Chapter Forty #3
“I’ll handle Craos. My focus will be on destroying the gateway, not just sealing it. So, the armies will need to fight the Shadowbane to buy me enough time.”
I tapped my finger along areas of the map with authority.
“I want missiles, and any other heavy artillery available, stationed here and here. On these ridges. Fire at the gate the moment Craos appears. Hit him with everything you’ve got.
It won’t kill him, but it might slow him down or weaken him and give me an advantage. ”
I pursed my lips as I studied the maps. “Floodlights. Lots of them. Along these ridges. I’m betting the Shadowbane don’t like any light that isn’t fire. They’ve always shown themselves at night. We’ll flood the battlefield with it. Take every advantage we can.”
I pointed to an area near the Yew, between the ridges.
“Owen and I will make our stand here. The Yew must be protected at all costs. Freya, Shamus, and Shae will reach out to as many Druids as they can. I know the powers of modern-day Druids are latent, but perhaps the Yew can do something about that. Maybe, if they’re supplied with protective equipment, they can help the military personnel fight the Shadowbane.
“And we’ll need a large area around the battlefield evacuated. Possibly as far as Glasgow and Inverness. The effects of Craos breaching the Veil could be far reaching. And we should make use of Loch Tay. If the Earth is countering Craos with water, then we should, too. What does everyone think?”
Not even a murmur of agreement. Shit. I must have delivered a terrible plan.
I glanced up to find fifteen awestruck faces all aimed in my direction. Well, fourteen. Owen smiled at me with so much love and pride that I blushed and looked away.
Hargraves’s eyes bulged from his head, which delighted me. But even more importantly, I noticed something else in each of the faces looking at me: hope. And as Charles would say, sometimes that was even better than a plan.
Jace finally broke the silence by clearing his throat. “Er, Kira, you ever consider a career in the military?”
Someone slid a business card across the table at me, and I caught the words CAF Military Consulting before Owen took my hand and drew me to his side.
“That’ll be all. I trust the rest of you can see to the details of this plan?”
He didn’t wait for an answer before striding from the room, and I had to jog to keep up. We rounded a corner on the garden path, and Owen stopped abruptly, taking me into his arms and kissing me thoroughly. When he finally pulled back, we were both breathing hard and wanting more.
“Now, that’s a good-morning greeting,” he murmured, stealing another quick kiss like he couldn’t stop himself.
“I didn’t think my battle strategy was that good,” I joked.
“Your strategy was excellent for a civilian. Your delivery was perfect.”
He kissed me again then led me quickly by hand through the garden.
“Where are we going?” I asked. “Shouldn’t you oversee the plan? You love working out the details. I’m surprised you left it to the others. Not sure I trust Hargraves to manage a coffee maker, let alone a battle strategy.” I glanced behind me, frowning.
“Hargraves will be replaced later today. I’m calling my father.”
“You are?” I stopped, and Owen turned to me.
“Jace was right. Hargraves is going to get us all killed. And—” His voice turned hard, his eyes flinty, but his hand on my cheek was gentle. “—he threatened you, love. Nobody threatens you.”
Owen was setting aside family differences for me. A lump formed at the back of my throat.
“What if the military won’t allow your father to come?” I asked as Owen resumed walking again, and I half jogged to keep up.
“No one says no to my father. You’ll understand if you meet him. I’m more concerned he won’t agree to help.”
“You’re his son. Why wouldn’t he?”
Owen slowed. “He said he wouldn’t come for me.
After Ava died, when I was in and out of jail.
The last time I was in there, he said he wouldn’t come for me again.
Soon after that Granddad sat me down, and we talked, and I was able to turn my life around, so I never ended up behind bars again.
But those words have stayed with me. Our relationship has been strained ever since.
If he doesn’t come, we’ll find someone else. Anyone but Hargraves.”
Owen led me to our cottage and took the porch stairs two at a time.
“Right now, though, Hargraves and battle plans do not concern me. Making love to you as soon as possible does.” He held the door open for me and led me quickly to our bedroom.
Delight spread through me as he ripped his shirt over his head. The rest of his clothing quickly followed. “Owen Grant. Are you choosing spontaneity over planning?”
“Yes.” Owen stalked toward me, and I lifted my arms so he could remove my shirt. “And I find I rather like it. But I’d also like to plan to spend every morning lying in bed with you. I hate when you leave early.”
“Sounds good to me,” I said, almost tripping over a pant leg in my haste to remove my remaining clothes.
Owen took me into his arms, and neither of us made another plan for a long time.