Vale gestured to the retreating college students. “Maybe we should follow their lead and grab a drink.”
“I should grab the next boat to Evermore.” I’d been on the mainland longer than I should have. I started to text Justine, but I only managed to type a single word before the ground erupted.
“Coranians!” Gage shouted, running toward us.
As I drew my sword for the second time tonight, I thought of the dueling seers’ visions. The oni were the harbingers of the demon parade, which overlapped with the arrival of the Coranians. The sisters had told me as much, but I’d misunderstood their revelations.
And now we would pay the price.
Vale whistled, and other familiar faces came into view, pressing closer to the park borders. Cowboy. Nina. The vampire guard I’d met during my first visit.
“No Harriet?” I asked.
“Harriet doesn’t fight.”
There wasn’t time to dig any deeper. Urien strode into view, his trench coat belling out around him with each surefooted step.
“Remember,” I said, preparing to strike, “we either contain them or force them to retreat.” Maybe the mist would claim them again. Whatever ended this standoff without casualties was fine with me.
Gage sauntered across the lawn toward the leader of the Seven Sorcerers, like a general riding forward to request a parley with the enemy commander before the battle began.
“Greetings, cousins. We weren’t expecting to see you again so soon. How’s Mordren?”
“I’m well, thank you,” Mordren called, waving from behind a tree. “We heal quickly.”
Urien silenced his companion with a fierce look.
“I always wondered why you Coranians would choose to stay in the mortal realm when the Sídhe exists.” As Gage continuedhis casual conversation, I realized it was a stalling tactic. He was giving the rest of Vale’s team time to get in position.
“What do you know of the Sídhe, traitor?” Urien growled.
“I hear the lands are forever bountiful. That the apple trees always bear fruit, and there is an endless flow of ale.”
“And there are roasted meats that will make your mouth water,” Mordren piped up from behind the tree.
“You shame our kind, gancanagh,” Urien said.
“You’ve been roaming this same earth for centuries,” Gage said. “Why am I a traitor but you’re not?”
“Because you’ve embraced this life. This world.” He waved a hand with a flourish.
Gage laughed. “And you haven’t? Come on, my man. You’re fooling yourself. You travel from place to place, thieving and weaving your spells.”
“Only because we have no interest in living underground like rats,” Urien said. “And we do not bow to humans.”
Vale drew his sword and moved to stand beside Gage. “Good thing we’re not humans, then.”
Urien appraised him. “Give us the stone, godling, and we’ll go in peace.”
“Sorry, it’s no longer for sale. Buyer’s remorse.”
“You will give it to us freely, or your people will suffer for your stupidity.”
“People suffer enough from their own stupidity. They don’t need my help,” Vale replied.
“I’ll make you a deal,” I said. “Give us the stones you already have in your collection, and we won’t hurt you.”
Urien belly-laughed, which was a shocking sound for a faerie as gaunt as he was. “You cannot hurt us. We are Coranians.”
