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By then, Zane saw Luther bounding toward him in wolf form, and he started to breathe a sigh of relief.
He pathed to Luther. I can see you, but Olivia has me cloaked. Go to the central compound; the Invictus are feeding. Chase will be there by the time you arrive.
I’m on it, Luther responded.
For the first time since the attack began, Zane took a real breath. Sweet Goddess, what a nightmare.
Zane found Chase’s force. The nearest Guardsman’s eyes glinted with battle readiness and Zane feared a hand-blast in his direction if without warning Olivia unshielded them both.
He therefore alerted the squad leader telepathically
before revealing himself. The Guardsman, wary, responded, Mastyr, I’m ready. Go ahead and uncloak.
Zane had Olivia release her shielding frequency and the next moment the Guardsman drew close in a protective stance, his gaze searching the horizon. Two more Guardsmen drew near as well and set up a perimeter around the women.
He was about ready to take off once more with Olivia settled on his boot, when one of the fae grabbed hold of his arm. “Margetta took her, Mastyr.”
“What do you mean? Took who?”
“Mistress Regan. I serve in her household. Margetta showed up well before the attack started, and a strange mist came out of her. Regan lost consciousness and Margetta picked her up in her arms. I passed out soon after but not before I saw the Ancient Fae take Regan into the air.” She pointed a shaking arm into the sky.
“Which direction? North? South?”
“Southwest. I’m sure of it.”
Zane glanced at Olivia, whose eyes were wild. Her voice entered his head. Regan pathed to me earlier, calling for help just as I was heading back here. But the communication broke off.
Zane knew then that the worst had happened. Margetta, in her need for revenge, had returned to Swanicott and kidnapped Regan. Maybe she’d even killed her.
To Olivia, Zane said, “Will you fly with me? See if we can find Regan’s trail?”
“Of course.”
With her firmly clasped to his side, he rose quickly above the trees, then flew at top speed in a southwesterly direction. He zig-zagged a path over a mile in width, hunting for Regan’s or Margetta’s trail. He hoped beyond hope that in the same way Margetta could track Olivia, either he or Olivia would be able to detect some residual sign of the women. Do you see a trail of lights, or a scent maybe? Anything?
Olivia held him tight around his shoulders. The land slipped away and they were now in flight over Maris Luna.
I’m not seeing or smelling anything, Zane. Nothing that would indicate we’re on Margetta’s trail. Or Regan’s. How about you?
No, nothing.
After another fifty miles and a lot of lateral zig-zagging, he finally slowed to a stop. He levitated a quarter mile above the ocean. We should head back. There’s nothing out there for hundreds of miles. And we’d eventually reach the Camberlaune Realm access point.
He turned around and headed back in the other direction.
Where are Margetta’s headquarters? Olivia asked. Because I’m pretty sure the camp she had here in Swanicott wasn’t her primary fortress?
I have no doubt that the camp at Angler’s Cliff was merely a staging point. As for where she resides, or from which location she launches her attacks, no one knows. It’s one of the greatest mysteries in our world. I’m convinced she’s holed up in one of the realms, and making use of powerful shields of some kind. Believe me, we’ve all hunted. But this recent spell that kept Margetta’s camp hidden from view tells its own story.
He felt Olivia shudder. I just have the worst feeling Margetta has taken Regan back to her lair.
You may be right, but I think this is my fault. Guilt pummeled him all over again How is this on your head, Zane?
Because I chased you away. If you’d stayed, then together, we could have gone to Regan immediately. As it was, you saw how many Invictus surrounded our cottage.
Well, hindsight and all that. Please don’t think about it, not right now.
You’re being gracious.
