saw blade. It bit deep, severing spine and tentacles.
The Fomorii’s body shuddered. The head rolled free. Acidic, black blood sprayed the area, burning everything it touched, snow, trees, and him.
Blood and husk dissolved into ash and disappeared in the swirling snow.
As the motor quieted, Allana joined him. “You’re hurt.”
“I can wait. See to Rice first.”
***
Before they breached the wood’s edge, Rice shook free of their assistance. “Thanks. I’m all right. I’m healed.”
Allana reached for him. “It’s too soon.”
“I said I’m fine. I’m heading for Cave of the Fallen to introduce myself to the Cáidh Arm. We’ll meet at Eagle Eyrie and compare notes. If Farley thinks I’m alive, we’ll go into camp together. Otherwise, I’ll stay out of sight with Fritz, and you can reach me by telepathy.”
Luc handed Rice his knife. “Thought you’d want this back.”
He shoved it into its sheath under his coat. “Good thing about Fomorii, you don’t have to Glanavana your blade.”
He touched Rice’s temple and initiated the telepathic access he had squelched over the last few months, creating a private channel. Can Farley teleport or create portals?
Not that I’m aware of. That isn’t one of the Gulgari power , Rice responded, cementing their personal channel. The situation is dicier than we thought. If Allana could scent I’m a daemon through my glamour and dampener, then probably so can Farley. Let her think I’ll join you, but—
You won’t. You’re right, stay out of sight. I’ll contact you before I go after him.
Don’t forget, he’s mine . Rice pulled back from him. “Be careful. Earl was right about one thing; the child’s mother will tell whoever passes for the law hereabouts what happened to them. Expect a visit from a lynch mob when this storm lets up.” He stepped away and turned to face them. “And you, Allana, trust only Luc, me, or the gargoyle Fritz until you join the Cáidh Arm and your Fae family.”
Luc shifted uneasily. She had been quiet, too quiet while Rice and he had talked. When a woman like Allana remained silent in the face of an order, he worried. “You going to tell Deva we found one of the lost princesses?” he asked Rice, but watched her for a reaction. If he’d blinked, he would have missed the slight shiver he suspected had nothing to do with the cold and everything to do with Rice’s words about her family. Seemed she did not want to be found. Strange, considering the Light’s resources.
“Hell, yes. I’ll also warn her and her mate to stay the hell away from Farley. He would like nothing more than to get hold of that power.” He faced Allana. “I appreciate all you’ve done—the information on my family, too. I’m sorry you’re our target and bait to flush out Farley.”
With a wince, Luc turned from Rice to Allana. A frisson of worry spread through him. Once again, she seemed to have no reaction. Not a wrinkle marred her face. She tilted her head and looked at both of them, yet didn’t seem to see them. It was as if she were receiving inner guidance, and he suspected he wouldn’t like the outcome.
Her spine straightened and shoulders went back. “With me in tow, you have a shot sending Farley’s blackened soul to Gohorah for eternity. No more women will lose their husbands to him. No more children will suffer abuse for his aims. No more families destroyed.”
“You do realize I wasn’t—aren’t going to actually give you to him?” A sudden cold chill in Luc’s stomach twisted in a knot at her silence. The blasted woman planned to march into Farley’s camp. Like hell! “Rice and I can handle this. You have children of your own to find and protect. I release from your oath. Go find them.”
“No. If we don’t defeat Farley, they may be his next target.” Her eyes locked with his. “Do you really think he will stop or be satisfied with whatever magicks he happens to find? He won’t. He needs power,
The Fomorii’s body shuddered. The head rolled free. Acidic, black blood sprayed the area, burning everything it touched, snow, trees, and him.
Blood and husk dissolved into ash and disappeared in the swirling snow.
As the motor quieted, Allana joined him. “You’re hurt.”
“I can wait. See to Rice first.”
***
Before they breached the wood’s edge, Rice shook free of their assistance. “Thanks. I’m all right. I’m healed.”
Allana reached for him. “It’s too soon.”
“I said I’m fine. I’m heading for Cave of the Fallen to introduce myself to the Cáidh Arm. We’ll meet at Eagle Eyrie and compare notes. If Farley thinks I’m alive, we’ll go into camp together. Otherwise, I’ll stay out of sight with Fritz, and you can reach me by telepathy.”
Luc handed Rice his knife. “Thought you’d want this back.”
He shoved it into its sheath under his coat. “Good thing about Fomorii, you don’t have to Glanavana your blade.”
He touched Rice’s temple and initiated the telepathic access he had squelched over the last few months, creating a private channel. Can Farley teleport or create portals?
Not that I’m aware of. That isn’t one of the Gulgari power , Rice responded, cementing their personal channel. The situation is dicier than we thought. If Allana could scent I’m a daemon through my glamour and dampener, then probably so can Farley. Let her think I’ll join you, but—
You won’t. You’re right, stay out of sight. I’ll contact you before I go after him.
Don’t forget, he’s mine . Rice pulled back from him. “Be careful. Earl was right about one thing; the child’s mother will tell whoever passes for the law hereabouts what happened to them. Expect a visit from a lynch mob when this storm lets up.” He stepped away and turned to face them. “And you, Allana, trust only Luc, me, or the gargoyle Fritz until you join the Cáidh Arm and your Fae family.”
Luc shifted uneasily. She had been quiet, too quiet while Rice and he had talked. When a woman like Allana remained silent in the face of an order, he worried. “You going to tell Deva we found one of the lost princesses?” he asked Rice, but watched her for a reaction. If he’d blinked, he would have missed the slight shiver he suspected had nothing to do with the cold and everything to do with Rice’s words about her family. Seemed she did not want to be found. Strange, considering the Light’s resources.
“Hell, yes. I’ll also warn her and her mate to stay the hell away from Farley. He would like nothing more than to get hold of that power.” He faced Allana. “I appreciate all you’ve done—the information on my family, too. I’m sorry you’re our target and bait to flush out Farley.”
With a wince, Luc turned from Rice to Allana. A frisson of worry spread through him. Once again, she seemed to have no reaction. Not a wrinkle marred her face. She tilted her head and looked at both of them, yet didn’t seem to see them. It was as if she were receiving inner guidance, and he suspected he wouldn’t like the outcome.
Her spine straightened and shoulders went back. “With me in tow, you have a shot sending Farley’s blackened soul to Gohorah for eternity. No more women will lose their husbands to him. No more children will suffer abuse for his aims. No more families destroyed.”
“You do realize I wasn’t—aren’t going to actually give you to him?” A sudden cold chill in Luc’s stomach twisted in a knot at her silence. The blasted woman planned to march into Farley’s camp. Like hell! “Rice and I can handle this. You have children of your own to find and protect. I release from your oath. Go find them.”
“No. If we don’t defeat Farley, they may be his next target.” Her eyes locked with his. “Do you really think he will stop or be satisfied with whatever magicks he happens to find? He won’t. He needs power,
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