Chapter Twelve
River
Istoodacross from Derwin and watched in silence as he mixed liquids on his iron plate. It was imperative that we knew exactly what he saw, if anything, so we could prepare. Headed our way was a war, and any insight would bebeneficial.
Derwin tilted his head to the side as he examined the plate again. He looked rather calm considering the situation at hand. Finally, he looked up atme.
“It is not clear, but I do not see a lot of them on their way.” Derwin had not taken his eyes off of me. “But, I am seeing something with more clarity than I have ever seenbefore.”
“What?” I askedimpatiently.
“The prophecy, River,” he said with a faint smile. “All of the stars are brightlyshining.”
I frowned and glanced out the window over hisshoulder.
“Derwin—” I began to tell him no stars, nor even the faintest glimmer in the sky could be seen tonight with all of the clouds and fog, but he interruptedme.
“The prophecy has never been clearer, River. The witches and warlocks of the past that began the tales of one that would have great impact, will be satisfied tonight,” Derwininsisted.
I looked around the room, and my eyes settled on Merc. He gave me a smile, patted my shoulder, and then announced that he would outfit the boys with arrows. Merc and Phoebe hurried to a trunk of Derwin’s with the boys following him. I remained in front ofDerwin.
“Derwin, you told me many times that the prophecy said that I would be of benefit to my father. That is why Lochlaan did not kill me when I was a child. Is there a chance that I will not do what isright?”
“River, you must only think with your heart,” Derwin replied. “You will know what to do when the timecomes.”
I nodded. At that moment, I knew what needed to be done. I also knew that I could carry it through. I joined Merc and Phoebe, passing out the arrows to the boys and listened as Merc explained these arrows tothem.
“Derwin created these arrows a long time ago—” hebegan.
“Forever ago,” I added with asmirk.
“There is a potion forged into each tip. It is a venom that spreads fast once it pierces a vampire’s flesh. It only takes moments to kill,” Mercexplained.
“What if it hits a non-vampire?” Ethanasked.
“Well, if I am being honest,” Merc said as he looked around the room, “Only Derwin and Eve are notvampires.”
“The venom in the tips will not affect a human. However, this is still an arrow and can kill. So, please do not aim for Eve or me,” Derwinjested.
“There is no sense in all of us going outside in the storm,” Merc said as he began to pull on his cloak. “I will go outside and keep watch from a distance. If I detect them coming, and we know they are coming, I will shoot a non-venom arrow at the metal siding on the back of your place Derwin,” Mercexplained.
“Do not wreck my place, Merc,” Derwinwarned.
“Wait, I want to come along,” Sean announced. “My sight is so good. I can see at night perfectly clear. It is almost like everything is well lit at night for me, as it is during the day. Ask the guys. I could see further than any of them yesterday and last night,” Sean happily boasted his newtrait.
Merc looked around the room, and then when he met no objections, he nodded at Sean. Octavia told Sean to be careful, and as Merc led him to the door, I caught up tohim.
“Sean, stay close to Merc. Listen to him and watch his movements,” I instructed before theyleft.
When I went to stand beside Octavia, Klyn was right there and stood up. His arms were folded across his chest, and his eyebrows furrowed as he glared at me and thenOctavia.
“Would you like to tell me why Sean now has hyper vision?” he pointedly askedus.
I glanced at Octavia to see if she wanted to tell him. But Klyn was wise; heknew.
“Klyn—” Octavia began, only to be cut off byKlyn.
“What did you do?” hesnapped.
