It was unlikely that Nathan was talking about Noctessa being the realm in question. For one thing, it was only recently reopened. For another, they were a secretive lot.
For good reason.
I couldn’t see them opening a pathway for their enemies to exploit.
That left the Summer Lands as being the most likely point of connection.
A lead. Finally.
If Muiredach really had taken Brax and the rest of the pack captive, that would be where he’d take them. The way point between his world and this one.
We needed to get in there.
Somehow.
But not with Nathan watching me like he expected me to strip off my top and run straight toward certain death.
“I mean it, A. Stay clear of that place. This isn’t one of those times you can bumble your way toward the outcome you want. The Fae in there aren’t like the ones you know. They’ll tear you apart mind, body, and soul. Even if we get you back physically intact, you’ll never be the same.”
“You’re acting like I have a death wish or something.” Despite the bone deep chill his words left in me, I did my best to play off his warning, moving past him to where I saw Anton lounging beside what looked like a poker table. “Aren’t we here to have agood time? You don’t have to worry about me wandering into the scary barrow tonight.”
Tomorrow, on the other hand, was a different story. One I’d have to consider very carefully in light of the new information Nathan had provided.
Saving Brax and the pack was one thing. It was another if that meant a journey into the Summer Lands.
Too bad I had a feeling Caroline was already planning her method of infiltration.
“You took your sweet time,” Anton announced as we approached. “Any trouble?”
Nathan threw himself into the chair across from the other enforcer, stretching his legs out under the table to get comfortable. “They encountered a siren.”
Anton lifted his eyebrows. “You visited the water’s edge?”
The way he said it, as if that made us idiots, brought a flush to Deborah’s cheeks.
“Someone failed to warn us about the dangers,” I said, covering for her.
Maybe if they had we would have made different choices.
“It’s the Playground. The strong prey on the weak and the weak attempt to evade their fate. Both sides get something out of the struggle.”
If he said so.
I glanced down at the green felt table. “What’s this?”
Anton made a gesture for us to sit. “A visit to Vegas isn’t complete without a little gambling.”
“You dragged me all the way here to gamble?”
“Did you have something better to do?”
“I heard the shows are pretty good.”
“You want to see a show?” Nathan asked.
“You don’t have to be so negative. I can do tourist things too.”
Nathan and Anton shared a look, both silent for a moment before they broke into loud guffaws.
