Chapter 15
Ran with all I had, acid tears building behind my eyes, guilt pulsing through my veins instead of blood.
When I made it inside the manor I continued to run, darting from room to room, looking for Doran.
Her chambers were empty. The meet room was empty.
Finally, I skidded to a stop in a small dining room.
Doran and Bevin were eating. They stopped, alarmed by the abrupt intrusion on the quiet meal.
I was too winded to speak. I stood there shaking, hair dripping on the clean floor, mind frantic as to what to say, where to start, how to explain.
Doran ushered me to a chair and took my face in her hands. “What is it, child?” Her eyes filled with the fear I felt. “Tell me.”
I couldn’t stop the tears but managed to say, “The Slaugh have Abbey!” before my tears became a ranting, incoherent sob. Bevin gasped.
Doran knelt in front of me after issuing some orders to other house Imps who had gathered at the commotion. She brushed some hair tenderly from my face. “Slow down, Keena. Start from the beginning and tell me all of it.” She handed me a glass of water but I pushed it away.
“I got her killed!” I wailed and started in with the hideous crying again.
Tynan and Manus came rushing in. Seeing Tynan made me feel even worse and I fell into his arms as he took Doran’s place at my feet.
“Abbey!” I said to him as he lifted me up and sat, cradling me like a child.
“They have Abbey! We have to go get her!”
He shushed me gently. “Tell us what happened, Ma Guerrière.” He sat back in the chair and held me to his chest. “How did Abbey get hurt?”
Taking in a harsh breath, I told them the story—from finding the book to the long hours forming a plan. I watched their faces as I spoke. Doran looked mortified, Bevin was pacing frantically. When I got the part about the coral dive, Doran interrupted.
“So she fell into the sea?”
“No!” Anger took over and I stood up from Tynan’s lap. “She wasn’t even close to the water’s edge while I was diving. I saw a Slaugh standing on the water. At least that’s where I thought it was. Then the light shifted and I could make out the boat. Her boat.”
“What are you saying, Keena?” Doran asked carefully, already knowing exactly whom I was talking about. She was making sure I understood. Treachery was a punishable offense. Physical punishment.
“I’m saying that Feldema was on her boat with a Slaugh and they had Abbey. I saw it with my own eyes! I’m saying they were taking Abbey to Thule. Feldema gave the Slaugh your house Imp!” I shook with the words as I stuttered them out.
Doran sat back down. “We thought she was talking with them outside of the meets, but I never imagined—”
“Well imagine it!” I snapped, anger completely replacing my grief. “We have to get Abbey back before they hurt her.”
“What were you thinking?” Bevin asked. “Planning to go over there? You could have been killed or hurt yourself. I have told you time and time again you—”
“I’m too important to the Kith to be reckless.” I finished the speech for her with a flippant tone. “I know. But I can’t just leave my father there to be tortured! He’s part of the Kith too. He deserves—”
“Bevin’s right,” Tynan said.
“Fine. I was stupid. I shouldn’t have done it.
Punish me, whatever—but we have to get Abbey!
” No one said anything. “Tynan?” He gave me a supportive look but made no move to indicate he would go.
“Doran, you can’t mean we won’t do anything for her?
” I had come to them for help. They should be jumping into action—and instead they all just looked at me.
“I’m sorry, Keena,” Doran said. “We can’t go to the island. It is an ancient truce that I can’t break—and neither can you.”
“They’ve been here!” I shouted, starting to panic again. I knew the political implications of breaking a truce. It could cause an all-out war between the islands.
“Only when invited. I will talk to Bran, Keena, but—”
“What about my sister? She was with a Slaugh…she was part of the kidnapping!”
I moved to stand face-to-face with Doran.
I continued, my voice shaking, “Priestess, what of her treachery?” If I couldn’t do anything to the Slaugh then my sister would pay.
“She has been conspiring with the Slaugh against me. Maybe even the ones who attacked us in Castle Dracula. What is to be done with her?” My tone was formal, and I carefully used words that Doran would use.
I was accusing Feldema of a horrible crime, and Doran would deal with her as was decreed by our law. It would not be pretty.
A tiny smile started to curl one side of her lip. “I will deal with the traitor as should be done. If I can get any information on Abbey in the process, I will give it to you.” She spun on her heels and started to leave but stopped before reaching the door, turned to me.
She stood silent for a moment, thinking.
“Don’t worry, Keena. I don’t think they’ll kill our Abbey.
