Chapter 35 Tap
Tap
As I was preparing breakfast a couple of mornings later, a familiar bark echoed through the great hall.
I rushed out of the kitchen, torn over which should come first—finding Ramsey or waking Phin. As another bark echoed through the hall, Phin rushed out, short curls wild and eyes wide.
“Do you see her?” she asked, passing me up as she headed for the living area. “She answered me just now, in my head, but she just said close.”
“I haven’t gone to look, but I heard her bark.”
“Ramsey!” Phin yelled, jogging down one row as the bark came again. “Where are you?”
A foreboding washed over me and I ran after her. Two gates activated at the same time, and I reached Phin’s side just as Ramsey emerged from one door, paws touching the floor for just a beat before she disappeared again through the one across from it.
“Phin, get behind me,” I warned, pushing her gently with my outstretched arm. “Actually, go get the mirror from the table next to my chair, please.”
She frowned at me but took several steps down the hall. “Can you hear something I can’t?”
I shook my head. “No, but something is wrong. Go, please. Quickly.”
Phin’s disappointment was palpable, but there must have been something in my expression that spurred her to obey my request with expedience. She returned quickly and handed over the mirror.
“What’s going on?”
“I’m not sure, but I want to warn the others, just in case.”
The hall remained quiet, and Phin grew fidgety. “I’m going to run and get dressed. Do you need anything else?”
“No, thank you, Feather.”
I spoke the words to activate the mirror, and Seir appeared in the glass, his face swaying with his movements. “I’m on my way through to you,” he grinned. “Need me to bring something?”
“Is there anything odd happening there? Or in the ruins?”
His face fell, hearing my serious tone. “Not that I know of, but I can check. Just a moment.” I heard the heavy sound of his wings deploying, the ground racing through the glass as he flew directly there.
Coltor and what looked like dozens of stone kin were all milling about near the doorways in the ruins.
“Ramsey just jumped gates here,” I said plainly. “Do you have anything similar happening there?”
Coltor’s expression was intense. He looked tired.
“Multiple portals lit up briefly. I’m about to send some teams in to investigate.
” His eyes turned skyward. “The sky is an odd color, and everyone is extra nervy today. I’m thinking Rylan’s prediction was correct.
” He held up a shiny new blade. “Imogen has delivered a whole batch of Dark blades, so we’re well equipped. D’Arcan got theirs as well.”
“I’ll bring yours,” Seir said, accepting sheathed blades from one of the soldiers.
“Good. Can you leave the mirror with Coltor, Seir? Show him how to use it? I have two here, so we’ll both still have one.”
“Yes, good idea.”
“Hurry.”
He nodded and disappeared from the glass in my hand, my blood surging anxiously the longer the portals were quiet. When nothing happened, I returned to the kitchen just as Phin came out of her room, fully dressed and very anxious.
“Did she come back?”
“Not yet. You should eat.” I couldn’t shake the sense that something big was coming, and that everything would be disrupted. Normally, eclipses brought some odd energy shifts, but nothing I couldn’t manage. Perhaps I just knew more going into it this time, but this felt very different.
The whine of the portal to the glade sounded, and I called out once I heard Seir’s footsteps. “We’re in the kitchen. There’s breakfast.”
Seir strode through a few moments later, Phin hastily dispatching her toast and eggs. I’d brewed the tea so long ago it was barely warm enough to drink, but I still poured us all a cup.
“How exciting, I never get invited into the kitchen.” His normal enthusiasm was missing. “Everything feels … strange. Do you think that’s just the eclipse?”
“You feel it too?” Phin asked and we both nodded. She sagged. “I’m so glad. I thought it was just me.”
“No, something’s coming.” Seir nodded, his three sets of canines already elongated.
“I feel like my skin is too tight or something. I’m itchy, full of energy with nowhere to put it.
” He shrugged, trying to rid himself of the sensation.
“Anyway, here. Coltor said Imogen sends her apologies, she normally likes to deliver these herself, but she’s patrolling at the conclave today.
Things are odd there too. Rylan’s even got the observatory open at d’Arcan despite the cold, and he and Vassago are taking turns watching the portal.
” Seir handed Phin the smallest of the sheaths.
“What’s this?”
“Imogen told Coltor that this one is yours, specifically.” He watched, clearly interested as Phin opened the toggle and pulled out a dagger.
There was a polished ball of amethyst embedded in the rounded pommel at the end of the handle.
