She sighed. “I don’t know what to do with myself. In all my years, I’ve never felt anything remotely close to the way I feel about Brick. Now he’s gone with no way of returning.”
I squeezed her shoulder and took her hand. “I’m sure he misses you just as much as you miss him.”
Soleil looked away and then turned back to me. A tear clung to her eyelash. “You’re here to bring me home, aren’t you?”
“I am. I was hoping you could help me with Victoria.”
“What do you mean?”
“Have you heard of a wolf essence stone?”
She shook her head, her eyes wide. “No, but I know about other essence stones, and they can be deadly in the wrong hands.”
“Long story short is that many believe it can reverse the curse of the moon. Many have gone after it, never to return.”
Soleil’s eyes widened. “And Victoria?”
“She has ‘the fever’ all the others have had—the unquenching thirst to find it. A wild look in her eyes. Jittery at times. She tries to hide it, but I can see past her efforts. And since you know more about essence than anyone I know, I thought you might be able to help.”
She scrambled to her feet. “I’ll learn what I can about it. Tell me everything you know.”
I rose and explained what little I knew.
“It definitely sounds dangerous. I’ve got to help her.”
Relief washed through me. “I can’t thank you enough.”
“I’d do anything for you guys—you know that. Let’s head back to Moonhaven. I’m a little low on essence, though.” She glanced at Johan. “Even if I borrow some from you two, I don’t have enough to travel with both of you.”
“Don’t worry about me,” Johan said. “I’m going to stick around and find a place to leave a rune. My Gessilyn needs to come here for some R-and-R after all the training she’s been through. I’ll catch up with you two later.”
I turned to him. “I can’t thank you enough, either.”
“Don’t mention it. Just give me a call if you need anything.”
I nodded, then turned to Soleil. “Take what you need.” I closed my eyes. A swooshing sound behind her meant her wings had sprouted out, and the breeze confirmed it. My mouth opened on its own, and I felt a tugging sensation as Soleil drank from my essence. The silky feeling drew from deep within, up through my throat, and out my mouth.
Almost as soon as it had started, it was over. My essence snapped back into my mouth. I stumbled back and opened my eyes, just in time to see her enormous wings retract. She wiped her mouth and met my gaze, her eyes glowing an electric green.
“Did you get enough?” I asked.
She nodded and flipped her blonde hair behind her shoulders. “Take my hands and close your eyes again.”
I glanced around to say goodbye to Johan, but he was already out of sight, in search of a mirror to leave a rune. “Sure you don’t need more essence?”
Soleil nodded and grabbed my hand. “Close your eyes.”
I did, and another breeze whipped around us. A dizzying sensation ran through me.
“You can open them.”
My head reeled. I took a deep breath and then opened my eyes. We were in the living room at Moonhaven. Soleil sat on the recliner and took a deep breath.
“Do you need more essence?” I asked.
She shook her head.
“Something to eat?”
“I’m fine.”
Laura ran in, her eyes wide. “What just happened?”
“We just flew in from Egypt,” Soleil said. “And boy, are my arms tired.”
Victoria’s mom gave us a double-take.
“We really did just come from Egypt,” I said.
“But it’s not my arms that are tired.” Soleil closed her eyes.
“Do you know where Victoria is?” Laura asked.
“At the vampire castle.” I sat on a couch, trying to adjust to being home. My mind was swirling—not that it was any surprise after traveling to Egypt via runes and then back to the Pacific Northwest with a valkyrie.
Laura shook her head. “Someone just called and said she was seen in Iceland.”
I gave her a double-take. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. She was traveling with a young royal vampire.”
Soleil’s eyes flew open. “We’d better find out what we can about that stone.”
Chapter 12
Victoria
Hale and I stepped outside into the fresh Icelandic air. I tightened my hoodie around me and breathed in the fresh scent. A breeze brought the salty smell of ocean air with it. Woods stretched out before us as far as I could see.
“I didn’t expect so much woodland here,” I said.
“It wasn’t always this way,” Hale assured me. “There’s been a lot of crazy magic recently, and some of the oldest enchanted forests have been restored from thousands of years ago.”
“You’ll have to tell me about that some day.” Something within me vibrated. “The stone is close. I can feel it.”
Hale turned to me, her eyes wide. “You can?”
I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. “It’s been calling to me. I can’t explain it. Everyone else says I have ‘the fever,’ but it’s the other way around. The stone wants me. I have no other choice but to find it.”
“You make it sound alive.”
“Maybe it is.”
Her eyes widened. “Well, let’s find that thing. You can feel it—where is it?”
“I wish I knew. I can just tell that it’s close.”
“What do we do now? Follow your senses?”
I closed my eyes and focused on the inner vibrations. They didn’t give me any sense of direction. I opened my eyes. “Sorry. I’m not going to be of any use. We’re going to need a locator spell.”
“Why are you looking at me like that? I’m no witch.”
I laughed. “Of course not. Do you know any around here?”
