He rolled his eyes but sighed in confirmation. “Dùbhghlas would have to be more powerful than me to undo all the old magick and it will always answer to the sun god. It was dedicated to him and he was reborn there.”
Nox wasn’t sure if he agreed with that completely. “He’ll be uncomfortable there, but what do you need to make a poppet?” he asked, looking around and Everly gasped as he raised his hand.
“Pieces of the person you want to bless or curse!”
“That’s right, buddy,” Nox said with a gentle smile, then winced at Merlin. “Where would you find pieces of a god if you wanted to make a poppet to curse him?”
“That festering son of a—!” Merlin started but Nox shushed and gave the older man’s bald head a soothing pat, which had the opposite effect but lightened the mood.
“It won’t work. That ismycathedral he’s standing in. Splashing his curses and sigils all over that glade won’t change what’s seeped into the soil and shaped those stones. It’s the same power that shaped me and itis me.” Nox laughed softly as he pictured it, already feeling nurtured and like his spiritual battery was recharging. “That land and the creatures of those woods will answer to me if I call for them. Those ancient stones and that gentle lake and precious meadow will always be my home and give me strength.”
“He’s right,” Clancy said as he pushed back his seat and stood to address the table. Nox’s general was ready to gather the troops. “Dùbhghlas is about to make his move and thinks he’s set a nasty trap for Nox. His first mistake was using Nelson as bait and Dùbhghlas is at a disadvantage. That place will work against him and it will require a great amount of energy and dark magick to suppress it and turn it against Nox.”
Merlin ducked his head, grinning. “That is true. He will be fighting two battles at once when we meet and who knows how much he’s exhausted to fortifyourcabin and defend himself.”
“Exactly,” Clancy said, heading for the door. “Everyone in the study. Dinner’s over. We’ve kept Nelson waiting long enough,” he added and there were claps and enthusiastic cheers as everyone abandoned their meals and followed.
For the first time in days—since he felt Nelson being abducted—Nox could truly breathe and think clearly. He would have known if Nelson had died but now, Nox knew that Nelson was alert and ready, waiting for a fight. His spirit was strong and Nelson was biding his time until Nox arrived.
“Thank you!” Nox whispered as he closed his eyes and prayed Nelson felt how much he loved and missed him. “I’m sorry I ever doubted us but I won’t let you down.” He couldn’t feel or hear Nelson anymore. Nelson had managed to penetrate the shield orfog that Dùbhghlas had created for just a few brief moments to give Nox just what he needed.
Not just valuable intelligence, but confidence. Nelson wasn’t scared. He had hope and faith in their love and sacred connection. His conviction had reached through the miles and the dark magick between them, reigniting Nox’s spirit and summoning him to battle.
“You really shouldn’t have started this, Hugh, but I’m going to finish it.”
Nox was determined as he strode from the dining room and joined his family of brave, good warriors in the study. A map had been taped to one of Merlin’s boards and everyone had gathered to discuss their options. Another wave of gratitude washed over Nox as he took in the family that had rallied around him. They were all a part of him now and they loved and cared for each other in all the ways a family should. And just as Nox needed and loved Nelson, none of them would rest or feel complete until he was returned to them.
“There will probably be more Fomorians in the woods,” Clancy said, earning a humph from Merlin as he added them to the list of hazards they might encounter.
“A challenge to get around, but still fodder.”
“There will be several demons but they shouldn’t be too much trouble,” Smoak said from the sofa. He was perched on the arm next to Niall, looking disgruntled and uncomfortable. The fact that he had endured the townhouse’s warding for so long and was willing to engage and assist was a huge bonus for their side. “I should be enough to scare them off but having a pair of hellhounds and a mutant changeling for backup will make the job a lot easier.”
The twins snorted and sneered. “We’ll leave you a few so you won’t feel left out,” Bryn said, high-fiving Arawn.
Everly nodded rapidly. “I’m not afraid of sluagh or demons anymore. I can just swallow the little ones right up!” he boasted, making Smoak bite down on a laugh.
“I have heard that you’re good at swallowing.”
Bryn glared at Smoak. “Go ahead. Keep making fun of him. You won’t be laughing when Everly walks you like a dog and stuffs you in Merlin’s bag,” he threatened but Smoak waved him off.
“Settle down, hound. We all know your cock puppet is more dangerous than he looks,” Smoak replied with a somewhat deferential nod at Everly. “And who doesn’t appreciate an accomplished swallower?” he added and Everly beamed as he hugged his arms and smiled adoringly up at Bryn.
“He does!” Bless his heart, he was so proud of himself and didn’t understand why Bryn was turning red and everyone else was about to have a stroke or levitate.
Nox wished that Nelson was there and would be sure to share this with him when they were together again. The others must have noticed the shift in Nox’s mood, there were serious coughs and hard sniffs and Clancy mumbled about staying focused.
“There may be other…undead halflings,” Clancy said with an apologetic grimace at Everly. “We have to keep an eye out and keep you away from them.”
“They won’t get past Everly,” Bryn vowed and there were murmurs of agreement as Clancy went to the map and pointed.
“It will be slow and difficult but we go in on foot and see what we’re up against before we charge. We’ll land right in the middle of Dùbhghlas’s trap if we have Smoak drop us into that meadow or the cabin.”
Shelby stepped up and tapped on an access road just west of the cabin. “They’ll be watching this but we can run alongside it and I can lead us in without drawing any attention.”
“I can do reconnaissance as well,” Smoak said, earning a tight nod from Shelby.
“I’m great at tracking! I’ll help guide the group and make sure no one catches us sneaking in,” Niall offered but Smoak shook his head.
