“No,” I whispered, without realizing it.
I’d learned the hard way that I couldn’t trust the voices in my head.
Gritting my teeth, I marched forward. Fists clenched, as my instincts screamed about the predator in the darkness.
“Are you sure you’re going the right way?”
I wasn’t sure, but I’d picked a path and I intended to stick to it.
“You can always change your mind.”
“For feck sake!” I snapped. “I’m going this way!”
Something chuckled in the darkness. The sound was no longer in my mind but had manifested physically.
I could only see an outline. A shadow within the shadow.
The shadow extended a hand until a green flame burst into existence. I’d grown so accustomed to the darkness that the flame seared my retinas, leaving an afterimage even when I closed my eyes and looked away.
The stranger was male, with eyes as green as the flame in his palm. Pale face, pointed Fae ears, and a cloak made of living darkness. His face held the kind of beauty that made my stomach hurt with longing and grief.
I did not recognize his face, despite his good looks and the knowing expression in his eyes.
Cormac has green eyes. I thought to myself, as I was locked in the stranger's gaze.
Somehow, Cormac Illfinn’s face, floating to the forefront of my mind, broke whatever spell the stranger held over me.
I frowned and stepped back. I gripped my chest.
I’d almost forgotten Cormac.
I felt him inside my chest. If my heart were a fiddle, then Cormac was one of the strings.
But there were three others.
Why were there three others?
“I have to get home,” I said.
“Are you sure this path will get you there?” The stranger asked, with a smile in his eyes.
“It's none of your concern.” I squinted, tilting my chin to look down my nose at him.
“Ah.” He waggled a finger. “But you’re in my domain, God-Child.”
“Your domain?” I wrinkled my nose.
“That's an unfortunate habit.” He gestured to my nose. “It gives away your thoughts.”
I rolled my eyes. “Manannán mac Lir sent me here.”
“Did he now?” The stranger cocked his head to the side. “To theMistéireach?”
I didn’t answer.
He sniffed the air. “You reek of salt water and blood.”
I lowered my nose to my shoulder and gave a discreet sniff. The stranger caught the motion, even in the darkness, and laughed with much more force than I would have liked.
