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She stepped aside, and one of the men stepped forward. He looked similar to my Grieve, and yet he was so unlike my love that it frightened me. Grieve struggled against his nature, but this man--here I saw only alien aloofness, a cold ruthless spark that raced from his eyes to his mouth.
"You are being given fair warning by Myst, the ruler of this wood. We know you seek to interfere with our affairs. Be warned that should you continue, we will turn Peyton. For now she is safe, but defy us and we'll destroy every friend and family member you have, and then yourselves. We let you live because your aunt agreed to join our Court if we gave you protection. But that protection ends if you attempt to intervene in the coming war."
I stared at him, and bone-weary, snorted. "What about Peyton?"
"She is alive. For now. Her freedom at this time is not up for discussion."
"Oh yes, it is. Hell, you've already destroyed our families. We're the only ones left. Tell your Queen that you've done your job. Mission accomplished. We've been warned."
"And your response, milady?" For all of his churlishness, he bowed politely.
I glanced at Kaylin, who gave me a single nod.
"Tell Myst to mind her webs and spiders. And tell her that we'll repay her for the kindness she's shown my aunt, and Leo's sister. And if Peyton comes to harm, we'll burn down the wood--tear it apart limb by bough by leaf. You go back and you tell Myst that the Indigo Court might rule the forest, but once you step on our land, I'm Queen here. And I walk with the Vein Lords at my back, so don't think it will be so easy to destroy us."
The ambassador stared at me for a moment, then nodded. "As you wish, Cicely Waters, but we are not finished yet. I advise you: Don't count on your allies so much that you leave yourself unarmed. Our enemies may still run this town, but we are a force you should not cross."
With one last look at Heather, who stared at me steadfast, unblinking, I turned, striding back to the house. Kaylin fell in behind me. We didn't dare show fear, didn't dare look back. By the time we got to the house, the group of Shadow Hunters had retreated back into the night.
Chapter 19
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?
