Night Seeker (23 page)

As we crossed the pond, the gentle sound of the boat rippling through the water was our only companion. Tensions were high and there was nothing to say until we knew what we were facing. But my thoughts raced in circles. The magic Rhia and I’d done had proven once again to me that we had a bond deeper than just blood. We were fire and ice, the flame and the wind, and together, we made a powerful force.

Grieve reached forward and touched my shoulder, motioning ahead. I squinted through the mists. We were approaching an island, most likely in the center of the pond. My breath leaped to my throat. Was this our destination? Lainule had warned there would be beasts or creatures guarding the way.

The boat swung so that the side was facing the land. I looked back at the others and nodded. Cautiously, one by one, we stood and stepped out of the boat onto the island. As we did, the boat bobbed on the water. I looked around. The surrounding area was lit by a dim glow from the fog and though the air felt chilled, it wasn’t with the cold of winter.

I stepped forward, biting my lip, Lainule’s warning ringing in my ear. At any moment, I expected some great beast to leap out of the fog and trample us down. But nothing showed itself and so I took the lead, along with Grieve, and we motioned for the others to follow. Rhiannon and Chatter came next, and Kaylin brought up the rear.

The path led into another forest of roots and stalactites, covered with the ghostly ivy vines and sparkling flowers. It was alien and ancient. The path itself was solid, compacted soil and rock, and whispers began to fill the slipstream, voices echoing like distant wind chimes. I paused to listen, holding up my hand. The words began to trill, the soft speech became song, as music began to weave through the chanting and I fell into a light trance, enchanted by the rhythm.

Ulean, who are these singers?

There are many who can enchant with song. Be wary. Not all foes are foul, and not all beauty is kind.

I closed my eyes, waiting, listening. The voices rose on the slipstream, coming from behind us. I could barely make out what they were singing. But after a moment, the words began to weave around me.

I rocked on the cadence, letting it bolster me against the swirling mists. Slowly, I felt myself turning, as I headed back to the shoreline, to meet the water’s lapping waves. A part of me knew this was folly, that magic was being used against me, but the other part—the part that controlled limb and will—didn’t care. I would walk until the singing voices bade me to stop.

As I pushed the others out of my way, Grieve reached for my arm and I tried to shake him off. He held tight. “I hear them too—I can hear them on the slipstream, Cicely, but you have to ignore them. They’re sirens. They’ll lure you into the water and feast on your blood.”

I heard him, from far away, and saw the concern on his face, but nothing seemed to be able to penetrate the fog in which I was walking. I shook my head.

“Must go…must go to them…”

Kaylin came up on my other side and, with a sharp look at Grieve, grabbed me out of his arms and shook me soundly. He thrust his thoughts in my mind, his demon forced its way in and the rough, dark fire burned through the fog, leaving my thoughts scorched.

I screamed and went down on my knees with what felt like the mother of all migraines. Clasping my hands to my head, I screamed again, trying to shake the searing pain out of my mind. The world was a dark blur of flame and
shadow, and just as I thought I couldn’t handle the pressure, it began to dissipate. I blinked. Everything was still blurry, but my vision was beginning to clear.

After a moment, the roaring thunder faded to a dull ache and I moaned and fell back, landing on my butt with a thud. I groaned.

“What the hell did you just do to me, Kaylin?”

“Mind-fucked you. I forced my thoughts into your own in order to break the hold the sirens had on you. No amount of talking would do it.” He smiled apologetically. “You’re extremely vulnerable to empaths and beasties that work on a psychic level. You need to learn how to shield, but that can come later.” He offered me his hand, and with a careful look at Grieve, I accepted his help as he pulled me to my feet.

“You really blasted my thoughts. I feel like I’ve either got the hangover from hell, or I’ve been pounded into by a sledgehammer. Mind-fuck is right…” But it had worked. And had he not done it, I would be fighting to return to the water. “Tell me, why didn’t those things…whatever they are…attack us as we crossed the pond?”

“Like Myst’s Ice Elementals, I have a feeling they won’t act until someone sets foot on this island.” He shook his head. “We’re going to have be very wary. Lainule’s protection is magical as well as physical. She has to have wards and spells set up.”

“I’m so stupid. I don’t know why I didn’t think of that.” Once again, I felt like a shortsighted idiot.

“We’ve been fighting on a physical level for days now with Myst—most of her attacks have been via flesh and blood. We’re all tired. I dread to think what happens when she decides her Shadow Hunters aren’t doing well enough on their own and begins to strike at us magically.” Kaylin’s face was grim and I realized I had deliberately been avoiding that same thought. We could barely fight back against her warriors, let alone her magic.

“Let’s move. The longer we tarry, the more chance we have of setting ourselves up as targets. But keep alert, and if you feel yourself slipping, say something.” I shook off
the last of Kaylin’s shadow and fire, moving back into the lead with Grieve.

Ulean, couldn’t you break through the sirens’ songs?

You could not hear me. It would seem that something in their magic blocks our communication. I tried to call you back, but you faded out of my reach.

Keep close contact from now on. We can’t let that happen again.

As you say. I will, my friend. I have your back, as much as anyone ever can. And you, listen well, and the moment you think you sense something else, tell me—some whispers you will hear better than I. Others, vice versa.

And so we plunged on into the silent forest. The sirens’ calls vanished, but I wasn’t resting easy. There were darker things ahead, between us and the heartstone, set to protect. And no matter what we told them, they’d fight us because we could be anybody trying to get to the gem that kept the realm of Summer alive.

