Worlds Without End by Caroline Spector Page A

veins as well as mine.
    The boat moved toward the shore where I stood, cutting smoothly through the water, leaving only the slightest wake to mar the perfect sheen. I could see no oarsmen or sails, but that is the way of faerie. It stopped about a meter from shore and rested there.
    “Greetings, Finvarra.” I said. “You do me a great honor.”
    He laughed. It was harsh and grating, and yet it sounded like music to me.
    “Aina.” he said. “Sweet mother. How may I help?”
    “I would find the Seelie Court, Finvarra.” I replied. “Though to hear some tell it, I am no longer considered a power in Tír na nÓg.”
    “Come down from there, Caimbeul.” Finvarra said. “You make me nervous lurking about.”
    I heard Caimbeul curse as he slipped and slid his way toward us.
    “You haven’t answered my question.” I said. “Where is the Seelie Court?”
    Finvarra leaned back on his throne and studied me. I returned the favor. His gray eyes were as piercing as ever and the sharp planes of his face were more cruel than kind. A thin gold circlet rested on his brow. Long thin hands rested on bony knees. His clothing, made of leaves and bark and animal pelts, reminded me of what we’d worn in Blood Wood all those centuries ago.
    Then I noticed that lying at his feet was a young woman. She was dressed in a tight purple dress with thigh-high black patent leather boots. Part of her head was shaved so the datajack she’d had implanted could be easily accessed. She seemed to be asleep.
    “Up to your old tricks again.” I said.
    “ ’Tis nothing.” he said. “A harmless amusement.”
    “What would Oonagh say?” I knew I had to play along.
    “What she doesn’t know . . . Besides, this is all rather off the point. You wish to know where the Seelie Court is currently residing.”
    “Yes.”
    “Perhaps they don’t wish to be found.”
    “No. I suspect they don’t. And I suspect I know why they don’t want to hear from me.”
    Finvarra smiled at me. His teeth were yellow and very long.
    “Now we’re getting somewhere.” he said. “Perhaps I can help you. If you are willing to do something for me.”
    “And what might that be?” I asked.
    “A test.” he replied. “A simple challenge of your will. My subjects will be more than happy to administer it. If you succeed, we take you to the Court. If you fail, well, that will be your lookout, won’t it?”
    “And who decides whether I win or lose?”
    “Why that, dear mother, you will have to figure out for yourself.”
    With that, the boat sped away from me. It left barely a ripple in the water and the mist closed around it, hiding it from my sight. I stepped forward, the edge of the lake touching my toes. What now? I wondered.
    “Well, that was helpful.” said Caimbeul.
    I spun about, ready to give him a cutting remark when behind me something burst forth from the water and grabbed me.
    In a flash I was being pulled down into the blackness. The water was freezing and I hadn’t caught a breath. I fought against the urge to inhale. My eyes were open, but I couldn’t see much. I looked down and saw that I was being held by a each-uisge. My legs were helplessly stuck to its chest and forelegs. Its clawed hands were clasped about my thighs. The head was that of a horse with razor-sharp teeth.
    It would pull me down into the water until I drowned and then feast upon my flesh, except for my liver, which it would no doubt spit up at Caimbeul’s feet. It was a prospect I didn’t relish.
    I let myself go limp, playing dead, hoping this would slow its descent. It did. Then I jerked my arms apart and uttered the words. Between my hands a whirling of water started. It began to glow and lit the each-uisge with blue light. The water spun faster and faster until it narrowed into a fine, laser-like point. I pointed it downward at the each-uisge’s head. There was the muffled sound of a shriek, and then the creature’s head disappeared. Its claws went slack on my thighs,