Kane’s head ached as he entered the tent. Ignoring the book that was laid next to his bed, he headed for the table, and whispered a quick intonation. A bottle uncorked accompanied by a large glass appeared. He studied the label, not a vintage that he was familiar with but still it would do. Kane filled the glass to its brim and downed the contents in seconds.
Collecting the book the girl had given him and the grimoire hidden beneath the bottom of this mattress, Kane sat on the floor and retrieved the vial from his pocket. He carefully measured a few drops onto the book’s cover. Placing the book in front of him, Kane lifted the grimoire and flicked through the pages until he found the spell required. With the Tracker firmly fixed in his thoughts, Kane spoke the words aloud and waited. The blood seeped slowly into the cover and disappeared. A sudden gust of wind blew through the tent. The breeze turning through the pages of the book until it found the one it sought. The air fell silent.
He smiled, as the vibrant red liquid trickled from the top of the page and stained a path. It slowly travelled across the paper until it had reached its destination. Satisfied, Kane closed the cover and placed the vial into his jacket pocket, the grimoire hidden safely in his trunk.
Returning to the table, Kane poured himself another glass of wine, and studied the location to which the blood had travelled. When the village and road names had been successfully imprinted to his mind, he closed the book and placed it with the vial. Moving to the doorway, Kane pulled the fabric back and called for Rivik to join him.
Rivik did not keep him waiting long, Barrock as he had requested was also in tow.
“May we enter, Commander?” Rivik asked.
“Yes.”
The two Fallen moved quickly inside, Barrock sniffing the air. “I smell blood.”
“Magic performed to locate the Tracker and the girl,” Kane said.
“What are your orders, Commander?” Barrock asked.
“We leave camp tomorrow as soon as the light fades. I want you to ensure the others are prepared. It would be prudent for you to regenerate early ahead of the journey. We shall be travelling quite some distance, North, I believe.”
Barrock nodded and retreated from the tent.
Rivik’s cold amber eyes studied him closely. “And what is it you need from me?”
Kane sighed and seated himself on the mattress. “The truth, Rivik.”
“I do not understand, Commander.”
“What do you know of the Nyrvallia?”
“I know very little.”
“Don’t lie to me, your body has already betrayed you. I know that you sensed something.”
Rivik growled. “You asked for me to say nothing, Commander. I would suggest that we both continue to follow that advice.”
“Why? What is it that you fear?”
“It is not for my benefit, Commander but for yours. I fear nothing.”
“Neither do I,” Kane snapped.
“Then your transition will be so much easier. Now, if there is nothing further you need of me, I shall join the others and regenerate.”
Kane glared. “You will tell me what I want to know.”
“Soon,” Rivik promised and he strode out of the tent.
Simmering, Kane considered whether to follow Rivik and punish him in front of the others for such insolence. Yet there was something in the Fallen’s words that made him uneasy. What that was he could not put his finger on.
Instead Kane downed the last of the wine and undressed. It had been a long and arduous day. He climbed beneath the covers and recited a grounding spell, having no desire to be summoned again to her chamber.
Firmly pushing all thoughts of her, the creature, his reaction to the potion and Rivik’s avoidance to divulge what he knew of the Nyrvallia from his mind, Kane closed his eyes. The turbulence that raged slowly began to calm. Only when Kane sensed a heavy weight anchor itself to his limbs did he give in to sleep.
Chapter Seventeen
Achavanich, Scottish Highlands
Finn raised his head groggily from the pillow and groaned loudly. The mantra that had hummed persistently in his ears subsided as he finally succumbed to her will. With a grunt, he pushed back the covers and swung his legs out of bed.
“You know, I could have summoned the dead much quicker,” Mercadia complained.
Ignoring her sarcasm, Finn reached for his clothing and dressed. He sensed her irritation rising the longer he held his silence and hid a smile. Perhaps it was childish of him but better that than to engage in a futile exchange of insults.
“Do you know what the hour is?” she demanded.
Finn heaved a sigh; in all truth, he didn’t care what the hour was. Shifting his eyes to the window, he estimated it, by the sun’s position, to be late afternoon. Perhaps it was a little longer than he had initially intended to sleep, but not too surprising given that he had been restless and awake all night waiting for Rowan and Bessie to return.
“When I ask you a question, I do expect a response. The matter is serious.”
“I am fully aware of that fact, Mercadia.” Finn ran a hand through his hair. “It may have slightly escaped your attention that sleep is a necessity, especially if I am to complete the quest that you sent me on.” He could have kicked himself for biting back at her.
“Watch your tone, Finn. I am an Elder, which I’m sure hasn’t escaped your attention either. As for your quest, it is well past midday, and I see nothing other than you laid in your bed.”
Before he could respond, a less intrusive connection gently pressed for his attention. With a shrug of his shoulders, Finn allowed the entry and waited for Bessie to speak.
“Good afternoon, Mercadia. I trust you are well?”
“This discussion was private, Bessantia.”
“Acknowledged, but you have invaded my home and woken my guest.”
“With good reason. I see nothing of his or your progress.”
Bessie’s voice remained steady. “Not entirely true, and we did agree that you would leave this to me.”