The blade itself looked almost marbled, dark and light metals blended to make a blade yet not fully merged.
“It’s beautiful. I’ll have to thank her for it. I’m afraid it’s wasted on me though, my weapons skills are very weak.”
“We can practice,” I assured her, already developing a training workshop in my mind where we could safely spar. Lots of cushions and mats, wooden training swords. Her handling me roughly and with determination on her face … I quickly shut down the lascivious ideas my mind readily supplied.
“He was very insistent I tell you to be very careful not to cut yourself with it.” He grew serious. “I’ve seen what one of these blades will do to a fae.” He swallowed as he stared at her hand. “Please be mindful.”
“I will, I promise.” She slid it back into the protective leather covering. “The belt is very short, where is it supposed to go?”
“That looks like a thigh holster, Feather.”
“Oh.” She experimented with how to fasten it over the top of her leggings while I examined the stout Dark blade Seir handed me. “That makes sense.”
“Angels, then?”
“That’s the suspicion,” he confirmed.
A gate activated with a painfully high-pitched whine just as Phin got the sheath comfortable on her thigh. Without a word, I left the kitchen, Phin and Seir following behind me.
I got to the hall just in time to see two men and one woman, all with violet eyes, step out of a decommissioned doorway.
The portal they were using led to a green place much like Florissar, a place nobody lived or ever visited, where even animal life was scarce.
Somewhere nobody, them included, should be.
It was almost as though saying the word angel had summoned them.
I unsheathed my new sword, holding it out in front of me as a warning as I approached them at a fast walk.
Hold, Watchman! Ramsey dashed out the doorway a few beats after them, stopping me from charging forward with violent intent. I brought them here. They are not your enemy.
Phin pushed past me as I lowered the blade, kneeling to accept an enthusiastic greeting from the hellhound as the three Nephilim huddled together watching us.
“I’m so happy to see you.” Phin squeezed Ramsey again, then got to her feet, eyes widening as she took in the three people who looked quite a lot like her. She backed up to my side, the hound maintaining a post between us.
“Hello.” The woman raised a hand in a timid wave.
Her voice was low and resonant, like it encapsulated the tone of bells when they rang.
She had the same silvery blonde hair Phin had, but long enough to be tied back in a loose braid that ended between her shoulder blades.
“We’re Nephilim, if that helps. Not full angels. We’re not armed, either.”
I felt Seir approaching from behind me, and his presence was confirmed when all three took a small step backward.
The three of them, upon closer inspection, seemed weak and hungry. They would be no match against two demon princes armed with Dark blades. I sheathed the new sword and turned my focus to the hound.
“Is there anything else coming out of that doorway?”
Not that I’m aware of, Watchman.
I approached the portal and deactivated it manually, just in case. “Ramsey, it would be helpful if you could explain,” I prompted, eyes never leaving the three half-angels.
“Is that her name? Ramsey?” the woman asked.
Phin nodded. “Yes.”
“She’s lovely.” The woman’s eyes dropped to the hound. “It’s been a bit difficult communicating, since none of us have the gift of mind speech. But she’s gotten her point across well enough.”
The corner of my mouth ticked upward when the dark-haired man shifted and ran his palm over his forearm. I was betting there were some teeth marks under his sleeve.
I wasn’t overly upset about that, and I worried what that said about me.
I was wrong, all this time. Please extend them some grace, they deserve it. But they have some things to atone for as well. Do not mistake my kindness for total forgiveness.
“You’re sure?” I asked the hound. Phin met my eye, clearly hearing the same thing I was.
Yes. I was chasing them, and naturally, they were running from me. They are incredible at maneuvering portals and staying hidden, but not because they are hunting Phin, though they were seeking her out.
“Is that not the same thing?” Phin asked.
No, it’s not. They are trying to stay hidden, to survive. Just like you. Give them a chance to explain.
Phin took half a step forward, focus etched in her face as she looked between them as though trying to solve a puzzle. “Oh. You’re some of the others from that day. From the garden.”
Immediately my blood went hot.
I didn’t even realize I was growling, wings wide and full demon features on display until I felt Seir’s strong grip on my shoulder holding me back and heard Phin’s voice calling my name.
“Stop! Tap! No, it’s okay!”
I glanced from the now terrified Nephilim to my sweet mate and inhaled slowly as her palms came to the sides of my face. Her touch chased the rage back. It was not gone, but I could easily manage it.