Chapter 20
Kerry stood beneath the midnight sky with her arms wide.
The spell was easy. Too easy. Her magic had never responded so quickly or powerfully before.
Apparently, that was what happened when she wasn’t compelled to follow the rules.
She couldn’t believe more Druids didn’t give in to their full powers.
If they did, no one would dare stand against them—not even the Dragon Kings.
The sound of laughter filled her head. “Reaching a little far,” the Ancient said.
Kerry kept her eyes closed as she concentrated on the spell the Ancient had taught her. “Never.”
“Good. More Druids need to think like you.”
Kerry couldn’t help but smile at the praise. No one had ever given her compliments like that before. She had needed them. Everyone did. Now, they were finally hers. She drew in a deep breath, the magic consuming her. It felt amazing. As if it had been waiting all this time for her to see it.
“Give in to it,” the Ancient advised.
Kerry tried, but the magic was so powerful that it was hard for her to stay upright.
“That’s because you’ve never felt the full force of it before. That’s all you, Kerry. All the magic you’ve kept contained your entire life. You’re finally setting it free, finally freeing yourself.”
The spell found its mark. She smiled and finished it.
Kerry’s knees gave out. She dropped to the ground, her hands catching her as she pitched forward.
Euphoria. That was the emotion skidding along her skin and rushing through her veins.
She was becoming a Druid everyone would soon fear.
Rhona only thought she was a problem before.
Wait until Kerry unleashed hell upon Rhona and Balladyn.
Then the Skye Druids would bear witness.
See who was the most powerful. Kerry would put Rhona in her place and banish Balladyn and all the Fae from the island once and for all.
She didn’t care about some prophecy about a Warden. The Druids needed a leader they could count on, one who knew how to make tough decisions. They needed someone with experience. Rhona had none. She had floundered for months. Only by the grace of allies did Skye not fall to the Fae Others.
“Never again,” Kerry muttered as she climbed to her feet.
She dusted off her hands and looked at the sky.
Her life had pivoted and done a complete one-eighty in just a few short days.
None other than the Ancients had shown Kerry her destiny.
No one would ever be able to argue that point.
The Ancients didn’t care that Corann had chosen Rhona, nor did they care about some Warden.
The Ancients guided Kerry, and they would show her the way.
Her. Not Rhona.
Kerry smiled and turned toward her home.
She made her way inside. As she closed the door behind her, she caught her reflection in the mirror hanging on the wall.
She touched the wrinkles around her eyes and mouth.
Everyone had always commented on how cheerful she was.
She didn’t mind the lines on her face. They proved that she had lived a long life.
She didn’t even mind the size of her body.
She enjoyed a delicious meal and whisky.
Why should she deny herself those luxuries?
Her gaze moved to her hair. This was different. She hated the limp, dreary locks her mother had passed to her. All those years as Kerry grew up, her mother had worn wigs, all the while telling Kerry she needed to do something about her hair. Maybe it was time she did.
Kerry cocked her head to the side and considered what to do. Should it be longer? Fuller? What about a color? Black? Blond? Red?
She chuckled as she imagined what Rhona’s face would look like if Kerry approached her with red hair. The laugh died away.
“Not red,” she told her reflection. “If I’m embracing everything else about myself, I shouldn’t try to be something I’m not. Just give it a little…extra.”
With the power inside her, Kerry crafted a spell and used it to make her hair fuller with more body. She was about to remove the gray, but as she turned her head from side to side, she decided against it.
“Now that’s hair,” she said as she reverently touched her locks.
It was her, only better. Just like her magic.
Balladyn flattened his lips as Rhona’s mobile buzzed on the table next to their bed.
It had taken him most of the night to get her to sleep.
Ever since the murder, she had been wound tightly, but things got worse after Elodie’s.
The drough magic, as well as Scott and Filip alerting them to the Druid killings, had distressed her.
Rhona had been obsessed with learning whether what they said was true.
Unfortunately, it was. And that only caused her more worry.
He turned his head on the pillow, careful not to move Rhona, who had her head resting on his chest. Balladyn lifted his free hand, and her mobile snapped into his palm with a thought.
He glanced at the caller ID to see that it was Theo.
The only reason the DI would be calling so early was if something else had happened.
Balladyn lowered his voice to a whisper as he answered the call. “DI Frasier.”
“Uh…Balladyn,” Theo said before clearing his throat. “Is Rhona okay?”
“She’s had a rough night. She only got to sleep a few hours ago. What can I help you with?”
Theo blew out a breath. “You’re going to have to wake her. There’s been another murder.”
“A Druid?”
“That’s the only reason I’d bother her.”
