“Thanks,” she grits out. Then her eyes latch onto something behind us, and she goes still. “Great skies, what isthat?”
We all turn to see Argo land next to us. His head swings in the direction of the unconscious fae, and he lets out a growl.
“Timberwing,” Rissa says dismissively. “Can you tell me if Auren is okay? Is she still in the fae realm? Did King Ravinger find her?”
“Rissa—” I growl, just as Osrik comes stomping over.
“I don’t know anything about a Ravinger king, but she’s there. Last I saw her, she was fighting the Stone King, and then he fled—grabbed me with him.”
My thoughts churn with her answers, but I can’t help but notice how perfectly worded they are. Just enough information to make it seem like she knows a lot, without actually telling us much of anything.
Lu and I exchange a wary look.
When Osrik moves to grab hold of Rissa’s arm, she shrugs him off, refusing him. I hear him curse under his breath.
“What’s your name?” she asks the fae.
“Emonie.”
I blink incredulously. “Your name rhymes withenemy?”
She makes a sound that’s something between a snort and a scoff. It wheezes either way. “It’s actually a bit funny if you think about it,” she says, but when we all just keep staring at her, she sighs. “Oreans need better senses of humor. Look, I know you don’t trust fae right now because of the wholewe invaded your world and tried to kill youthing, but I’m not a Stone Sword. I’m on your side.”
I lift a brow. “We might be more inclined to believe you if you weren’twearingStone Sword armor,” I point out through gritted teeth.
She glances down at the pebbled chest plate like she forgot she was wearing it. “Oh, this. I had to be in disguise to fit in with the soldiers.”
“Convenient.”
A sharp breath comes out of her. “Look, you don’t trust me, and I understand that. But Iamon your side, and Auren is my friend.”
I stare at her for a few seconds. “Alright then, if she’s your friend, if you’re really here to help, then prove it to us. Tell me what that circle of grass is.”
Her gaze wavers over everyone, including the still passed-out fae.
When she continues to stay silent, I shake my head. “We should just toss her over the fucking edge.”
“It’s a fairy ring!” Emonie blurts out.
I go still. “A…fairy ring?”
But I’ve heard that term before. A long time ago.
Lu’s brows dip. Osrik and Digby glance toward the grass.
“What’s a fairy ring?” Rissa asks curiously.
“Shit in a stew, I better not regret this…” Emonie mumbles beneath her breath before she seems to shore herself up, looking right at me. “A fairy ring is a foothold. Ringers make them by tapping into Annwyn’s vein.”
“That was a lot of words to speak to not say anything,” Lu drawls.
“Said simply, it’s a way to transport you. If you go into a fairy ring, you’re taken somewhere else.”
My breath freezes. Everyone’s eyes dart around, like we’re all looking to see how each of us take in this information.
But then her previous question to the other fae pops in my head. “Wait a second… You asked the other fae where it leads.” My pulse starts racing. “Where does this ring lead?” I ask carefully, my question suspended.
“Well…” she begins slowly. “I think it connects to Annwyn.”
