“We have plenty of time if we put up that barrier and hunker down behind it,” Roisin said. “All we have to do is bide our time. It’s been weeks now since the humans left Talaven. They’ll arrive on Aesir’s shores any day now.”
“Hmm, yes, but what can the humans possibly do that we can’t?” Fenella asked, thumping a finger against the table.
“We were hoping they had answers on how to win this,” Toryn said.
“Hoping for answers is not a good battle strategy.” Fenella looked at Kalen. “I think we should do the Baran sisters’ plan. If it works, this will all be over in a matter of hours.”
“And if it doesn’t, they could both die.”
“I would never let anything happen to my sister,” I said fiercely.
Kalen looked at me then—reallylooked at me—but I couldn’t read his expression. He seemed furious and weary and defeated and strong all at the same time. Backlit by Oberon’s gaudy wealth, the mist seeping from his skin made him seem like a phantom shadow who had stepped from the depths of a different world. But through the bond, I felt him soften.
“I trust you, Tessa,” he finally said. “If you insist on setting this trap, you best go get yourselves prepared.”
Thirty-Three
Fiadh MacCain
THOUSANDS OF YEARS AGO
Iwas in and out, but I could rarely hold on to consciousness for longer than an hour. So it was difficult for me to fully comprehend the moments that passed me by. The creature, Andromeda, had changed. There was a vicious edge to her that hadn’t been there before, not that she’d been innocent before, when she’d only been Life.
That I did understand. Her truths and memories were seeping into mine now. Sometimes, I found it impossible to tell where I ended and she began. It felt like she’d been a part of me since the dawn of time.
But she was no longer Life now. Well, she was, but Death was here, too. And Death had taken control of us both.
“Callisto.” Andromeda smiled at the new creature who knelt before her. “The essence of war of peace. Welcome to Halen Mon.”
“Andromeda,” the new creature murmured. Andromeda had chosen a tall, lanky fae with silver hair. She was female with bright eyes, though the brightness was quickly fading to crimson. This was the first she’d found a body for. She was hunting for others, but she was picky with the fae. They had to be powerful and strong. They needed to be fully grown, but still young and in their prime.
“Rise, Callisto. I have a job for you.” Andromeda cleared her throat. Her one mistake she’d yet to fix. The wolf beasts had somehow multiplied. They were raging across the lands, feasting on human blood and flesh. It turned out they could not survive without it. Fires followed wherever they went. “You are the essence of war, and I need you to find a way to control the beasts. They are wild and ruinous. We can’t have that. Control them, and then use them as your army when the time comes.”
Callisto bowed. “Of course. So long as you will allow me to release my war across these lands.”
“When the time is right,” Andromeda said, frowning. The Life side of her was not in control, but she tempered Death’s worst instincts. She had a plan, and it would only work if they kept their heads. “We are not here to cause utter destruction. In fact, we want the opposite of that. Do not forget your Peace.”
“You made me this way,” Callisto said, narrowing her eyes. “You made it so War has a greater edge, greater control.”
“Peace alone would not allow us to do what needs to be done.”
* * *
My sight wavered in and out, and things went dark once more. Now that I’d fully lost myself, the panic had subsided. I was curious more than anything else. What were these creatures up to? It had something to do with humankind and war, but the details were still hazy.
A long time passed with nothing but floating darkness. When I finally clawed my way back, there were four of them now besides the leader—besides me. Orion, Callisto, Perseus, and Sirius. I didn’t need her to say their names aloud for me to know them. They echoed through my mind like distant shouts.
They sat around a gleaming oak table inside a Great Hall. Fae banners hung along the wall. They were familiar to me, drenched in shades of orange, crimson, and gold. A one-eyed dragon threaded across them. This place I knew. I’d been here before. It was the home of the King of Aesir, Aodhan Grenat.
What were they doing here? Why was the king sitting proudly at the head of the table, smiling and laughing while his great red beard danced?
“You make a strong case for your war against the humans,” King Aodhan said with a booming voice, “but why should I join my army with your slew of murderous beasts? It would be like taking my own knife and stabbing myself in the back with it.”
Andromeda watched the king like a hawk. She was not smiling or laughing. “The humans are your enemies. They will eventually destroy you.”
The king’s smile dropped. Leaning forward, he hooked her gaze with his. His ruddy face reddened. “You are not from this world, so you do not know us and our people. We are stronger than humans. Faster. Lighter on our feet. When we’re gashed with swords, we heal. They do not. To suggest they can tear us down is to insult me and my kingdom. For that, I should have you hanged.”
Perseus reached for his sword. Orion shoved back his chair and gripped the sides of the table until the wood creaked. But the king remained sitting, staring into Andromeda’s eyes.
