Lachlan’s eyes blaze, the brilliant green catching the sun. “So ye think he’s gone, and that’s why there are omens and the magic is fading?”
“I don’t know. I mean, it could be a possibility. I’m not saying the omens aren’t a sign of war—it could be both—but I’m saying magic might be gone because he is.”
“We need to tell the others, and now.” He scoops me up and launches us into the sky.
His wings beat fiercely, and my heart drops into my stomach at our rapid ascent. My arms cling to him in a death grip as the ground drops away.
Lachlan chuckles at my terrified expression, and I glare daggers at him.
“Some warning would have been nice,” I say loudly over the wind.
“Oh, come on, Key, don’t tell me ye dinna want to fly.”
The land is majestic from this high up, and I do actually get a thrill out of the flight. My hair tears free from my braid, and the waving mass of golden brown hair behind me reminds me of flying in the saddle on Sleipnir.
My grin stretches across my face, and Lachlan whispers into my ear, “There’s my girl.”
I snuggle further into his arms, enjoying the short flight back to the castle. Our rapid descent has my stomach falling again, but only from the motion, not from fear. It’s exhilarating, a pure adrenaline rush. We race up the steps and into the council room ahead of the others.
My feet wear a path in the woven rug in front of the red marble fireplace in our newly appointed council chambers. Another one of my mom’s portraits hangs above the mantle. Her eyes seemingly follow my every step.
The power wasn’t fading because the heir wasn’t here; it was fading because Odessa must’ve trapped Odin somewhere. The door creaks open, halting my steps, but I still pull at my fingers. Our friends waltz in, all looking slightly harassed by Lachlan as he herds them inside.
“Easy, man, we’re all here,” Tane grumbles as they sprawl onto the chairs and couches surrounding the room.
Mina’s eyes miss nothing as she studies my discomfort. “What’s going on?”
Lachlan comes to my side, surveying them all, as he folds his arms across his leather-clad chest. “Lena had a terrifying thought.”
All eyes flick to me as I take a steadying breath. “I think Odessa and, probably, Julius have something to do with the magic fading. They possibly trapped Odin somewhere.”
There’s a collective gasp, and Mathilda murmurs, “Merciful gods.”
My heart beats loudly in my ears. “Think about it, guys. She murdered my parents to keep me from coming here, which, thanks to Lach, that plan was thwarted.” I gesture towards him, and he grins. “She wanted me only as a figurehead to puppeteer until my powers manifested, and then they decided killing me was easier. And she was supposedly the last and only person to see Odin in this realm? Really?”
Evander shakes his head from side to side. “There’s no way,” he looks around at the group, “this is just a ploy to keep her in power.” He looks from me to Lachlan, whose face is set in a mask of frozen fury. “You guys really think it goes much deeper than that?”
Lachlan and I share a look, and I shift on my feet. “Yes. If Odin can send omens of war or blessings but can’t come here himself to set the realm straight when we’re obviously very divided, it might be because he can’t.”
Mathilda shudders. “It would also explain the power fading. Lena’s here, and the magic isn’t restoring.”
Tane’s eyes don’t shift around the room. He keeps them locked onto the fireplace before us.
Mina wrings her hands in her lap. “This is really bad, isn’t it?”
I nod. “We need to prepare for the worst and fill in the recruits we have here now, including each one who comes from Elowen’s efforts.”
“No,” Tane replies, breaking out of his trance. “It could spark an entire wave of panic if people begin to realize we won’t have Odin fighting on our side. We need to keep this to ourselves.”
Lachlan nods. “I agree. The only people who should know are in this room. We need to keep preparing for war, regardless.”
I glance at Evander, Mathilda, and Mina. “And what do you guys think?”
They all share a look before Mina pipes up. “You’re giving us a vote?”
My nose scrunches up at her response. “Of course I am, everyone should have a voice.”
Mathilda’s eyes swim with an emotion I can’t quite place. “I say we keep quiet about it until we know for sure.” Mina and Evander nod in agreement.