“Not personally. My parents could help with that, but they’re in the middle of a mission somewhere in Asia. I’m not to disturb them unless it’s life or death. I don’t want to bother the queen. Let me think…” She tapped her chin.
“I’ll see if anyone from Gessilyn’s coven can help.”
“Gessilyn?”
“Yeah.” I pulled out my phone.
“You know the new high witch?” Hale exclaimed.
“She’s friends with Toby.” I found her number and called. It went to voicemail.
“Not there?” Hale asked.
“I’m going to try one of her sisters.” I called Roska.
“Hi, Victoria,” she answered. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah. I just need a locator spell. I don’t suppose you have a few minutes to run one?”
“Well, I would but I’m in Iceland with my cousin who’s helping me gather ingredients for one of Gessilyn’s spells.”
“I’m in Iceland!”
“Wait, what?” she exclaimed. “Where?”
“I just came out of a dragon tunnel.”
“What’s going on?” Hale asked.
I held up a finger at Hale and asked Roska, “Can you help us?”
“Who are you searching for?” she asked. “Do you have something that belongs to them?”
My heart sank. “I’m looking for an item. I don’t have anything that goes with it.”
“What is it? I might be able to help, anyway.”
“The wolf essence stone.”
She swore.
“What?” I exclaimed.
Roska took a deep breath. “I’ve heard that thing is dangerous.”
“And I’ve heard witches fly around on brooms, cackling like lunatics.”
Hale gave me a funny look.
“I’ve got ten minutes, and I’m not too far away,” Roska said. “Head east. I’ll meet you by a small village of cottages.”
“Thank you!” I ended the call, grabbed Hale’s hand, and ran east.
“What’s going on?”
“Gessilyn’s sister is going to run a locator spell for us.”
As we ran, everything passed by in a blur. A few minutes later, a cute little village came into view.
Roska appeared around a corner. Her blonde curls bounced on her shoulder as she ran toward us. “Let’s hurry.”
I made quick introductions.
Roska held out a map. “I’m going to have to use some of your blood. That’s the only thing I can think of. You’re wolf, it’s a wolf stone. If this doesn’t work, I’m not sure what to tell you.”
“I appreciate you trying.”
We all sat where we were, and Roska spread out the map. “Your hand.”
I extended my left hand toward her. She took it, pulled out a knife, and cut into my flesh. It stung, and I bit my tongue to distract myself from the pain.
Hale bit her wrist and held it in front of me. “Drink it.”
I gave her a double-take, but drank it anyway. My cut healed immediately.
“We need to hold hands.” Roska held her hands out toward us.
Hale and I both grabbed one and held onto each other’s. Roska looked up to the sky and spoke in a foreign language, her voice rising with each word she spoke. The breeze picked up speed, whipping our hair into our faces. My blood swirled around on the map, moving around erratically.
Disappointment washed through me. If the spell didn’t work, I had dragged Hale all the way to Iceland for nothing.
The trail of blood moved around fast and then slow, then fast again.
“What’s going on?” Hale asked.
“Shh,” Roska warned.
The blood slowed again, this time moving in a circular pattern. It went around the edge of the map, slowly inching toward the middle. It stopped, pooling near the western-most point of Iceland.
“Is that where it is?” Excitement coursed through me, but no bones popped. I’d worn out my poor wolf running from Washington to Iceland. I pulled out my phone and snapped a picture of the map.
“Something is.” Roska glanced at her watch. “With a spell like this, I can’t guarantee what we’ve located, but I hope it’s what you’re looking for. Sorry, but I have to get back.”
“Thanks for doing this.” I gave her a hug.
“If you need any more help, I’ll get you in touch with a local witch I know. I’m going to be pretty busy getting Gessilyn out of another jam.”
“The high witch is in trouble?” Hale asked.
Roska rose and shook off the map. “She’s learning a bunch of ancient spells from a book—spells that’ve only ever been used by the few other previous high witches—more goes wrong than right the first few tries. Good luck, you guys.”
“Thanks, Roska.”
She gave a quick wave and ran off.
“Do you know the area where the spell said the stone is?” I asked.
“There are some shops over that way. Maybe the stone’s there.”
“For sale?” I exclaimed.
She shrugged. “Will you know it when you see it?”
That was a good question, but with all the energy racing through me, I was pretty sure I’d know it when I saw it. I nodded. “Let’s go.”
Hale studied the map again. “Okay. Are you up for another run?”
If it meant finding the stone, I’d run through fire if I had to. “You’d better believe it.”
We ran through the woods and came out next to a small neighborhood. We darted down the streets and came to a small shopping area just on the other side. I pulled out the picture of the map again, but it didn’t show any particular store.
“Any ideas?” she asked. “Do you feel anything?”
My insides were still vibrating, but that was it. “Nothing specific.”
She glanced around. “Well, my parents are friends with one of the shop owners. We can go there—it’s a start, at least.”
It was more than I had. “Sounds good to me.”
I followed her to a building on the end. We went inside. The entire place was filled with tiny trinkets. It smelled like incense.
