Aedus was still moaning and crying out in the Fae language. His chest wound was bleeding again and his skin was too cool to the touch,
Liam was next to him, trying to slow down the bleeding, but it was obvious Liam was in bad shape himself. I looked at Garrett. “I’m taking Aedus and Liam to Faerie. I’ll be back. Please make sure that Bridgett and Samson are okay.”
“Jackie...how…?”
I turned to Liam. “Hold your brother.” He did what I asked while I grabbed his hand and suddenly we were in the magical heat of the lines and I was full of the power that would carry me wherever I wished to go. It was a heady sensation, but I didn’t have time to be impressed with myself. We appeared on the platform in the field where the Midsummer Solstice Ceremony had taken place. Fae milled around, looking shocked at first, then concerned. Lord Caelen appeared instantly and I watched his face turned ashen.
“Kennet got away. He’s done something to Aedus’ mind. Liam has some serious wounds, but should heal. I’ll try to help Aedus, but I have to go back to get Garrett.” Lord Caelen looked at two fae standing beside him, dressed in the usual blue tunics. One strode over to me and touched my arm. I saw his eyes glaze over and then he disappeared along with the other one.
“I’ve sent them to retrieve Garrett.”
“Bridgett and Samson are with him.”
“It’s unimportant.” He gestured to several other fae who gently picked up Liam and Aedus and took them away.
“Will you show me what happened?” I knew that he wanted me to open my mind to him, so I reached out to touch his hand, closing my eyes and lowering my wall. After a minute I heard him say, “Ah, I see now.” He squeezed my hand and I opened my eyes.
“When my sons are well and Kennet is in chains we will talk about all that has occurred. Right now, I must ask for your help. I understand you need to rest.” He glanced at my bandages. “You’ve experienced—”
“Lord Caelen, I’ll stay. I’ll do everything I can to help them. I can sleep later.”
I saw relief flash in his eyes. “Thank you. You must excuse me. I must meet with the Cascade Elders to organize a Hunt.”
An icy shiver froze my blood as I understood his meaning. A Wild Hunt.
Another fae in a blue tunic took me to a room where I was able to quickly shower and change into clean clothes. Garrett arrived and I lost myself for a few minutes in his embrace and his sweet kisses. I reluctantly pushed myself away and asked, “Where’s Bridgett and Samson?”
“They’re sleeping in the room next door.” I turned away from him and moved toward the door. As fast as the wind he was in front of me, blocking it. “Where are you going? You can’t leave now. I’ve just gotten you back.” He smiled and ran his knuckles along my jaw, stroking my cheek.
“Take a shower and feed, Garrett. I’m going to tend to Aedus and Liam.” He actually looked hurt, not because of what I’d said but because of the sharp way I’d said it. I leaned against him. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I have too much inside me. So many things I have to tell you, I’m ready to explode. I just have to make sure they’ll be okay. I promised Lord Caelen. I love you so much. Don’t be hurt.”
I kissed him again more deeply, letting him know I really wanted to stay. This time he made the move to brake away, whispering in my ear,” Je t’aime, mon ange. I’ll look for you later in one of their rooms.” He pulled off his shirt and headed toward the shower. It took a lot of willpower to turn around and head out the door, but I did it.
Liam was sleeping and recovering well, so I kissed his cheek and spoke softly, “Thank you.” As I was about to reach for the door handle, it opened and Liam’s lovely red-headed companion walked in. She smiled at me and bowed her head slightly, so I bowed back as a sign of respect. “I am Kellaine, Liam’s friend. I saw you at the Midsummer Ceremony, but did not have the opportunity to introduce myself.” She held out her hand and I shook it, surprised at the human gesture.
“I’m Jackie. It’s very nice to finally meet you.”
“Thank you, Jackie. It is a pleasure for me as well.” She smiled and walked over to Liam’s bed to sit down and hold his hand. “He says he values your friendship greatly.”
“I feel the same way. I’m going to Aedus’ room now.”
Her expression turned very serious and she nodded. “I hope you can help him.”
“Thank you.”
As I walked in the direction of Aedus’ room I heard a loud noise. It was the rumble of a large instrument, perhaps a horn? Its deep vibrations ripped through my body and I shuddered with dread. It was the sound of a death knell and my first horrified thought was that Aedus had died. Several fae rushed past me in the corridor, so I followed them through the magical hallway of light and color to a scene out of a medieval play.
Lord Caelen sat atop a white Arabian steed, handsome beyond description, his hair loose and his expression fierce. His solid gold eyes reflected the moon’s light and gave him an eerie appearance. There was nothing about his manner to remind me of the kind elder who had visited me when I was ill, or the gracious host who’d invited us to share dinner and the Midsummer Solstice Ceremony with him and his family. His face was a mask of grief and rage.
Surrounding him were other stern-looking fae on horseback, male and female. I saw the sisters, Brina and Kaera, Lord Argon and Lady Jorrenn, as well as many others. They were dressed alike in long black tunics, black cloaks and black leggings with high black leather boots. They carried swords and spears and looked like the devil’s own army. Another very tall figure, shrouded and hooded in black and sitting atop an enormous black steed, appeared on the road and waited for them, his huge horse snorting and pawing the ground. Caelen looked at the specter who commanded the enormous steed and nodded with solemn respect. The stranger did not nod back. Huge black dogs with red eyes began to mill about the stranger’s horse, growling and nipping at each other.
Caelen looked at me with a dark intensity that made me automatically back up a couple of steps. “You have the right to come with us, Jacqueline. You have been greatly wronged by him.”
“I’ll stay here and do what I can for Aedus. He risked his life for me.” I looked at Garrett who’d finished his shower and run upstairs, curious about the noise. “I’d like you to take Garrett and Samson with you, if they’ll go.
I watched as conflicting emotions flicked across my mate’s face and eyes. He was afraid to leave me, yet he wanted very badly to bring in the monster who’d taken me. “I can’t leave you.”
Reaching out with my hand, I tried to reassure him. “I’m with the fae in Faerie. Liam will be well soon. I need you to capture Kennet so I don’t have to look for him in every dark corner for the rest of my life. Just come back safely and don’t try to be heroic.” I leaned in to whisper to him. “You’re already my hero.” I nuzzled his ear and we kissed right there in front of the entire spooky Wild Hunt. Many of them laughed, but I didn’t care.
Farrell brought Garrett a horse, and like a prince in a fairy tale, he leapt gracefully into the saddle and turned toward me, grinning. I laughed. “Okay, that was pretty cool.” I tried to sound nonchalant but failed miserably. “Be careful, please?”
“Je t’adore ma petit guépard. I’ll be back very soon.” His eyes twinkled and I felt a pleasant tingly sensation all over my body. It wouldn’t be soon enough for me.