.
We girls immediately put our hands on our hips. “Excuse me?” My eyebrows cocked up.
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