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Leo and Rhiannon were on the sofa; he was trying to calm her and she was waxing between fury and hysteria. I held her hands, tight, trying to talk her down from the emotional roller coaster she was riding. After a little while and two minor fires--one on a footstool and the other on Heather's jacket that was still hanging by the door--between Leo and me, we managed to soothe her back into a coherent state. I put in a call to Anadey to tell her what had happened and relay Rhiannon's reaction.
"She needs to be with me tonight. I can make her sleep without her dreams playing havoc on the subconscious. Bring her over to Marta's house and I'll take care of her tonight."
"Hold on." I punched the mute button and told the others what she'd said.
"But will they be protected there?" Leo glanced at Rhiannon. "I don't have anything pressing tonight. Maybe I should go with her."
I didn't like the thought of staying at the Veil House alone and was about to say so when Kaylin spoke up.
"If you do, I'll stay here and help guard Cicely."
Part of me bristled at the thought that I needed guarding, but the reality was: If the vampires and Vampiric Fae were going to war, and they both believed I was a catalyst to start that war, I could use a few good men on my side.
"Fine. I'm sorry, Rhia, but I just don't trust your subconscious not to let loose on the place. Anadey wanted you over there at sunrise, anyway. You can get a jump on your training that way."
Rhiannon nodded, pale and looking worn out. "I'm sorry to be such a bother. But you're right. I don't know if I can be trusted in my sleep. Not with what's happened. Are you sure you'll be okay here with Kaylin?"
I glanced at the dreamwalker. His aura was flaring and I could see the energy spiraling off of him. He was on high alert and his parents were standing behind him. "Yeah. We should be fine. Leo, take her over to Anadey's now, before it gets any darker. Don't stop to pack, you'll only be gone for a night."
Without another word, Leo ushered her out to his car and they pulled out of the driveway. As I watched them go, I had the uneasy feeling the night was just beginning.
The owl is waiting in the woods.
Ulean brushed against me. I glanced up from the table. Kaylin and I had finished dinner, and we were now sorting out spell components from Marta's stash. I still had bag after bag to go through, but at least I knew now that I was sitting on a treasure trove. Between Leo, Rhiannon, and I, we should be able to come up with a number of spells and charms to help protect the town of New Forest. The question was: Would we live that long?
Cicely . . . the owl is waiting for you. I know it's dark, but you need to answer its summons. It will fly in from Myst's wood to meet you.
What . . . ? The owl? Blinking, I put down the packet of tiny gems I was sorting through. None were terribly valuable; mostly a lot of semiprecious gem chips and cabochons.
"I'll be back. I won't go far and definitely not outside the perimeter of the land, but there's something I need to check on." I pushed out of my chair before Kaylin could stop me and grabbed my jacket. Before I headed outside, I ran upstairs and snatched up my owl feather, firmly tucking it inside my pocket, and then for good measure, I stuck my stiletto in the boot sheath I always wore on my boots, then headed outside.
I jogged down the cobblestone path, through the gardens at the back of the house. I wasn't sure what I was looking for but I'd know it when I saw it. As I gazed across the lawn to the ravine, I heard a faint hoot. Shit, the owl was there.
Who are you, and what do you want with me?
I'm waiting. I'm waiting for you. Don't tarry too long. The feel of the thought was masculine, though I couldn't be sure. Another wind Elemental?
No, not another Elemental. I don't know who this one is. Ulean's words drifted over me, cool and calm. No sense of danger.
And then I remembered what Chatter had said. The owl's been looking for you, by the way . . . He asks for you, every day. I'd help, but I'm just . . . don't count on me. I'm useless. But soon, you must find the owl. If the Shadow Hunters find it, they'll kill it. They hate owls.
If the Indigo Court hated the owls, then I'd probably like them.
Pulled, not knowing why but only knowing I must follow, I made my way over to an oak, tall and barren against the winter sky, and jumped, catching hold of a lower limb. I swung myself up into the branches, and began to climb, following the whisper of current that led me on. I wasn't afraid of heights--I'd been running across building tops since I was twelve.
And then, I caught sight of it: a pendant, hanging from one of the branches. It was a milky white moonstone, set in silver on a black ribbon. The owl tattoos banding my arms set up a fuss and I jerked. I was used to my wolf talking to me, but the owls had never spoken--they'd always been silent before.
Slowly, I reached for the pendant. It resonated in my hand, setting up a keening, and the owl feather in my pocket began to vibrate so loud that I yanked it out, staring at the quivering plume. As I watched, it began to smoke, then burst into flames and with a shout I dropped it, watching as the fire quickly snuffed out on its way to the ground.
What the hell is going on, Ulean?
I cannot tell you. This is a journey you must travel, without aid of my vision. But I am here if you need me.
The pendant began to glow brightly as I held it to my chest. There was no aura of menace about it, no threat. Nervous, yet feeling for all the world that this was the right thing to do, I slid the ribbon over my head and, hesitating just an instant, let the gem come to rest against my breasts.
As it hung against my body, a cool breeze began to emanate from the gem. I clasped it in my hand, closing my eyes, trying to focus on the energy. The gem throbbed in my hand and I heard a faint noise, like the rustle of wings.
I slid deep into the pulsating beat that now echoed throughout my body. A faint music rose on the wind, the echo of an acoustic guitar, the driving rhythm of the drum . . . it crawled through me, resonated around me, flooded me from the inside out like paint rippling down a wall.
