She turned sharply to Talon as another idea struck her. “Do you think it could be my father?”
Talon’s face paled as he weighed the possibility. She could see the gears working in his mind as he attempted to calculate the days since Levea’s destruction. How long would it take to move an entire city of people?
“It’s hard to say.”
“I’m going,” Raevina declared, and before anyone could argue, she shifted into a falcon and disappeared beyond the treetops. Talon cursed, shifted, and chased after her a second later, pumping his wings hard to keep up.
Moments and both were gone, leaving them all in utter silence.
Saoirse sighed. “Those two are going to cause nothing but problems if you have them as part of your inner court.”
Gavin gently rested his hands on Ellie’s shoulders. “Do we wait or—”
“No, they’ll find us,” The Demon said before closing the distance toward Ellie. Gavin’s face paled slightly at his approach, but Arianna stepped in front of him, separating the monster from her sister.
He paused, first in confusion, then in understanding. She swore The Demon’s face fell. He glanced over her shoulder to address Gavin. “Can you carry her?”
Instead of answering, Gavin awkwardly pulled Ellie onto his back. Her arms hung loosely over the male’s shoulders. Arianna vaguely wondered which male Ellie would have preferred to carry her.
“I’ve got her.”
“Can you run if we need to?”
Gavin nodded. “It won’t be an issue.”
“We’ll stay on course until Raevina and Talon return, then adjust from there.” They were still safe within the trees. The pair would likely be back within an hour and let them know if it was safe to cross the grassy plains on the other side. Arianna chewed her lip, praying her father wasn’t fighting for his life.
Chapter Sixteen
Arianna
Hours ticked by. Still, neither returned. The Fairy Folk grew more frenzied, their steps faster, their prodding nearly panic-driven. The scent of smoke grew heavier too, along with the buzz of magic floating on the breeze.
Arianna struggled to place the magic amid the acrid stench. If it were Brónach, that would likely mean a village had been attacked. If she scented Pádraigín, then they were in danger of discovery by Vairik. If she scented Móirín—
The only thing she could smell for sure was the horrid stench of the Dark Fae. It was definitely a horde. Which meant whoever was on the receiving end likely wouldn’t survive the gruesome encounter.
Arianna watched the Fairy Folk, worry gnawing through her. She kept glancing up between the trees, hoping to catch a glimpse of golden wings. If they’d discovered a village in need, Arianna knew neither Fae would be able to turn away. Were they in danger? Already fighting? She couldn’t fathom a world without Talon in it. She needed him.
Arianna’s heart pounded faster. What if he were lying in a field? What if they needed her help? She glanced toward Ellie. Her sister would be safe with Gavin and Saoirse. If she had to leave—
“We’re not far from the—” The Demon halted mid-sentence. His heart rate spiked, and seconds later she scented it, too.
Móirín.
That was Móirín’s scent. Móirín’s magic among the smoke and Dark Fae.
Arianna’s mouth went dry and her magic did a somersault beneath her skin. Gods above, theywerefighting.
Arianna sprinted down the steep hill, the others following in her wake. She had to see it for herself. Was her father alive? Were the warriors from Brónach already helping them, and if not, could they reach Nàdair and notify the High Lord before it was too late? Was she strong enough to create a distraction? Could civilians even run that far before collapsing?
A callused hand wrapped around her upper arm, yanking Arianna back right before she emerged from the trees. That nauseating current speared straight through her body, and Arianna whirled on him, baring her fangs, ready for a fight.
A small group screamed just to the south, and Arianna spun back toward the sound, ready to intervene.
Her eyes widened. A small crowd of Fae were running, tightly gripping the hands of family members. Others carried small children, their breaths labored and fear written plainly across their faces. She saw what they prayed would bring salvation: Nàdair’s redwoods in the distance, reaching for the heavens.
They’d never make it.
