Now that Magnus was on her tail, putting a league of water between them was her only chance.
Klyde paused, looking pleased by that suggestion. “To Kelpway, then?”
Drawing on the last of her power, Lucenna shut her eyes and cast a location spell. She searched through the void until she spotted a faint green light. The glowing bulb of Dyna’s Essence faintly flickered in theEssentia Dimensio,hiding behind a veil. Cassiel’s damn barrier. Lucenna could hardly see it and sensed she wouldn’t be able to for long.
But she managed to cast a tracking spell on Dyna, and the light moved rapidly away. To go at that speed, she must be on Tarn’s ship.
Lucenna’s eyes opened, and the path of purple flames sprouted through the streets ahead. “Dyna’s not in Kelpway anymore. The others won’t find her there. They will have to move on. What’s the next harbor?”
“Argent Cove.” Klyde climbed up behind her, taking the reins. “About a day’s ride ahead. Rest so you can recover. I will get us there.”
With a snap of the reins, he galloped away down the path of flames. His free arm pulled her close to the shelter of his warm chest. Lucenna didn’t have the strength to object. The fight had left her magic spent, and her mind was too preoccupied taking apart what Magnus had said.
Obstacles…
The word left her with an unsettling feeling. Lucien must have sensed something because his call drummed against her temples like an insistent tap, but Lucenna couldn’t answer the orb now. Her heavy eyes drifted shut. Tomorrow. She would contact him tomorrow and share what their uncle said. It had to be a lie. Or maybe she didn’t want to believe that Everest could be involved. But she was too tired to question it more.
Lucenna fell asleep as soon as they crossed the edge of town.
CHAPTER 31
Dynalya
Unlike its name, Argent Cove was a dreary place, or it may have been the dark storm clouds gathering overhead. It banished the late morning sun, casting the town in shadow. The crowded stone buildings looked dim, damp, and unwelcoming. The only color was the crop of trees on the rise above the beach. Dyna stood with Tarn by the wheel as he steered them into the wharf. His hair was stark white against the backdrop of gray skies. Olsson barked orders as the sails were lowered and the anchor splashed into the dark sea.
Dyna didn’t like the feel in the air. She rubbed the chill from her skin. It felt ominous, but that may have only been her nerves. If the others didn’t show up soon, she would have to find a way to enact her plan herself.
At Tarn’s command, the Raiders lowered a gangway to the dock below. A small group of Raiders gathered, which included Olsson and Sai-chuen.
Tarn took her arm when she moved to join. “Stay with the ship.”
Dyna frowned. “Why?”
“We won’t stay long.”
“Do you think I will run away again?” She sighed dramatically at his silence and rolled her eyes. “I came toyou, remember? I want to be here.”
Tarn tucked the red tresses fluttering across her face behind her ear, making her face warm by unexpected touch. It left a tingling current on her skin as his fingers trailed down her jaw. “Then wait for me.”
The focus of his gaze held her captive. Apparently, she wasn’t the only one above using seduction to get what they wanted. But he didn’t fool her. She had already learned her lesson when it came to him.
Tarn was always planning.
Well, so was she.
Glaring, Dyna moved away. “Hurry back. Another storm is coming.” But Tarn didn’t leave yet. His pale blue eyes studied her a moment longer. “What?”
He arched his scarred eyebrow. “I am waiting for you to tell me how to call on the Druid. I have long suspected you know him, Dyna.”
Her stomach clenched. “How would I know him?”
Tarn leaned down, bringing them eye to eye. “Don’t play coy with me.” He trailed a finger down her arm where her geas of an oak tree used to be, making goosebumps break out on her skin. “You have dealt with him before.”
By his cool tone, she was treading on thin ice.
Dyna crossed her arms and smirked playfully. “Oh, fine. I admit I know him.”
Tarn straightened and tucked his hands in his coat pockets. “Continue.”
