“In a minute.”
If the Marrowstalker was physical, Grayson could have ripped its wings off or crushed it until it was no bigger than the size of a Coke can.Maybe he should do that now.But he hesitated.Something told him to hold off.
They were often used to bind other spirits to weapons,Christian explained.
So you’re saying that the Marrowstalker isn’t the soul that will be bound to a weapon, but that I–I will be?Grayson’s eyebrows rose.
That did not sound good, but that had to be it.It sounded as cruel and cold as Kaly could be against their enemies.
Yes, rather like it's the glue that will bind you to the metal. That’s my best guess anyways.Caemorn agrees with me, Christian added.
Then it is likely right.It sounds horrible so it's definitely right.Okay, how do we stop it?Grayson asked.Can I just rip it apart?
That would be unwise.It may look like a flesh and blood creature, but it–
Is not,Grayson guessed.
Even touching it with your gift may allow it to bind with you, Grayson,Christian advised.Caemorn believes that if you are bound to a weapon, getting you out again may be… very difficult.
If Caemorn is saying that then it is likely almost impossible,Fiona said.Hold on.We’ve got to move again.
Fiona, once again, teleported them from the bridge with the rushing water to the beach of the Gray Tides.The sand looked bone white under the moons.It glittered as if there were crushed diamonds in it. The midnight water was not calm.Waves crashed down onto the beach.White foam seethed over the sand.The smell of salt and seaweed washed over him and somethingelse.Something unearthly.
The Call of the Gray Tides.The desire to find out what is on the other side.Always.
He wrenched his gaze from it.The sky was clear.The Marrowstalker was just a dot in the sky aiming towards him.So they had time.A little time.
What if I teleport Grayson to Earth, Balthazar?The Marrowstalker could not go there,Fiona offered.That would give us more time to figure this out.
Caemorn says that’s not a good idea.The way your power works is that you cause Earth and the Ever Dark to touch–just like the gates–and the Marrowstalker will be able to immediately be there,Christian advised.It’s more complicated than that, but–
We get it.No teleporting or using gates to Earth,Grayson said.Watching as the speck of the Marrowstalker grew bigger, Grayson added,What weapon do you suppose Roan wants me bound to?
Let’s not even joke about that,Balthazar said.
Oh, c’mon, you joke about everything.It’s part of your charm,Grayson reminded him.What’s the plan, guys?We need a plan.How can we stop it?
Working on that,Christian said tensely.
“Fiona, can you really teleport forever?”Grayson asked.
“Nearly,” she told him.“That thing’s not getting you.”
Grayson checked its location again.It wasn’t much bigger than it had been last time.That was good.Maybe it was tiring.If only it was tiring.Grayson began to pace.Sand puffed up beneath his feet.
“I’m trying to remember everything I used to know about the weapons, but my memories aren’t cooperating,” Grayson admitted.“I know that I had many of them fashioned to my own specifications for certain wars.I remember that Kaly, of course, was a wizard at creating them, second only to Daemon.I remember…” He paused and looked up at the Marrowstalker.Still quite a ways away.It really must be tiring because it appeared to have hardly moved. “I remember… nothing else.”
“Would one of the weapons that’s already created be able to destroy the Marrowstalker?”Fiona asked as she too paced.“Or what about a Kaly Vampire in general?Couldn’t they just suck the creature into a soul gem or–”
Grayson didn’t get a chance to hear what she said next, because the voice in his head was so much louder,Found you.
And there the Marrowstalker was.Not in the sky hundreds of feet away from him.Not a distant speck on the horizon.
But instead rightthere.
Right in front ofhim.
Withintouchingdistance.
