But a dark cloud hangs in the hall as we run into Elowen standing alone, waiting for us.
Her face looks paler than usual, and her mouth is pressed in a grim line.
“What’s happened?” I ask, scanning her for injuries. Immediately, Lachlan goes on high alert, scanning the halls and entrances for a threat.
“I had a vision,” she rasps out.
It’s only then that I notice that her eyes are completely white. A noise echoes from down the hall, and I glance behind us to see servants walking with firewood and trays of flowers.
“Let’s speak inside,” I whisper and nod to the council room door behind us. “Mina, Evander, can you guys grab Tane and Mathilda and meet us in the library?”
They both nod and continue on as Lachlan ushers Elowen inside. I square my shoulders and master my emotions as best as I can before crossing the threshold and entering the room.
We take seats in front of the roaring fireplace, the warmth of the flames chasing away the last of the chill from the freak snowstorm.
Elowen hugs her body tightly.
“Are you okay?” I ask her. She looks frightened.
“Before I tell you what I saw,” she whispers. “You need to know that my visions aren’t as clear as they used to be.” I nod in understanding. With magic fading, it only makes sense that it would impact her gift, too. “I used to be able to give more details or specific things that would come to light. Now, it’s only vague glimmers or feelings.”
She grimaces, her eyes never leaving the flames.
“Whatever you can tell us is appreciated.”
I do my best to smile encouragingly at her, but my stomach is tied in knots.
Her eyes flicker with darkness before she mumbles, “I saw a wolf devouring our realm whole. There was no more sky, no more sun, only darkness, and then I saw grey and fire before a blue light speared through, and huge giants began ripping branches from a tree while a dragon was breathing fire at it.”
She shudders and grips herself tighter.
“Do either of you know what any of that could mean?” I ask, looking from her to Lachlan.
She shakes her head before hanging it and staring at her lap. Lachlan stands and begins pacing in front of the fireplace. After a few turns, he stops and leans a hand against the mantle, his back to us.
“Well, the giants and dragons are enemies of ours,” he grumbles.
“They’re foretold to battle us in the Great War,” I add in, thinking back to the brief lesson Mathilda gave me back in the capital.
I scan Elowen as she shivers, her strawberry-blonde hair ruffling with the movement. “Do you have any idea when this could take place?”
Her eyes flick up and are more hollow than before.
“Soon.”
30
BOOKS AND WINGS
“What was her vision again?” Mathilda asks, her eyes widening in horror.
Anxiety curls in my belly as I look around at my friends.
War is approaching, and I’m no closer to restoring magic, contacting our allies, or finding Odin.
“She thinks it means war will happen soon,” Lachlan answers for me. He gives my hand a comforting squeeze.
The action dulls the edge of my anxiety.
