Chapter 9
Kipa and I were taking Raj on his promised walk through UnderLake Park. Ashera had joined us for dinner and now we were enjoying the evening breeze, though I smelled rain on the incoming wind.
“What do you think of all of this?” I asked.
Ashera frowned. “I think…there’s trouble brewing.”
“Do you really think the Aqcarians are out to take over?” Kipa asked. “They could never rule the land.”
“It’s not just them,” Ashera said. “I talked to Ember shortly before joining you for dinner. She talked to Morgana. There are whispers in the Fae Community that factions are breaking off from the Light and Dark Courts. They’re no longer acknowledging the powers of Névé and Saílle.”
“Oh, great. Not another Tuathan Brotherhood,” I said.
“No, this is worse,” Ashera said. “They feel the Fae Queens have compromised too much.”
“You know that neither of the Fae queens will put up with that.” Kipa shook his head. “Infighting among the Fae has always been bad news, because it always spills out into the rest of the world.”
“Unfortunately, the Fae we’re talking about are the more chaotic, dangerous branches. I know the kelpies are among them.” Ashera glanced at me. “Have you heard anything about this from the Ante-Fae?”
I shook my head. “No, but I’ll be calling my father tonight. He might know. And my mother, as well. Did Ember say anything else?”
“She mentioned that the rumors are true: the Elemental Fae have contacted Morgana. They’re coming out of hiding soon.
This is going to turn the world upside down because, again, they refuse to acknowledge the power of Saílle and Névé.
” Ashera stretched, then shook her head.
“This could be worse than when Typhon woke up. The Fae are part of this world in a way the Dragonni have never been. They can wreak more havoc, I think.”
“Maybe…” I said, thinking. “I suppose we’ll just have to wait and see what happens.
Meanwhile, I gather the mayor has ordered that no small boats are allowed out on the water until those octopuses are found and relocated or destroyed.
And all piers and marinas must add extra security to the docks.
Herne warned them they needed to do that, and for once, they’re listening. ”
“That won’t help,” Ashera said. “The Aqcarians aren’t normal sea creatures.
And neither are those monsters who tried to grab hold of me.
The moment I tangled with them, I could tell.
They’re dangerous and sly, and they’re far more sentient than any regular octopus.
I know they’re highly intelligent, and I suspect they’re working for somebody.
Whether as guards or scouts, I don’t know. ”
“I guess we’ll find out,” I said, stopping as a wave of damp air swept past. “Can you smell the rain? It must be a huge storm headed this way—”
“It is,” Kipa said. “It’s due to arrive tomorrow night. High winds and heavy rains. In fact, the meteorologists are puzzled. This is a November storm…in August. I’ll make certain our power supplies are charged and ready.”
“Something’s coming in on the storm,” I said. “I can feel it. Something dark and huge and overwhelming.”
Raj darted ahead of us, stopping to sniff a bush. He then bounced around, heading over to one of the towering firs where he lifted his leg to pee. He peed like any large dog.
After a few moments, we came to a crossroads, and turned inward, toward the heart of the park.
We were safe enough; I knew that logically.
But in my heart, I realized that we were standing at a juncture in life—and no matter what route we took, we were walking into danger.
I shifted closer to Kipa, and he slid one arm around me.
“Should we keep walking?” he asked.
All I could think was to answer yes, because no matter whether we stood still or walked on, danger was coming to meet us, and there was nowhere to hide.