Balladyn clenched his teeth. They had been able to contain the first death, but it wouldn’t be long before the entire island learned of this one. The Druids would soon piece together that they were being targeted. “Where?”
After he’d gotten the information from Frasier, Balladyn hung up and debated leaving Rhona to rest. But he knew she’d never forgive him for going without her. He drew in a breath and gently shook her.
“Wake up, sweetheart. You’re needed.”
She murmured a protest and moved closer to him.
“I know,” he told her before kissing her forehead. “I wish we could stay. There’s been another Druid murder.”
Rhona sighed heavily, then opened her eyes to meet his. “What’s happening to our island?”
“I’m not sure yet, but we’ll figure it out.”
“Before how many more Druids are killed?”
He kissed her. “Let’s not think of that right now. Frasier is waiting for us.”
Rhona pushed herself into a sitting position. She rubbed her eyes and shoved her long, red hair out of her face. Balladyn saved her some time and called her clothes to her as she got to her feet.
“Thank you,” she said with a smile as she looked at him over her shoulder.
He winked at her and stood, his clothes quickly covering him. “Anytime.”
She squared her shoulders as he came to her side. “Who’s the Druid?”
“Fredrick Smyth.”
Rhona frowned at the news.
“Who is he?” Balladyn pressed.
“He’s in his seventies. Keeps to himself. His family can trace their line for hundreds of years to the first residents of Skye,” she told him.
Balladyn held out his hand. As soon as she fitted her palm against his, he teleported them just outside of Smyth’s home. DI Frasier was waiting for them. As soon as he saw them, Theo waved them over.
“Sorry to wake you,” he said as they approached.
Rhona nodded in greeting. “Thanks for the call. What happened?”
“A neighbor heard a scream. They looked out the window and said there was a shape in the air.”
Balladyn shook his head. “What kind of shape?”
“They couldna describe it. Said it looked like mist.” Frasier cleared his throat. “The neighbor then came to check on Mr. Smyth. The door was open. They got worried and went inside. That’s when they found him and called us.”
“Is it the same kind of death as last night’s?” Rhona asked.
Frasier made a face. “No’ exactly. It’s better if I show you.”
Balladyn felt Rhona’s gaze on him. He kept a tight hold of her hand as they followed the DI into the house. Before they reached the door, Balladyn caught the lingering scent of death. He steeled himself for what they would find.
Smyth wasn’t in his bed as the previous victim had been.
The elder male—or what was left of him—sat in a recliner.
The walls, ceiling, and floor were coated with blood and body bits.
Those in the room were doing their best to keep it together, but everyone was pale and fighting to keep from losing the contents of their stomachs.
The only sound Rhona made was a quick inhale. Balladyn felt her shaking as he held her hand. He understood her shock—and anger. Someone was targeting Druids. There had been a small chance that the first victim had been a one-off. That wasn’t the case now. There was a serial killer loose on Skye.
One who was after Druids.
“I thought the first killing was one of anger,” Theo said in a low voice. “But this…this is pure fury. Violence.”
Rhona breathed through her mouth. “Someone wanted to obliterate him.”
They all stared at the gruesome scene for another few minutes. Finally, Balladyn caught Frasier’s attention and jerked his chin toward the door. Frasier nodded and made his way out of the house and away from those who might eavesdrop.
“Did you get anywhere with who might have been after the first victim?” Rhona asked after they’d followed the DI outside.
Frasier rubbed his forehead, his exhaustion evident.
“As you know, we’re a small force. We’re no’ equipped to handle something like this.
We’re doing the best we can. But, to your question, I’ve no’.
Everyone I spoke with had nothing bad to say about her.
It doesna appear as if she had any enemies.
The list Roy passed on to me was good, but there isna anyone on it I can connect to her death. ”
Balladyn had been afraid of that. “We got some new information that might be helpful.”
“I’ll take anything,” Frasier said.
Rhona licked her lips, her gaze darting to the house. “Apparently, Druids in other places are also being targeted. Edinburgh has seen six Druid deaths in five weeks. Glasgow has reported three in the last month. Inverness, London, Paris, Prague, New York, Moscow.”
“Bloody hell,” Frasier murmured. “Why are we being targeted? Does this have to do with the Fae Others?”
“We’re looking into that,” Balladyn replied.
Rhona lifted her chin. “I don’t want to cause panic, but every Druid needs to know so they can keep themselves safe. I’ve already got my deputies getting the word out.”
“We need to let every Druid around the world know,” Frasier said. “Any way we can do that?”
Rhona glanced at Balladyn. “I was thinking about that earlier. We need to do something.”
“Before they come for you,” Theo replied.
“I dare them,” Balladyn stated fiercely.
Rhona tightened her fingers on his hand. “It’s inevitable. You need to watch yourself, too, Theo.”