We pushed through the forest of rock and root, skirting the boulders settled at the base of some of the “trunks.” The albino ivy vines tendriled down to coil in our hair and try to hold us back. I brushed them away and they moved like snakes, slithering, rearing back, and I could swear I heard them hiss. But they did not strike, nor did they have thorns or fangs.

They are the eyes and ears of this cavern forest.

Are they sentient?

As sentient as any plant might be in the realm of Summer. Yes, they know we pass, but their thoughts are dark and shadowed, difficult to discern. They do not shout, nor raise a vocal alarm, but they can whisper among one another and let the rest know that invaders are on the way.

And are they doing that?

Yes, they are. I can hear them, though I can scarce give form to their thoughts and words.

I told the others about what Ulean had said, but there was nothing to do. As we passed each vine, Grieve gave it a surreptitious look but did not attack. The less we appeared to be intruders, the less trouble we should have.
Theoretically.

I began to feel eyes on me from every direction. On us. It was as if the whole freaky forest had suddenly sprung to life, but there was no telling just where that life was hiding. Or whether it even
was
hiding. Perhaps we were seeing the very creatures we were trying to hide from—within the roots of the trees and the giant hanging rocksicles.

We came to a fork in the road. Exhausted, I dropped to the ground.

“We have to rest.” I looked up at them. “Is there any chance we can get a little sleep?”

“That might be a good idea. Here, in the realm of Fae, time moves far differently. It’s impossible to tell how much time on the outside has passed, but probably far less than in here. Grieve and I are strong here. We can watch over the three of you while you sleep.” Chatter motioned to the side of the path. “You’ll have to curl up on the ground, but at least it’s not cold.”

Wearily, Kaylin, Rhiannon, and I settled ourselves on the softest patch of earth we could find. Grieve and Chatter took watch. As we drifted off to sleep, I wondered if I’d dream of this place.

As my eyes fluttered open, I wondered where I was, and then remembered. We were in the realm of Summer, looking for Lainule’s heartstone. As I slowly sat up and yawned, achy from sleeping on the ground, my head felt clearer and I didn’t feel nearly so out of it.

“Did you sleep well, my love?” Grieve was right where he’d been when I went to sleep, looking no worse for the wear. Chatter was sitting near Rhia, staring off into the distance. As I stood, he woke both my cousin and Kaylin.

“Yes, I think I’m good. How long were we out?”

“Who knows? Time passes differently here. You slept for a while, though.” Grieve kissed me gently, and—as Rhiannon and I headed behind some nearby boulders to take care of personal business, he and Chatter began to discuss the path ahead.

When we returned, I realized I felt much better. Rhiannon and Kaylin both looked refreshed, too.

“Which way do we go?” I asked.

“Right, I think.” Grieve motioned to the path and we turned and followed him, circling through rock and root, the scent of deep earth and mold thick in my nose. I had no clue where we were going, but instinct told me this was the way. The farther we traveled, the thicker the air became till it was oppressive and heavy on the lungs. The magic was steadily growing. I almost expected to see giant mushrooms and monster crabs like out of some old movie, but neither appeared.

Grieve looked at me and reached out his hand. I took it as we approached a narrowing of the path. The roots here were huge, so big I could only imagine the trees they belonged to. They truly were the rib bones of the world, running through the earth.

As we came to an opening into what looked like a cave within the cavern, where only one person could walk at a time, Grieve pulled me close and wrapped his arm around my waist. He leaned down and gave me a long kiss, then stepped in front of me, shielding me as he stepped into the opening.

“Wait till I call you.” He glanced back once, then was gone.

As I stood there, a million thoughts ran through my head. I could barely breathe, waiting to hear his voice.

A scream cut through the air. A woman’s scream. I plunged into the opening, followed by the others, and out into a lush inner sanctum. Under a golden green glow that emanated from the walls rippled a small pool, and on the pool, silver water lilies floated. Sparkling lights filled the air, clouding me with a strange perfume. I reeled and went down on my knees as the heady scent overwhelmed me. Rhia and Kaylin were down for the count, too. But Chatter stood tall, his gaze darting around the chamber.

I followed his lead. There, over by the edge of the pond, lay a lithe, nude woman. She looked ethereal, lovely, and
yet feral, but she also looked very dead. Her throat had been ripped open, and blood poured down her neck. To her left, stood Grieve, looking distant and aloof. Blood coated his lips.

My stomach twisted. What the fuck had happened? Chatter dragged me to my feet, and slogging through the magical force field, I leaned on his shoulder as he half-carried, half-led me over to Grieve’s side.

Grieve looked up as we approached, grimacing as he wiped his mouth and stared at the blood smearing his fingers. Letting out a little snarl, he threw himself down at the water’s edge and began splashing water on his face.

“Grieve…” Chatter’s voice was hesitant. Grieve looked like he was in some form of shock.

My love stared at the water. “Her song was so compelling. I couldn’t resist her. And when I drew close, she began to change.”

Chatter crouched down beside the dead woman and examined her, brushing her long dark hair to the side. His fingers brushed her skin lightly and examined her fingernails, then stood. “Iron nails. She’s one of the Black Annis. One of the Wilding Fae, like the snow hag. Dangerous and deadly, with a taste for flesh. If you hadn’t killed her, she would have killed you. Most likely one of the guardians Lainule stationed here. But what was she guarding?”

Grieve winced. “I tore her throat open. She was so beautiful, and her voice so tender, and then she began to shift and I acted on instinct. I ripped her throat out and would have gorged on her blood if I hadn’t managed to force myself away from her. But when she died, the spell broke and I was able to stumble away.”