“We agreed that you would prepare the girl and send her to our world without delay.”
“Which is what I am doing. However, it would be remiss of me not to prepare Finn too, especially given his abilities. You shared nothing of his background.”
“In truth, I was not aware of how deep his power ran, nor of its source. Admittedly I had sensed there was something. It briefly revealed itself within the Lemure.”
“Yet you kept this information to yourself,” Bessie said.
Mercadia sighed. “My power was drained. I could not be sure at the time, that what I had glimpsed truly existed.”
Finn rubbed the ache in his forehead. “Would either of you care to enlighten me?”
Mercadia changed the subject. “Has there been any progress made on the location of the amulet?”
“Not as yet. There have been other matters to attend to.”
“We do not have the luxury of time, Bessantia. Why has this not begun?”
“You know very well that certain events must be done in the correct order, and according to the prophecy. There is little chance of Rowan finding the amulet unless she is fully prepared.”
Mercadia was unable to hide the desperation in her voice. “You do understand that our situation is dire? The Master’s forces are relentless. Elios is exhausted. I must take over the protection of the Selensia to allow him to regenerate, or we risk losing him. I need to ensure that all is in hand. The girl cannot travel to our world unless she possesses the amulet.”
“I do understand, but Rowan must be prepared for what is to come. You cannot throw her straight into a war, or you will repeat the mistakes of the past.”
“We may not have a choice.” The pressure suddenly eased as Mercadia abandoned her connection.
Bessie sighed. “I’m sorry to have to admit this, but she is right. We don’t have much time.”
Finn nodded and glanced to the window. Although there was no sense of Kane and the
Fallen close by, he knew it would not take long.
Bessie acknowledged his thoughts. “By my calculations, we may have a day or two before you must leave. I suggest what time remains we spend it within the Meridian. I’ll go wake Rowan and meet you downstairs.”
“Are you going to explain what it is that you and Mercadia know?”
“In time.” She released her connection before he could respond.
Finn cursed under his breath and strode to the bathroom. His thoughts steered to the recent exchange between the two women, and the calm but firm way Bessie had dealt with Mercadia. It was clear they knew each other well. But from when? And what of this power I have inherited? What did Mercadia see within the Lemure?
Determined to find out, Finn narrowly avoided colliding into Rowan, standing on the other side of the door.
“You really should lock it behind you. I almost walked in,” she said.
Although there was humour in her eyes, her face was pale and strained. Pushing all thoughts of Bessie and Mercadia’s conversation to the back of his mind, Finn stroked a thumb lightly across her cheek. “Sorry, I wasn’t thinking.” He studied her face. “You look exhausted. Did you not sleep at all?”
Rowan shook her head. “It was just a bad dream. Nothing for you to worry about.”
Finn wasn’t convinced, her tone and expression enough to cause him concern. “Do you want to talk about it?”
“I’d rather just forget about it.” She hopped from side to side and signalled towards the bathroom door. “Do you mind if I go? I’m desperate.”
He hid his hurt and stepped aside. “Of course, sorry.”
Rowan gave him a brief smile and sprang past him. The door closed firmly behind her, the lock sliding into place. Reluctantly Finn made his way downstairs and to the kitchen, unable to ignore the unsteady swirl of his gut.
Bessie caught sight of his expression and ushered him swiftly to the table. “What is it?”
“It’s Rowan. She didn’t sleep well. She told me it was a bad dream and nothing for me to worry about.”
“But your instincts tell you otherwise?” Bessie asked.
“The pain on her face tells me otherwise.” Finn’s hands repeatedly clenched at his side. “I don’t know, there’s something about it that feels wrong.”
Bessie pressed a finger briefly to her lips. “We’ll discuss this later. Eat something, you’ll need your energy.”
Finn nodded and reached for the platter of sandwiches she had made, stacking his plate high. Rowan entered the room, looking suspiciously brighter than he had seen her moments earlier. He sensed she was hiding her emotions as she took a seat next to him and helped herself to the large jug of fruit juice.
She poured them two glasses and set one down in front of him. “So, what’s the plan?”
Finn caught the flicker of concern in the older woman’s eyes. “We’ll be spending the rest of the day together at the Meridian.”
Rowan reached for a sandwich. “Are we allowed? I thought the Meridian required us to be integrated separately?”
“Yes, that’s true, but unfortunately we are running out of time, and there is the small matter of your amulet.”
“The amulet…? Is this the one you mentioned before? The one I need to travel?”
“Yes, my dear. It is important that… what on earth is going on?”
All three stared as Biscuit ran into the kitchen, barking repeatedly.
Finn sensed the older woman bristle. “She’s done what? And where is she now?”
The little dog sat back on his haunches and growled.
“Well, that course of action won’t be necessary, although I do understand your sentiments. You leave this to me.”
Bessie hurried from the kitchen.
Rowan shook her head. “I wonder what that was all about? Are you okay, Biscuit?”
He wagged his tail in response.
“Are you hungry?” Rowan tossed him a sandwich.
Finn studied the little dog. “I’m not quite sure he eats that.”