“Frey!” Hale ran over to the counter and hugged a redheaded guy about our age.
He returned the embrace. “Hale! What a surprise. What brings you here?”
“My friend and I are in search of something.”
Frey extended his arms and panned them around the shop. “I happen to have plenty of things. Anything in particular?”
“Have you heard of a wolf essence stone?” Hale asked.
His face paled. “How do you know about that?” He sniffed the air. “You’re a werewolf, aren’t you?”
I nodded and backed up toward the door.
“She’s a friend,” Hale reminded him. “What do you know about the stone?”
His face scrunched. “I’ve made it my business not to know.”
Hale narrowed her eyes. “But you know something.”
Frey nodded. “I do, but then you’ll never bring it up again. Promise me.”
“I swear. What do you know?”
“Hold on.” He disappeared through a door.
Hale turned to me. “He’s not usually so jumpy.”
“The stone seems to affect people differently.”
Frey returned carrying a brownish, torn paper with ragged edges.
“What’s that?” I asked. It certainly wasn’t a stone.
“Come closer.” Frey waved us over.
I rushed through the shop. Hale and I both waited.
Frey held up the paper. “This is half a map. Find the other half, and it’ll show you where the stone is.”
My heart sank. “You don’t know where the rest of it is?”
“Like I said, I’ve made it my business not to know.”
“Why?” Hale asked.
I stared at the back of the map, unable to see anything. “Can I?”
He pulled it closer to himself and looked at Hale. “The only reason I’m doing this is because of you.”
My heart raced.
“I appreciate it,” she said.
He nodded and handed me the delicate map.
“Why don’t you want to know more?” Hale asked again.
“The stories I’ve heard about the stone are enough for me. It’s dangerous—I trust you’ll be careful.”
“Of course.”
I flipped the map every which way. “Does the other half of the map hold the location?”
“Nobody knows which side does.” Frey said.
I gave him a double-take.
“It won’t appear until the two halves are together.”
“There’s no other way?” I asked.
Frey’s eyes narrowed. “You’ve made it further than any other werewolf has in centuries. I wouldn’t complain.”
“I wasn’t—”
“My parents are going to be back soon and now I need to rid the shop of the werewolf smell. Just take the map and go.”
“Your parents won’t care?” Hale asked.
Frey lowered his voice. “They don’t even know I’ve had it all these years. It was payment from a traveler about a century and a half ago.”
I carefully folded the half-map. “You don’t have any idea how we find the rest of it?”
“Not a clue. You need to leave.” He turned to Hale. “You can come back any time.”
“Thanks again, Frey.”
I tucked the delicate paper into a pocket. “Yeah, thanks.”
Frey waved us toward the door and lit more incense. I opened the door and stepped out into the fresh air. My side warmed where the map rested in my pocket.
“What now?” Hale asked.
“I have no idea. The other half could be anywhere in the world.”
We walked away slowly, both deep in thought.
Chapter 13
Toby
Soleil and I entered the Faeble. Loud music and conversation greeted us. As we headed for the bar, a party of mesmers roared with laughter. Quinn was mopping u
p a greenish liquid from under the table.
“Never a dull moment here,” Soleil noted.
“That’s what makes it the Faeble.” We rounded the corner to find Tap busily mixing drinks behind the counter.
“You found Soleil,” he said without glancing up.
“It wasn’t easy, but Johan helped me get to Egypt.”
Tap gave me a double-take.
“Do you have a minute?” I asked.
He piled a dozen glasses filled with multi-colored drinks onto a tray. “Do I look like I have a minute?”
“It’s important.” Soleil took a seat on a stool.
“It always is,” Tap muttered. “Give me a few minutes.”
“We appreciate it.” I sat next to Soleil. “You think he knows anything?”
“The little former king always knows more than he lets on. Always.”
I rested my elbow on the bar. “I’m curious what he knows about this.”
“Considering it’s an essence stone, I doubt we’re going to like it.”
“Try to be positive.”
“Okay, I’m positive we aren’t going to like it.”
I scowled at her.
“You forget I’ve been alive too long and seen too much to be optimistic about these things.”
“Well, I’m going to have to stay positive enough for the both of us, then.”
“Good luck with that.” She sighed, rested her chin on her palm, and stared off into space.
“I wish I could bring back Brick.”
“You and me both.”
We sat quietly. Another roar of laughter sounded in the direction of the mesmers, followed by the sound of glass breaking. Tap yelled something in a foreign language.
A few minutes later, he returned carrying a tray full of glass shards and muttering under his breath.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
“Those mesmers are going to find themselves banned from my bar if they aren’t careful.” He dumped the glass into the garbage and rinsed off the tray. “What can I help you two with?”
I leaned over the bar. “Tell me everything you know about the wolf essence stone.”
He dropped the tray. It rattled around in the sink. “I thought I told you two to drop it.”
Soleil leaned closer to him. “Victoria’s in Iceland, hot on its tail.”
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