lackey. Not even yours, bond mate .”
Aislinn winced at the sarcasm. “Have it your way. Just try not to get sucked through a vortex into some other world.”
She laid a hand on the door and sent magic spinning outward until she felt Gwydion and Fionn. Woven into a complex pattern, their magic was clean. The other power made her suck in a breath. It was so murky and dark, she couldn’t recognize it, but it didn’t feel like the dark gods or the Old Ones. For a moment, her resolve faltered. What am I walking into? And what if Rune gets hurt…?
“Stop thinking.”
“Christ. You sound like Yoda.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment. I loved Star Wars . Marta had me watch it with her on DVD.”
“Gawk! Just stay out of my fucking head. I have enough to worry about without you picking up some stray thought and overreacting.”
She pulled her magic close. No point in protecting a room she was about to leave. The ward was easier to reassemble with just her and the wolf at its center. She drew in a deep breath, then another, and blew out any uncertainties standing in her way. The centering exercise had always worked for her. It muted any lingering reservations and helped her focus on staying strong.
No time like the present. Aislinn turned the knob as silently as she could and let herself into the carpeted hallway. The noise level doubled as soon as she opened the door. It sounded like she was underneath a bowling alley. Because she needed her hands to work magic, she wound a few tendrils of her warding in front of her ears to protect them. The staircase leading to the attic was directly across from the bedroom door. Light flashed from the stairwell. Rune’s warmth hugged her side. Even though he was being subtle about it, she felt him in her mind.
For a moment, she wished Arawn, Bran, and the dragon were there, and then she cleared her thoughts. Got to work with what I have. No point wasting energy wishing for the impossible. She waited for Rune to make a snarky comment about Dewi, but it didn’t come. Perhaps even the wolf understood that the dragon’s ancient power—never mind her extensive knowledge—would be useful right about now.
She crossed the hall and started up the stairs. Her mouth was dry. Sweat dripped down her sides, despite chilly air that was doing nothing but getting colder as she mounted the circular staircase. She slowed as she neared the top so she wouldn’t turn into an easy target and make things more difficult for Fionn and Gwydion. One more step, and I should be able to see something…
Rearing up on tiptoes, she peeked over the top riser. Gwydion was locked in combat with the thing that had been Marta’s mother. The hybrid’s long gray hair was wrapped around the mage’s throat. The woman had her teeth buried in his arm; she swiped at his eyes with her broken, yellowed nails. As Aislinn watched, horror turning her guts to water, the thing circled more hair around the master enchanter’s neck. The greasy strands seemed to have a life of their own.
Her gaze shifted to Fionn. Buck naked, his golden skin gleamed in light that emanated from the empty coffins. He and Marta’s father moved around one another warily. Magic flashed between them. From time to time, Fionn’s worried blue gaze swept toward Gwydion. Aislinn could tell he was trying to maneuver himself close enough to help, but the hybrid blocked him every time.
A gagging, wheezy sound came from the master enchanter. Aislinn pulled magic, intent on sending a killing blow at Marta’s mother. Something dark streaked past her. It took a moment to register that it was Rune. He launched himself at the hybrid, canines sinking into her neck.
An ungodly, high-pitched shriek filled the low-eaved room. Yellow ocher flowed from the hybrid. Gwydion, obviously recognizing opportunity, didn’t hesitate. With his hands freed from holding the hybrid, he pulled a knife from his dark blue robe and severed the hair that was choking
Aislinn winced at the sarcasm. “Have it your way. Just try not to get sucked through a vortex into some other world.”
She laid a hand on the door and sent magic spinning outward until she felt Gwydion and Fionn. Woven into a complex pattern, their magic was clean. The other power made her suck in a breath. It was so murky and dark, she couldn’t recognize it, but it didn’t feel like the dark gods or the Old Ones. For a moment, her resolve faltered. What am I walking into? And what if Rune gets hurt…?
“Stop thinking.”
“Christ. You sound like Yoda.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment. I loved Star Wars . Marta had me watch it with her on DVD.”
“Gawk! Just stay out of my fucking head. I have enough to worry about without you picking up some stray thought and overreacting.”
She pulled her magic close. No point in protecting a room she was about to leave. The ward was easier to reassemble with just her and the wolf at its center. She drew in a deep breath, then another, and blew out any uncertainties standing in her way. The centering exercise had always worked for her. It muted any lingering reservations and helped her focus on staying strong.
No time like the present. Aislinn turned the knob as silently as she could and let herself into the carpeted hallway. The noise level doubled as soon as she opened the door. It sounded like she was underneath a bowling alley. Because she needed her hands to work magic, she wound a few tendrils of her warding in front of her ears to protect them. The staircase leading to the attic was directly across from the bedroom door. Light flashed from the stairwell. Rune’s warmth hugged her side. Even though he was being subtle about it, she felt him in her mind.
For a moment, she wished Arawn, Bran, and the dragon were there, and then she cleared her thoughts. Got to work with what I have. No point wasting energy wishing for the impossible. She waited for Rune to make a snarky comment about Dewi, but it didn’t come. Perhaps even the wolf understood that the dragon’s ancient power—never mind her extensive knowledge—would be useful right about now.
She crossed the hall and started up the stairs. Her mouth was dry. Sweat dripped down her sides, despite chilly air that was doing nothing but getting colder as she mounted the circular staircase. She slowed as she neared the top so she wouldn’t turn into an easy target and make things more difficult for Fionn and Gwydion. One more step, and I should be able to see something…
Rearing up on tiptoes, she peeked over the top riser. Gwydion was locked in combat with the thing that had been Marta’s mother. The hybrid’s long gray hair was wrapped around the mage’s throat. The woman had her teeth buried in his arm; she swiped at his eyes with her broken, yellowed nails. As Aislinn watched, horror turning her guts to water, the thing circled more hair around the master enchanter’s neck. The greasy strands seemed to have a life of their own.
Her gaze shifted to Fionn. Buck naked, his golden skin gleamed in light that emanated from the empty coffins. He and Marta’s father moved around one another warily. Magic flashed between them. From time to time, Fionn’s worried blue gaze swept toward Gwydion. Aislinn could tell he was trying to maneuver himself close enough to help, but the hybrid blocked him every time.
A gagging, wheezy sound came from the master enchanter. Aislinn pulled magic, intent on sending a killing blow at Marta’s mother. Something dark streaked past her. It took a moment to register that it was Rune. He launched himself at the hybrid, canines sinking into her neck.
An ungodly, high-pitched shriek filled the low-eaved room. Yellow ocher flowed from the hybrid. Gwydion, obviously recognizing opportunity, didn’t hesitate. With his hands freed from holding the hybrid, he pulled a knife from his dark blue robe and severed the hair that was choking
Similar Books
