“No delusions, friend. Right before I left, they sent a guard after him and I’m sure it wasn’t for coffee or tea, or for an afternoon snack. They usually only call him out for war.”
Medea cursed under her breath and turned to face Falcyn. “They’re planning to use him to lure you, aren’t they?”
Falcyn nodded. “So it’s a trap.”
“Urian?” She pulled the ring from her pinkie and held it out to him. “Go to Davyn and make sure he’s all right. Tell him I’ll be there with the dragonstone as soon as I can. Please keep him safe for me.”
Yeah, right. And leave Xyn alone? Was she insane?
No chance in hell.
Falcyn gave her a puzzled stare. “What are you doing?”
“I’m not about to let you walk into that nightmare without someone at your back. God or whatever you are, you’ll still need some support.”
“What about your people?”
“They’re not my son. But Maddor is yours.” Tears blurred her vision. “Forthat,we march to hell itself.” Urian suddenly realized just how deep Medea’s feelings were for Falcyn, and he honestly didn’t know how to feel at that moment.
Falcyn stepped around her. “Shadow, get Urian back to Sanctuary. We’ll—”
“Ah, no,” Urian said, interrupting him. “We stay together.” He wasn’t going any place until he knew Xyn was safe.
Shadow grimaced. “Oh yeah, ’cause a large, unfamiliar motley group sneaking through a castle wouldneverget noticed. By anyone. Or get reported. Sounds like a great suicide plan to me. So glad Varian volunteered me for this happy venture into torture and hell. Bastard fey rat that he is!”
Falcyn draped his arm over Medea. “You sure about this? Shadow’s right. Heading in there with us isn’t the sanest bet.”
She nodded.
“All right then, demon, off to see what trouble we can find.”
Shadow let out a fierce groan. “Why do I always end up with the crazy ones?”
Urian smirked. “Birds of a feather?”
Shadow didn’t appear the least bit amused. “Now I remember why I don’t like you.” He swept his gaze to Blaise and Falcyn. “Any of you, as far as that goes.”
With a deep breath, Shadow cracked his knuckles. “All right, kids. Last chance. Those who want a ticket to Sanity, raise your hand and we go out the portal to your home realm.”
He waited a full minute before he let out an exaggerated groan. “Okay then, suicide it is. Buckle up, buttercups. Keep your hands inside the cart at all times and try not to get your heads chopped off. Thank you for choosing to ride the Grand Stupidity today, and for dragging me into this when I’d much rather be at home, sorting my dirty underwear and watching the grass grow.”
“Oh, stop whining.” Blaise clapped him on the arm. “You love the excitement.”
“Yeah, you keep believing those lies, mandrake, and inhaling those fumes.” Shadow manifested a long rope.
Medea frowned as he stepped toward Brogan with it. “What are you doing?”
He paused to give her an irritated grimace. “Well, punkin, if we march in through the front doors, your enemies will descend on us like vultures on nummy roadkill. And while I do have more stupidity than the average man and a certain flair for theatrics, I can really do without a thorough gutting. Fact is, I’m doing my best to avoid the experience for the entirety of my exceptionally long life.” He knotted the rope around Brogan’s waist.
“You plan to take us through the Shadows.” Brogan’s voice was scarcely more than a whisper.
He nodded. “If we teleport in, Morgen will know instantly. Only safe way in or out is through my realm.”
Medea was even more confused as Shadow moved to loop and tie Brogan to Brandor. “And so I ask again … why the rope?”
“Keeps you from getting lost in the dark, princess.” Shadow moved next to Blaise.
Her heart stopped beating as she finally understood. “The thread between the worlds?”
