“Heel,” Lucenna ordered. “We have to do this or she will die.”
Zev yanked so hard Cassiel thought the tether might snap. It only thickened, glowing brighter as Lucenna fed it more power. She wrapped it around her fist and reeled it in, dragging him to her. She stomped on the magical leash, and it forced him to sprawl on the ground at her feet.
Lucenna petted his head. “There’s a good wolf.”
A deep, threatening growl rumbled in Zev’s chest. But she must have had him completely subdued, because he no longer moved.
Princess Keena grinned and nodded her thanks. “Come through the Wild Wood due west to be introduced at King Dagden’s court. We will be waiting for you.”
She carried Dyna towards the dense trees, her wings leaving behind a trail of gold dust. The tiny guardsmen followed her into the forest. Cassiel shook his head sharply, snapping himself back to reason from whatever despair had stumped him. They couldn’t simply give Dyna to the fae.
Cassiel ran for the forest, but when he reached it, there was nothing but the first morning light streaming through the still trees. The fairies had vanished into the dawn, taking the other half of his soul with them.
Chapter 23
Von
The coming of night greeted Von as he, Len, and Bouvier finally reached camp after two days’ ride. The rows of tents appeared as they passed through the boundary of the cloaking spell. They cantered for the large black tent in the center. A young Raider appeared as they dismounted, taking the horses away to be brushed and fed.
“Master, I have returned,” Von announced as they slipped through the entrance.
The last of the Forewarning Crystal’s light faded as he took in the occupants inside. Tarn sat at his place at the head of his table while Novo and Elon stood before him, mid-report. They were filthy and haggard from the road. The Maiden was nowhere in sight, but Tarn looked pleased.
“It seems you also return with good tidings,” he said, taking a drink from his goblet of wine. “Elon, repeat what you have told me.”
“Commander.” Elon nodded to Von in greeting. “The Guardians thwarted our second attempt to take the Maiden.”
“I see that.” Von took in their battered appearance and the bloodied bandages. “What happened?”
“The sorceress has joined the Maiden’s company.”
Ah. Well, that explained it. Elon was a powerful opponent in his own right, and so was the sorceress. He’d been no match for her in Corron.
“We knew she would,” Von said. “The Seer had predicted it.”
“Her spells paired with Lord Norrlen’s skill kept us at bay.
“And the Lycan took a few bites out of me,” the young spy retorted. “Tell him about after, Captain.”
Von frowned. “What happened after?”
“We continued to track them and followed them to the fjord,” Elon said. “They also seek divination from the fae and considered the scales of grindylows would make sufficient payment.”
Von stilled. “They didn’t gothere?”
“Aye, straight to the fjord,” Novo confirmed, visible excitement drawing him to answer. “The stupidest thing, really. They were surrounded and surely would have been rendered fish food if not for the Maiden.” Grinning, he held the pause long enough to make it suspenseful. “She has magic, Commander.”
He knew as much already. Geon had told him Dyna healed him in Corron, which he had deliberately kept from Tarn for her sake.
Careful to play the part of the unsuspecting party, Von wore an expression of shock, even as apprehension washed through him. “Magic? Are you sure?”
“Aye. She lit up like a green star. I have never seen anything like it. Then power exploded out of her and torched the entire fjord, killing the little sea beasts. We were on the cliffs, watching from a distance, and yet the blast threw us off our feet.”
Von met Elon’s gaze and he nodded.
God of Urn.There would be no hiding Dyna’s abilities now. Tarn liked magic and would collect her, as he had everyone else who was useful to him.
But it begged the question: what was she? Humans couldn’t use magic, so how could she?