I will contact Bran and let him know she will be a valuable bargaining tool.
But know this, Keena—Feldema and her supporters will be angry that you requested her punishment.
When it is done, she will be even more likely to make the time between now and October difficult for everyone.
It will be widely known that she is willingly aiding the Slaugh.
There will be much division on WildLand, much for us all to manage politically.
“You are a smart Witch, as was your mother. I give you this one opportunity to change your mind.”
Well, that was a hint if there ever was one.
Obviously, I needed to slow down and consider what it meant.
I ran the possibilities through my mind, pacing as I did so.
If Feldema used her punishment to sway those opposed to protecting the humans, it would be bad for the Kith and mankind.
I could simply allow this to pass and deal with her myself.
“It could be to my advantage to not expose her publicly.” Doran straightened as I spoke.
“It will bring less danger to the Kith, to me…and possibly Abbey?”
A slight nod showed that she was pleased that I understood.
“I won’t accuse her now—but”—I went to my knee—“I request to make my claim for the next battle, Aunt.”
She let a knowing smile curl her lips. “Yes, Keena?”
“I make my claim to choose the site of the All Hallows’ battle. I wish to fight her in the forest. I choose blades and magic for the duel.”
“Agreed.” She started to leave again.
“I also request that the battle be for the vengeance of Abbey.” She stopped in the doorway, not turning to face me.
Tynan stood and Bevin did her usual gasp. “No—” Manus began.
“She has made the request,” Doran said, holding her hand up for silence. Still not turning, she asked, “Keena, are you sure? Do you think you have it in you to avenge Abbey? Can you kill your sister? Even with the knowledge of her treachery…you will have to kill her with your own hands.”
I stood again. “If I leave her alive, her treachery will endanger the Kith and humans. Her death will weaken the Gremlins and ensure the Slaugh have no favor with the council.”
She turned to me finally, but I couldn’t read her face. “Then so be it, my niece. It is set.” She bowed to me and took her leave, off to find my sister, no doubt.
Manus slammed his fist into the wall after Doran left. Plaster fell to the floor in a cloud of crumbled powder and dust, and he cursed Feldema’s title. Tynan was still standing, flabbergasted, at my side.
I went to Manus first. “Do you doubt me?” I asked sternly. “I have no choice, Manus, and I need your confidence now.”
“I’m afraid for you. Feldema has always done whatever she wishes, with no regard for rules or honor…”
I tried to get him to look me in the eyes. He wouldn’t. “Manus, you’ve pushed me when I’ve needed it, scolded me, even spoiled me. Now, I need you to support me. I need your faith. I need your bravery and your wisdom. Speak your fears.”
“I fear the prophecy is wrong.”
Bevin flew at him, gripping his arms tightly. “Wrong, Manus! How could it be wrong?”
“It’s old, passed down. It could be as wrong as any other!” he snapped back at her.
She was up on her toes, her wrinkled face so close to his she could have kissed him.
“You chose to give your oath to Keena and her mother. If you haven’t the stomach to be a guardian to a priestess, then say so.
And if you have truly lost faith in the prophecy we’ve held as hope for our people, then take your leave! ”
Manus cringed at her seething words. “I can’t watch her die,” he said softly. “I have faith, Bevin, but I… The fate of many rests with Keena and the training we’ve given her. What if I’ve failed her? I fear—”
“You have failed nothing, Shifter.” She called him by his species name to pinch at his pride. “You have helped to sculpt a fierce Witch warrior and she will prevail. She will claim her birthright.”
“Manus.” I pulled his shoulders until he had no choice but to look at me. “I will take Feldema down. I need you. You’re the heart of my strength. Without your faith, that heart beats no more—and I will fail.”
His face tightened at the thought. “I have faith. Forgive me. I just can’t bear the thought of losing you.” He looked at Tynan.
The hulking Greek soldier looked equally worried.
I realized that the implications were even graver for him than for Manus.
I couldn’t bear the anxiety in his face.
I hated everything about my new life at that moment.
Mostly, I hated Feldema. “I’m going to my chambers,” I said and took Tynan’s hand.
“Manus, please have Hogan leave me alone tonight.” I was still caught up in the formality that Doran always brought out in me. My language was abrupt and stern.
He nodded and ran his hand through his hair. “Keena, I only meant I would be devastated for death to come to you. I meant no lack of commitment.”
I kissed him on the lips and left with a glance to Bevin.