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I squinted, trying to focus on the physical. The astral was superimposed over the swath of trees, but if I kept my attention on the forest, it became clearer, more distinct.
We emerged into what looked to be a large, circular glade. The forest was lit up like a pack of matches, the energy racing through the trees, flaring with deadly brilliance. Everything was swathed in a sparkle of silver, in tones of deep indigo. The trees were barren, their branches weaving a latticework of silver webs across the sky.
Rhiannon's vision! This had to be the home base of the Indigo Court. Or at least their headquarters in our area.
You're right. Ulean was drifting along behind us and I was relieved to see that she'd made it through the barrier okay. I hung back, letting Kaylin lead.
The Marburry Barrow was huge--the entire New Forest Conservatory campus could have fit inside--and it looked like an overgrown bump in the ground. A number of figures wandered around the outskirts and from here, I could see a shimmer against the lower edge. No doubt an opening.
The Barrow looked as though it had been built on a circular platform raised some fifteen feet above the ground. Steps along one side led up to the top of the mound itself, and at least two figures were lounging on the snow atop the dome.
I scanned the figures. All had a particular tint to their auras, and I began to understand why they were called the Indigo Court. The energy swirled, indigo and deep purple and black and silver--the colors of night and of shadow. Incredibly beautiful, their energy was magnetic and seductive and I longed to edge closer to the group, to bask in their presence.
Kaylin hissed. Startled, I slipped out of my reverie and looked at him with a grateful nod. I raised my hands to assure him that I was okay.
We watched for a few minutes as I tried to memorize the spot of shimmer that I was sure was a doorway. If we were able to sneak back on the physical, we'd know where to go without having to scout around for the entrance.
And then, it happened. The shimmering door parted for a moment and a contingent of the Indigo Court came out with two figures between them. Two figures who weren't of the Vampiric Fae. Both whose auras read as being of the magic-born, one weaker than the other in power.
Your aunt and your friend. Ulean was right behind me.
"Heather! Peyton!" I jerked away from Kaylin, heading for Heather.
"No! Cicely, come back!" Kaylin was on my heels, reaching for my arm. He managed to catch me before I'd gone more than a few yards, but then Heather swiveled in our direction and I caught her little cry on the wind.
At that moment, one of the Indigo Court turned toward us and shouted something, waving in our direction.
Shit! We'd been spotted.
"Run, run as fast as you can, we have to get out of here and off the astral!" Kaylin spun around, dragging me behind him on a breakneck race for the portal.
"But we haven't rescued them--"
"They'll kill us if they catch us!" He yanked me between the oaks and the jolt stilled the protest lodged on my tongue. We headed toward Rhiannon and Leo.
"We don't have time to come off the astral easy," Kaylin said. "This may hurt so get ready!"
He threw his arms around me and there was a numbing flash as we tumbled, bodies solidifying, the smoke of our shadows dissipating. It was like flying, then being yanked out of the sky by an anchor of flesh.
I blinked hard as I tripped and went sprawling in front of Leo, who hurried to help me up. Kaylin, right behind me, was motioning toward the path.
"We have to get out of here. They spotted us!"
"Oh shit." Leo grabbed up our packs and tossed them to us while Rhiannon headed toward the path.
But it was too late. There was a noise from behind us, from between the Twin Oaks, and three men jumped from the portal. They had pale skin and a cerulean cast to their countenance. Vampiric Fae. Shadow Hunters.
I started to run, but in my heart I knew they were faster than we were. They'd catch us and they'd feed on us and that would be the end of everything.
"No!" Rhiannon's voice echoed through the air. She stopped, turning.
"What are you doing? Run!" I reached for her but she waved me off.
"I won't let them hurt us . . . I won't let them take us like they took my mother!" Her eyes flared dangerously and sunbursts writhed around her, struggling to free themselves as she pulled out one of the firebombs.
The men slowed, staring at her warily, but still heading in our direction. They glanced at the rest of us and I could tell they were trying to figure out just what the hell we were up to.
"Don't come any closer. I'm warning you!" Rhiannon's voice was close to breaking. And then, tears running down her face, she raised her arms. "I told you to stop . . ."
