Gwyneth motioned everyone to come closer. “This is Master Oda. She was a friend of Adelais before the Great Ward. She is one of the few beings alive who knows where the Great Ward was created.”
“The king also knows,” Oda said. “The Guardians were not present when the spell was cast. Adelais and Katarina knew what they needed to do and they had the guardian pairs wait miles away to help stabilize the spell.”
“We think Blackstone needs to cast his spell in the same general location,” Gwyneth said.
The historian tapped a point on the map. “This is where my lady died.”
“Well I’ll be a donkey’s butt,” Rod said. “That explains why the Mage Council made its headquarters in Philadelphia.”
“Why didn’t Dad tell us?” Bart asked. “Or the original guardians for that matter?”
“I’m not sure he knows,” Father said. “I was a boy at the time of the Demon War. No one spoke of where the Ward had been created. Other than the guardians, Father, Oda, andAlegar Hollen were present. The Mage Council didn’t move to Philadelphia until the city was founded eight hundred years later.”
“If the site was so important, why would they leave it undefended?” Elspeth asked.
“Who says it wasn’t guarded?” Father responded. “The guardians knew the location and so did the Society. The dragon court was a few hours flight to the north, the gryphons were less than an hour’s flight to the northwest, and there were Native American mages who could protect the site if needed.”
“You think he’s going to take Grandfather there?” I asked. “There are more mages there than anywhere else.”
“That presumes he knows,” Rod said, walking over to take my hand. “And we don’t even know if the original site is important.”
“It makes sense that he knew the site was there,” Bart said. He waited until everyone was looking at him. “He spent over two hundred years at Utrecht. If there was any place in the world that contained information about where the Ward was created, it would be there. He tried to summon a demon twice on the campus. It feels too convenient to be coincidental.”
Holding Rod’s hand, I felt Grandfather’s spell create a magical barrier between us. I could feel Rod, but he was maddeningly just beyond my reach. The more I pushed, the stronger the obstruction became. I stopped when my head throbbed.
“Not yet, love.” Rod rubbed his thumb over my hand. “Hopefully soon.”
I didn’t share his faith. Given Grandfather’s determination to prevent me from mating with Rod, I expected the spell would last even if he were killed. Perhaps the Earth could undo the spell, but I didn’t want to put my hopes in a non-sentient entity solving my relationship problems.
“We need to find Grandfather.” I meant to say it quietly to Rod, but my words filled the quiet room.
“No offense, Cini, but you were the last person I expected to hear say that,” Elspeth said.
“Cini?”Rod asked with too much amusement.
I glared at my sister, but she didn’t seem to care.“I’ll kill El later, but don’t ever call me that.”Unlike most people, Rod wouldn’t do it just because it annoyed me. He was too good a being.
“Grandfather is the key to saving the world,” I said. “Without him, Blackstone can’t destroy the existing Great Ward. We also need him to lift his spell so Rod and I can complete our bond. Only then can we create the new Ward.”
“Can’t you create it without bonding?” Colum asked.
“If they try, it will consume them both before they finish the spell,” Bart said. “The mate bond amplifies both their powers. Without it, the strain of casting the spell will kill them.”
“Then we’d better find Grandfather fast,” Lauchlin said. “When do we leave?”
“You’re not going anywhere,” Father said. “You’re the heir to the throne if the king dies.”
“So?” Lauch asked. “This Blackstone already has the phoenix he needs.”
“Yes, but any rescue attempt will be dangerous,” Otto said. “We’re still trying to determine the extent of Blackstone’s help within the mage community.”
“Everyone is at risk right now,” Father said. “I need you here to help me rule the flock. Today we caught the council off guard. It won’t be so easy the next time.”
Lauch backed down, because how could he refuse Father’s request?
“I’ll contact the Council and update them,” Rod said. “In the meantime, where do we look for the king?”
“Make your call.” Father stood. “I’ll alert the authorities to stop any unsanctioned flights.”
