The pungent scent prompted Elijah Stone to protest. Anson took Elijah’s arm, pulled him back while the witch stared into the smoke and the rest of us tried not to inhale too deeply.
Finally, she said, “The witch, Pelonie, has been nulled by the effigy.” Words that collapsed the air in the room. “She can no longer wield the seidr magic.”
Meaning stabbed and my lip curled back. “You risked Noa for your own purposes?”
“A minor risk.” The witch’s stare chilled. “I left the effigy knowing she would succeed, and she severed the first half of the circle. Now she has the rune stone, with one cut remaining. Worth every cost if it nulls the sins of the kings and queens. We have also suffered these past centuries because of the misused magic. The disaster must end.”
“And how are we ending it?”
The witch’s power flared. “She has the queen’s rune. I believe she has enough knowledge to wield the magic. To do what must be done.”
I gritted my teeth. “We’re still miles from Amal’s fortress. We have to get inside—”
“All of which I’ve foreseen. You alone will get her close enough to do it. No one else will have the strength to go against Amal.”
“I plan on doing just that.”
“You walk a path you cannot change.”
“Everyone dies,” I countered coldly.
“Make yours a good death, wolf.”
“Fuck me,” Mace snarled.
But the High Sorceress for the Gemini Witches was gone, leaving only the scent of burning, hostile herbs behind.
I was pushing spare clothes into a backpack when Fallon reentered the tent. Everyone else had left after Arra Sona disappeared: Anson to plan his moves with the primary force, and Mace to select his team. Limited to volunteers only. We would move swiftly, and once the hostages were rescued, we’d strike without mercy. Push on toward Amal.
We all carried clothes since shifting was likely. Let the wolves tear into those holding ours.
Reports were sketchy, but Amal’s conscripts guarded the hostages. Cariboo men who either sided willingly with Amal or were forced into compliance. They’d made camp five miles ahead. A hard but fast race despite the snow.
“Gray,” my second in command said, her voice low and controlled. “It’s almost time.”
I swung the pack from the cot, hooked the shoulder straps. “I’m leaving you in charge. Be ready when the hostages return. You know what to do. I’ll be going on, and you know…” I cleared my throat. “You know—”
“I know you love me. And I’ll watch over Noa because that goes without saying.”
I turned to face Fallon, read the tense pain written all over her face. “You’re the sister of my heart. If I don’t come back—”
“No!” she hissed. “Don’t you fucking give me your last words, Gray. Don’t stand there telling me to pick up the pieces of what used to be Mace. Don’t fucking speak that future into being just because some seer comes in here and says that shit of hers. I want to see the strength and determination in your face. The goodness. I want to see you striding off to battle and know we’ll see each other on the other side.”
Tears were streaming down her face.
I leaned in, cupped the back of her head, and kissed her forehead.
“Gray.”
I didn’t answer, only managed a smile, offering everything she wanted before I turned and walked out the door.
CHAPTER 33
Grayson
We made good time, in silence, other than the whispering slide of snowshoes through the snow, an awkward dragging as we pushed forward. Walking without snowshoes would have left us mired up to our knees and slogging for hours. Wolves wouldn’t have fared any better. The snow was too wet and heavy for rapid movement. And the clock kept ticking, ticking…
With each exhale, white mist puffed into the crisp air. Frost gathered around my nose, crusted my eyelashes. Eight of us, leaving a scuffed trail through the night, fleeting figures there and not there.
