Kyan stalked back out for air, Callum’s thoughtful silence following.
‘The Druid is Irish,’ Kyan managed. And they had resurfaced at the exact time he and Nicole had uncovered a conspiracy in blood about the organisation that rose to power at the twilight of the Druids … it wouldn’t be a coincidence.
It couldn’t be.
To the north, lightning forked like the veins of a god in the dark.
‘What do you think this blood revealed to the Druid?’ Kyan asked a silent Callum, who’d been gazing up at the stars.
His friend sighed. ‘That depends what they were looking for, and what blood it is. Could be anything, I suppose. Trying to reach a long-lost god? What had they needed from a blood divining? Why choose Anglesey instead of the sites in Ireland?’
Kyan wasn’t sure therewereany in Ireland that weren’t in ruins, but now he would have to check those too. Go back to the place his family was killed. He was uncertain he’d be able to find it. The thought twisted, hot and shameful in his stomach; around his heart.
He didn’t want to go back. This place reminded him not just how he’d failed as a protector, but how a sacred magic had been snuffed out under his watch. He was supposed to be their wall against the threats of the world, against the lusts of power-hungry royals and invaders. Against any supernatural monster that might have sought them out.
‘I’ll have to check the Irish sites before Logan can,’ Kyan said.
‘You should have time. I doubt the Wake know the exact location.’
True.Logan wouldn’t know any of this. The idiot would hunt based on the supposed Druid sacrifices alone. But Kyan knew Druids. He just needed to open up to the memories, the magic, again.
He pulled out his phone. It was times like this that he would have updated the Wake, but today his grip near strangled the black device.
‘We might need the Gáe Bolg,’ Callum said thoughtfully. ‘Just to ensure that if we have to kill this mutated Huntbringer, it sticks.’
Kyan grunted in response. ‘Scáthach hid it somewhere in her Isle. It might take me weeks to find.’
‘Since she didn’t teach me how to use it, you’re the best one to try,’ Callum said with a smirk.
Kyan felt his lips twitch. It was true. The Gáe Bolg was a weapon made from the bones of legendary sea creatures. It was so deadly that Scáthach had taught only him how to use it. No other warrior would know how to activate its secret and most violent interior blades.
‘And if Freya is the Huntbringer?’ Kyan asked.
Callum smiled grimly. ‘Hope she’s saveable, or that one of her kids will take the shot. Otherwise, they’ll never forgive us. Though I suppose there are other ways to subdue an immortal, we just have to get creative.’ He began to list a macabre array on his long fingers. ‘Oaths; drugs; sleeping draughts;enchantedsleeps; turning someone into an animal—’
‘Most of those aren’t exactly easy to enforce, and the last one isn’t even a real option.’
‘The Children of Lír beg to differ,’ Callum said, but smirked, handing Kyan a piece of paper with a string of numbers on. ‘Here.’
‘What’s this?’
‘The security code to the little cabin I have near the Druid ruins.’
Kyan’s attention snapped to his friend’s face. ‘You have a place there?’
‘They were the only beings able to contact the gods; their land is sacred. I wanted to keep an eye.’ He looked off to the north-east where the Palmers slumbered in Kyan’s townhouse. ‘When you go, take Nicole with you.’
‘We don’t know where her next clue is yet. We might have to split up again.’
‘Perhaps. Which reminds me, I’m going to check on Luca. He has a plan to help turn the prying eyes of CCTV away during their little harp heist.’
Kyan frowned. ‘Do you think it’ll work?’
‘Luca seems to think so, and he’s very good at what he does. But I’ll be back for the Speakeasy, and whatever you discover in Ireland.’ Callum put his hand on Kyan’s shoulder, surprisingly serious. ‘I’ll be here to talk about it, if you need me.’
Kyan’s throat grew tight. ‘I’ll be all right.’
Callum’s eyes winked with interest, tinged with uncertainty, before fading to his usual charm.
