“Who is this Aunt Gwyneth?”
“She was the greatest archer in all the land, teaching Dyna and countless others how to shoot. Men feared her. She and herhusband were spies for the Scottish Crown, and she had killed men in many brutal ways. The mere mention of her name sent many fleeing in the opposite direction. But I tell you, she will help us.”
“Was she there the previous time?”
“She was, but John and I didn’t truly understand our task then. If I am right, and I only need to discover the bairn’s favorite memory, we will succeed. I can do it. I just need to find my way into their minds, as I did with Milo. I’m convinced I simply ran out of time to reach Heilyn’s cage before. I won’t this time.”
A golden light appeared out of nowhere. Ailith gasped, and Edan turned to watch as Erena approached the group.
Lia approached Erena. “How do we get him out here?” she asked. “I thought Gruin would appear once we arrived.”
“I will summon him in a moment. I’m here to speak to those going in.” Erena gestured for the group to gather around her before continuing. “Do not be afraid of what you see inside. The Unseelie will send you frightening images to drive you away. Do not let them succeed. You are strong fighters, and you two lasses possess powers they envy. They will not be able to hurt either of you.”
“They won’t?” Dyna asked. “Can you not bestow the same protection on our men?”
“Nay, as seers, you are inherently protected. Ignore any men you see in cages, you will not be able to free them. Focus on the bairns. Free as many as you can, count those you cannot help, and then get out as quickly as possible.”
Edan, bolder than Ailith expected, declared, “I’d like to help.”
“The only way you can help is to wait out here. Your iron blood would destroy every part of the inside, starting with thevery roots. If you were to enter, those inside would be lost to us. You must remain strong and wait here.”
She turned away but then stopped. “And if the one with the iron blood insists, you must hold onto him, Ailith. Holding him will slow the destruction of that section of the underworld.”
Erena then stepped back, closed her eyes, and lifted her arms. Butterflies streamed toward the hill, and once they settled on the grass, the hill began to grow, and a door appeared.
“Let them in, Gruin. You had a deal for a wee lass.” Erena stood with her arms crossed.
“I was busy!” Gruin appeared, cursing, clad this time in a completely black outfit with a mouse nestled in each pocket. Ailith nearly recoiled, but Erena shot her a look, and she contained her distaste. This had to be what Erena meant about trying to drive them away. “What do you want, Queenie? And be quick about it.”
“Let them in. You’ve taken bairns who don’t belong to you. You had no right to bother those in Finlaggan and Dunyvaig either. This is my area. Send them out.”
Gruin snorted. “We’ll give them back, but not yet. We’re having such fun with them.”
A thousand butterflies swarmed Gruin’s face, and the bogle spit and swung wildly, mice squeaking and squealing as he windmilled his arms.
When they finally left, he strode over to Erena. “After all the trouble you’ve caused us, you think you can force me to open that door?” He reached for Ailith and pulled her forward.
“You’ll treat me better or she’ll pay with a piece of her soul.” Ailith did her best not to react, but she didn’t have to wait long.
Edan was at her side in a moment and reached for him. “Let. Her. Go.”
Gruin dropped his hand and stepped back. “Get away from me, MacRuari. You’ve caused enough trouble too.”
“Open the door.”
“No.”
Edan walked over to the door and pulled his sword out, driving it into the lock. The door opened, the hill shaking, tossing some of the warriors about, clumps of dead grass flying overhead.
Gruin clenched his fists. “Get back and I’ll let them in. Stop before you…” He apparently thought better of confessing exactly what would happen, but Edan now had a clearer picture of why he had to stay back. Ailith glanced at him to see if he’d understood.
Edan took three steps back until the ground stopped shuddering. “Let them in.”
Gruin stalked to the door and disappeared, leaving the door open.
Lia said, “Nicely done, Edan, but you still need to stay back.”
“I understand.”
