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"You gave me back my life. I owe you a favor, half-breed. You'd do well to keep it for later. It might just save your life someday."
My stomach churned. If I'd had a bottle of Turns, I would have upended it right there. Aeval was scary-freaky, all right, and I filed her warning away under Get Out Of Jail Free cards.
Titania quickly moved to put herself between the two of us. "We have much to talk about, my sister. And I include the sorceress Morgaine in that. She may not be full Fae, but she began the quest to raise the Courts, and I would not have you kill her. In the time you've been sleeping and I've been languishing, she's kept our memories alive."
Aeval considered Titania's words and nodded. "Very well. Let's go. I want out of this damned cave."
Titania turned to me. She pointed to the sword, her eyes warning me to keep silent. "You may have that—and what is affixed to it. Do as you will with both. We will be in touch soon." And with that, she put her arm around Morgaine's shoulders, and all three of them faded into a thick mist that swallowed them up.
I stared at the broken crystal, at the sword, and then over at Chase, who was crouching behind a rock. He jumped up and hurried over to my side.
"Are you okay? Camille? Do you need help?" He offered me his hand, and I slowly stood, testing to see if anything was amiss. The powers of the horn were beginning to fade; it would need recharging after that jaunt. And the dark of the moon would not come for nearly a month. The magic that had flowed into my hands as I struck the crystal had left me crisped through. Running the energy of four Elementals, as well as those from a Fae Queen and a powerful sorceress through my body had left me charred, every nerve raw and stinging.
I was about to answer when a noise at the entrance of the cavern startled both of us. As I struggled to raise what power I could, a figure burst into the cave. Chase jumped in front of me, his nunchakus raised, but then lowered them as the man moved into the light.
Benjamin Welter stood there, a wild look in his eyes. "Help me," he pleaded. "The demons are after me. And they're after the gem!"
Chapter Twenty-seven
"Benjamin!" I pushed around Chase, running over to Benjamin's side. The poor man had a wild look in his eyes, like the hounds of hell were chasing him. In a way, they were. Only much worse; demons made hellhounds look like a bunch of yapping poodles. "Get over there. Chase, help him find a hiding place."
If the demons were coming, I had to protect the seal. I grabbed up the sword, studying the welds that fixed the seal to the metal. Something clicked in the back of my mind, and I summoned up the last of my energy and brushed my hand across the seal.
"Release!"
The pendant came loose and fell into my hand. I stared at the spirit seal, wondering what the hell to do with it. If the others didn't come back, there was no way Chase and I could fend off the demons. I glanced around the cave. No good; they'd tear the place apart looking for it.
With no other choice, I slipped the seal down my bra, resting it between my breasts where it hummed lightly. They'd have to take me down to get their hands on it. I might not be able to muster up any more spells at this point—my energy was drained in a way it had never been before—but I had a sword, and I'd fight to the end.
"Do you think Titania will come back to help?" Chase asked, a catch of hope in his voice.
I wanted to tell him yes, to set his mind at ease, but in my heart I knew this was our fight. The Fae Queens weren't going to ride cavalry to our need. I shook my head. "Don't count on it. We have to hope the others return in time. Meanwhile, get behind me. I can take more damage than you can—"
"No. I won't be pushed aside time and again just because I'm human—" he started to say, but I turned on him.
"Listen: What good is it if they just cut right through you to get to me? If I go down, I go. But I can fight long enough to buy us all some extra time. Get it? We both have a better chance of surviving if I'm in front."
Without waiting for an answer, I whirled back to face the door. There was the sound of scuffling outside, and then Feddrah-Dahns and Mistletoe raced in. They took one look around, then hurried to our side.
"Are they coming?"
"Yes. The demons are in front of your sisters and friends. We tried to lead them away from the cave, but they seemed to sense that something happened. Whatever you were doing in here sent a ripple throughout the astral realms that must have been felt back in Otherworld." Feddrah-Dahns scuffed the floor with one had and whinnied.
"Hell, that means we've got to keep them occupied till Delilah and the rest get here. Warning—I don't have any magic left. I'm thoroughly drained. If I tried to summon down a bolt from the Moon Mother, I couldn't hold onto it, and I'd be fried to a crisp, along with anybody standing near." I inhaled deeply, holding the breath in my lungs to recharge me. The adrenaline was rushing through my body at least, keeping me on my feet.
"Noted. Mistletoe, take your place with the constable. Help him if you can." Feddrah-Dahns glanced at me, and I shot him a grateful smile.
As we waited, a bevy of thoughts raced through my mind. The fights were getting harder, the white and black hats more difficult to differentiate. We were all becoming slaves to the sword, but the only other option was so horrifying that we had no choice. Bloody warriors, bloody swords, bloody days.
No wonder spending my nights out at Smoky's seemed like a dream vacation to me—secure within a dream of mist and smoke that actually existed, that promised a sanctuary.
The image of Trillian loomed large in my mind, but I couldn't even muster up a single tear. I was all cried out. He was off facing goblins, I was here facing demons. Perhaps he had the better chance to live. Was he worried about me? Probably, but Trillian would face his fear and do what he needed to. And so would I. I wouldn't let him down. I'd make both him and my father proud.
As I straightened my shoulders, another movement at the door alerted me. The scent of jasmine and oranges and sugar vanilla wafted in on the breeze. They were here.
Karvanak strode into the room, followed by Vanzir and Jassamin. I swallowed the lump of fear that rose in my throat. They looked human, but that was mere illusion. They were ruthless killers, hungry for the seal, and it was my duty to keep them from getting it.
I held out my sword. "Come no further. You are not welcome here. Get your butt out of here, and we'll let you live."
