I grinned. “Sorry, Wally.”
“Apologize to me, missy!” Aethelred said. “It takes quite a bit of effort to drag my old bones over here, so I’ll be taking the credit, thank you very much.”
I grinned at him. “Of course. My bad.”
“Let’s do this in front of the fire.” He rubbed his back. “Getting a bit cold for me these days.”
Tarron stood and dragged two chairs over to the fire.
Connor rose and walked to Aethelred. He carried his bag and rooted around inside for something. He stopped in front of us and pulled out a tiny vial that he handed to Aethelred. “Take this. It’ll soothe your bones.”
Aethelred squinted at it, looking suspicious. “You’re not trying to poison me, are you, young man?”
Connor sputtered and Aethelred laughed.
The old man slapped him on the arm. “Just joshing, my boy.”
Connor stopped sputtering, but he still looked awkward.
I nudged my old friend. “Say thank you, Aethelred.”
“Thank you, boy.” He uncorked the vial and swigged it back, then coughed. “Tastes like a dumpster.”
Connor grinned. “That’s how you know it’s the real thing.”
Aethelred stopped coughing and gave Connor a glare. “A little mint wouldn’t hurt, you know.”
I grimaced. “Mint garbage?”
“Better than plain garbage.”
“We’ll have to debate the merits of flavored garbage another time.” I started toward the fire. “We’ve got a future to be seeing.”
Aethelred joined me at the two chairs. We both sat, and the others gathered around. Tarron kept a few feet back from, seeming uncomfortable.
My heart ached for him. It was clear that he was worried that the queen’s influence would overcome him.
“What are you looking for, my dear?” Aethelred asked. “I got the impression it has to do with your mother and this young man here.” He nodded at Tarron. “But what specifically?”
“I need to figure out how to grow strong enough to heal Tarron and overthrow the false queen. She rules the Unseelie Court, but it is a reign of terror.”
Aethelred nodded. “Two worthy goals.”
Yeah, but finding the solution to both seemed impossible. Especially since I wanted them done ASAP.
He held out his gnarled hand, and I took it. Waves of his magic rolled over me, and I closed my eyes, calling upon my power. My magic rose within me, filling my soul.
I cast my mind into the future, asking my questions. Aethelred’s power flowed into me, making my gift stronger.
As usual, the strange white clouds filled my mind’s eye. Images rolled through, shadows amongst the clouds.
One called to me, and I approached. Through the mist, several figures appeared. Three of them stayed in the mist, but one approached so I could see her. She had crimson skin, bright as rubies, and wore a black gown that matched her ebony hair. Her face was indistinct, and massive amounts of power wafted off of her.
“Who are you?” I asked.
“Come to us.” She raised her hand and sliced a blade across her palm.
White blood dripped to the ground.
I gasped.
Only one type of species had white blood.
Dragon Bloods.
I had to find the original Dragon Bloods.
4
But how did I find the original Dragon Bloods? And where?
The question made more clouds appear, more shadowy figures. The Dragon Bloods disappeared, and I was drawn toward another section of clouds. A massive building appeared in front of me, shadowed and mysterious.
The place was in ruins, but it was impossible to mistake. Tall pillars, amazing archways, long avenues of grass.
Rievaulx Abbey.
It was unmistakable. The enormous, ancient monastical structure was located in Northern England.
But why did I need to go there? I saw no Dragon Bloods amongst the ancient ruins. Just a few monks in plain cloaks.
Answers.
The white clouds faded, and I opened my eyes. Flames flickered in the hearth, and silence reigned.
Aethelred caught my gaze. “Well? What did you see?”
“The Dragon Bloods. It makes so much sense. I got most of my magic from them. And I need more. So of course we need to go to them.”
Aeri still looked uncertain. “And you think they’ll make you more like your mother?”
“They could make me stronger. Strong enough to drive away Tarron’s curse and to defeat the false queen. Dragon Blood can make more magic. I didn’t have enough—or mine isn’t good enough, maybe—to gain the power to heal Tarron. But they could have that power.”
“I’m not sure I like the sound of this,” Aeri said.
“Do you have another plan?”
“No, damn it.” She frowned. “Where are they?”
“I don’t know. But I saw Rievaulx Abbey.”
“The ruins?” Tarron asked. “The Dragon Bloods live there?”
“No, I think there will be answers there about how to find them.”
“Yeah, I don’t think it’s meant to be easy,” Aeri said. “They’ve always been basically…mythical.”
“Yeah,” Claire said. “If I hadn't met you guys, I’d still be skeptical.”
“If this is our plan, we need to go right away,” Aeri said.
“You should lock me up while you’re gone,” Tarron said. “Leave a guard.”
I glared. “Hell no. You have to come with us.”
He frowned. “It’s too dangerous for you to be around me.”
My heart ached at the pain in his voice. “It’ll be fine. You need to be there in case they can give me enough power to cure you.”
“How do you know you’ll find the cure there?” he asked.
“I feel it. The way that I feel anything that is true in my visions.” It was mostly true. I could sense that something important would happen there—I just prayed that it would be fixing Tarron.
His jaw tightened. “I’ll go. I admit that I want to keep my soul. But it needs to be more than just you and me.” His gaze moved to Aeri. “Come with us. Please. I can feel the false queen’s grip on my soul. If this temporary antidote stops working and I succumb, I don’t want Mari to be alone with me.” His gaze moved to Declan. “You, too.”
I knew what Tarron was thinking. He was immensely powerful. If he lost control of himself, he wanted someone there who wouldn’t hesitate to take him out. I would definitely hesitate. Aeri probably would, too, because she knew I loved him.
Declan wouldn’t hesitate.
He liked me, but he’d be more inclined to keep me alive and worry about the state of my heart later.
“I insist.” Tarron’s tone was firm. “Please.”
“We’ll do it,” Aeri said.
“Thank you.” I looked at Declan. “We need someone to keep an eye on the false queen. To make connections with the Resistance, if possible. Because once we’re done with the Dragon Bloods, I’m coming for her.”
“I can send Luna,” Tarron said.
Claire leaned forward. “Connor and I can help.”