That would save us some time. “Thank you. And what is my task exactly?
Ilis turned toward the water. Her gaze sharpened, her fae senses likely seeing something I couldn’t. I narrowed my own eyes. This place creeped me out.
“There are creatures of myth here,” Ilis said. “Creatures which fled the more populated areas of this realm. One such creature has made its way into your human mythology.”
Well that was as clear as the mud beneath my feet. Amusement flickered through Ilis’s eyes at whatever she saw on my face.
“In order to prove yourself as a warrior fated to claim the sword—even for a short period of time—you must slay one of these creatures. Bring me its head, and I will tell you who I once saw with the sword.”
My mouth dropped open. Well, that took a dark turn. I glanced around at the wetlands. “Any hints about where I can find this creature?”
She shook her head. “You must use your own inner compass.”
Awesome.
11
DANICA
Isurveyed my surroundings. Edward–the guy my mom had somehow convinced to train me from the time I was a teenager–had ensured I trained under various conditions, but it had been a long time since I was in a swamp.
Next to me, Ilis waved her hand and a canteen appeared. “Water,” she said, handing it over, and I clipped it onto my utility belt.
“Thanks.”
Obviously, she wasn’t expecting this to be a quick little trip.
“You may not use your power for this task,” Ilis said.
I gaped at her. “Why?”
“True warriors use their skills and their cunning to complete tasks such as this.”
I gave her my best “are you kidding?” look. “True warriors use whatever advantages they have available to them.”
“These are my terms.”
Her terms sucked. I clenched my teeth so hard my jaw ached. “Fine.”
“One more thing.” She smiled at me. “I need your dagger.”
I didn’t bother offering her my Nim Cub or my Mark II. I merely narrowed my eyes at her and clamped my hand over Misty’s hilt. “Why?”
“You may not have help for this task,” she said, her gaze steady on my face. “I will keep it safe for you.”
She gave me a moment to silently debate the wisdom of handing over a fae artifact I knew damn well they’d kill to get their hands on.
Kyla would likely know Ilis had Misty when she returned. Unless Ilis stashed it somewhere. The werewolf would be keeping a close eye on her. And it wasn’t as if the dagger was likely to be helpful, unless I needed someone to cheer me on and encourage me to use it for the gruesome parts.
My mind flashed to Samael, slowly crumbling away. It wasn’t like I had a choice at this point. I slid Misty from its sheath and handed it over. Ilis’s eyes widened as she clasped the hilt.
“I will return it to you once you have completed your task,” she said. “This I swear.” She gave me a nod. “I wish you luck.”
And then I was alone.
Unless I wanted to go for a swim, there was really only one path to take. I turned right and headed into the dense foliage of the island.
As usual in the fae realms, I could feel eyes on me. I pulled my Mark II and scanned my surroundings. Nothing jumped out at me, so I kept walking.