The sandwich was obliterated in seconds. Biscuit licked his lips noisily.
“Or perhaps he does,” Finn corrected.
Rowan smiled and dropped another to the floor. Biscuit nuzzled her hand. “I hope she’s okay.”
“Who? Bessie?”
“Yes, whatever it was she didn’t look happy.”
“I’m sure she’ll sort it. She doesn’t strike me as the sort of woman to be messed with,” Finn said.
“She’s amazing, and…” Rowan hesitated for a moment.
“Go on?”
“Well… it’s just that I know she’s from your world. She doesn’t belong here.”
“Did she tell you that?”
“No, Charles did.”
Finn felt a stir of jealousy. “Oh? And what else did Charles say?”
Rowan bit her lip and fidgeted in her seat. “Actually, it was very little. He came to make sure I was alright, after the dream.”
“And did you tell Charles about the dream?”
She looked confused. “Yes, why wouldn’t I?”
“I thought it would be me that you would talk to.”
Rowan met his gaze. “Are you mad at me?”
“No,” he said a little too quickly.
“Why don’t you just admit it?”
“Admit what? I’m not mad with you,” and he wasn’t really although he could not say the same for Charles.
“Why don’t I believe you?” she asked.
Finn tilted her face to his. “I’m disappointed that you didn’t come to me first, not angry.”
Rowan shook her head. “I’m sorry, Finn. I don’t want to hurt you but you have to know that Charles is my guide. He has always helped me to make sense of things since I was a child and so you cannot just expect me not to automatically reach out to him first.”
Finn released a sigh. “All I need for you to understand is that I am here now to protect you. I have to know when something is wrong.”
She pressed a kiss against his cheek. “I do understand that. Please don’t feel that I am deliberately shutting you out.”
Finn nodded, although in truth that was exactly how he felt.
Bessie returned to the kitchen and paused in the doorway, her thoughts immediately connected to his own. “Is something wrong?” she asked silently.
“No,” he responded.
“Well, do you want to tell your face that? It doesn’t seem to agree with you.” Bessie released the connection and approached the table.
“Is everything alright?” Rowan asked.
“Yes, dear, it’s just old Lady McGinty being a nuisance as usual.” She turned towards Biscuit. “It’s all taken care of. There will be no more of her nonsense, at least not for today.”
“Whose old Lady McGinty?” Rowan asked.
“My own personal stalker from the village,” Bessie replied.
Finn stood abruptly. “Can we go now? I’m ready.”
Bessie arched a brow. “I see, and you, my dear?”
Rowan pushed her chair back and gave him a pointed look. “We both are.”
“Excellent, then let’s go. Biscuit, you remain here, please. Let Mortimus know we’ll be back for supper.”
“Before we go, you mentioned the amulet?”
“Your talisman, dear.”
“What does it do?” Rowan asked.
“I do not know the full extent of its power for it has never belonged to me,” Bessie said.
“Then how is it you know of the amulet?” Finn asked.
“The Council of Elders studied the ancient texts relating to the prophecy. There is an image of the amulet. They believe it to be a conduit that will enable Rowan to travel to our world.”
“Do you know where it is?” Rowan asked.
“No, dear. The amulet has always belonged to you therefore it is only you that can find it.”
“I’ve no idea where to begin.”
“Let’s talk about thi
s tonight. Are you both ready?” Bessie said.
Finn offered no resistance as Rowan dragged him outside into the sunshine. Releasing her hand from his grip, she fell in step beside him, neither of them speaking as they followed Bessie towards the Meridian. Occasionally Finn would catch her eye and note the amused smile that tugged at her lips.
Finally he broke the silence. “I’m sorry. I’m an idiot.”
She gave him a gentle nudge in the ribs. “Yes, you are, but if it helps any, you’re my idiot.”
He shot her a wounded look. “Gee thanks.”
“What? You were hoping I would disagree with you?”
“Yes, although I admit I did deserve it.”
Bessie chuckled ahead of them. “Now that’s sorted, could you move a little quicker, we don’t have much time.”
The Meridian’s energy pulsed in the distance, as they turned off the main road and into the field. Although Finn had witnessed it before, he could not help but gape at how easily the older woman leapt over the gate.
Bessie tossed her long silver hair over her shoulder. “I still got it.” Laughing, she continued towards the hedging.
Finn wiped the beads of perspiration from his face. “I wish I knew how she did that so effortlessly.”
“I only hope to have half her energy when I am her age,” Rowan said.
Climbing onto the top bar, Finn jumped over and offered his arms out to her. Rowan brushed her lips against his before he lowered her gently to the ground. “Thank you.”
He winked. “Glad to be of service.”
“Feeling better?” she teased.
Finn kissed her softly. “What do you think?” he asked.
Rowan’s voice trembled. “I think we should go before we lose Bessie.”
“I suppose we should.”
Neither moved. The energy shifted and weaved around them. “You feel that?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
Their mouths met again, arms locked tightly around each other. The kiss deepened and suddenly spiralled out of control. Somewhere at the back of Finn’s mind a warning signalled. With great difficulty, he mustered the strength to pull away from her.
The Veils of Valoria Page 20
