“You humans parade around, and those weak-minded queens bow to you. To
you
,” she repeated incredulously. “Based on what? A few runes on an old wall and long-forgotten tales. What power do you possess? What right do you have? None.” Her eyes narrowed in a predatory stare as she considered the pair in front of her.
“The keepers back our position,” Munro said.
“The keepers?” Konstanze laughed. “That’s your winning argument? That a cloister of academics support your claim?”
“So your challenge against the Druid Hall is actually a challenge against the keepers?” Munro asked.
The faeries behind the queen adjusted their posture minutely. This was likely the part of her strategy they felt the least comfortable with. The keepers had, according to Eilidh, always been revered, even though they were often not magically powerful themselves. They gathered and protected the whole of fae knowledge, lore and priceless artefacts, including the Source Stone. For that reason alone, none dared cross them.
Munro went on, “We spoke to the head keeper just moments before leaving for Ashkyne. If you have no respect for the Druid Hall, then no doubt he would be happy to call for a trial himself.” He added carefully, “Unless you fear what public proceedings might reveal about your brother and his secrets. After all, no one suspected your brother was azuri, did they?”
“Ulrich was a gifted faerie, blessed with equal measure of water and air talents. Our family bears not a single drop of azuri blood,” she spat.
“And yet, he was compatible with a druid, sought desperately to bond with her. Everyone knows only the azuri can initiate such a union. The bond requires higher magic. Interesting that you would deny he had such a powerful gift.”
“I know what you’re trying to do,” Konstanze said. “That silly child queen you’re bonded to has clearly taught you some of her manipulative tricks. She might be able to fool the keepers with her ways, but you lack her astral talent.”
Munro struggled to keep his racing thoughts from showing on his face. Was this about Eilidh taking Queen Vinye’s lands when Konstanze expected them to come to her? Was Konstanze trying to undermine the druids because she feared the power they added to Caledonia? Eilidh never talked about Konstanze as a rival or Ashkyne as a threat to Caledonia, but the Source Stone’s choice may have put Eilidh into Konstanze’s sights. Before this, the druids had an open agreement with Konstanze. Her brother’s death and losing Andena must have hit her hard to force this turnaround.
One of Konstanze’s advisors leaned forward and whispered into her ear. He must have used a gust of air talent to diminish his voice, because Munro couldn’t catch so much as a murmur. She nodded and waved him back.
“There is a solution,” she said. “I harbour no desire to combat the keepers, and you wish to save face after failing the girl under your protection.” She tapped her fingertip on the table as she considered. “I am prepared to release the human to you now.” She glanced up and met Munro’s eyes.
“What do you want?” he said. Her demand would be huge after she’d been clear that she had every intention of executing Demi and maintained he was powerless to stop her.
“Leave the Halls of Mist,” she said.
“What?” Huck and Munro said together.
“Oh, don’t pretend the Druid Hall is anything more than a building, mostly constructed by the fae of other kingdoms. You would be more comfortable in Caledonia, near Queen Eilidh, whom you intend to join formally in only a couple of days’ time. I understand being separated from someone with whom you share a bond is most unpleasant. Surely you would rather be close to her. You can rebuild your residence in Caledonian lands.”
“Why?” Huck asked.
“Because you are not the draoidh of old, and I am sickened at the way you pretend you are. They were masters of magic. Trained. Powerful. Legendary. And most of all, they were
fae
. You craft trinkets and imbue rocks with trickery to cause them to appear lifelike, but what use is that? No doubt you possess talents that may be valuable to the fae someday, but to see my people bow to you as though you were masters of ancient lore disgusts me.”
Munro was stunned into silence. On one hand, she was offering a decent deal. Their status in society was fragile at best. And their workshop didn’t have to be in the Halls of Mist. Moving wouldn’t change their work. Deep down, he almost agreed with her. He’d always felt like a pretender. Oszlár’s urging had been mostly at the heart of the establishment of the Druid Hall. Without that, Munro might not have thought to move in the first place. He’d never wanted the glory or the deference many of the fae gave them.
“And you would be willing to give up the opportunity for any Ashkynen fae to bond with a druid?” Munro asked.
“There are no azuri in my kingdom,” she said flatly. “So your
opportunity
means nothing.”
Before Ulrich died, she’d appeared friendly to the druids. He’d had no idea she harboured such resentment. But losing her brother after having the portal choose Eilidh to assimilate the new gates had clearly unhinged her. He paused. He had to take this to Oszlár. “I would like to see Demi Hartmann,” he said. “That is, after all, why we’re here. I will consider your offer.”
“I will hear your decision before you leave Ashkyne,” she said.
“I’m afraid that’s impossible. I’m not a king. Our decisions are made collectively, as a conclave might make them. I could agree to move back to Caledonia, but my choice wouldn’t bind the other druids to do the same. If you want the Hall gone, I must discuss your terms with them.”
For the first time, she radiated uncertainty. She glanced down, as though resisting the need to confer with her conclave. “Fine,” she said. “You may visit the human prisoner.”
“And the boy,” Munro reminded her.
She pressed her lips together. “And the boy.”
Huck’s gut clenched with worry. He had to find a way to convince Munro to move the Druid Hall, but he suspected the former cop would never go for it. Too much pride. Too rigid. Acted more like a faerie than a human these days. With his gold-tinged skin and pointed ears, he looked more like them too. He told Konstanze he wasn’t a king, but he sure as hell acted like one. When he’d told Huck off for selling his crystals, he laid down the law. Huck hadn’t argued with him. As the least experienced of the druids, Huck had no clout. Because he still hadn’t touched the Source Stone, he was the least powerful as well.
On their way to visit Demi, they followed the same faerie who’d taken them to Konstanze, but this time six Watchers tagged along. Huck turned to say something, but Munro shut him down immediately. “Not here,” he said.
Yeah
, Huck thought.
Not a king.
Their guards led them outside the castle to a low building attached to the smooth outer wall. The stonework inside was the same, grey, but with none of the imperfections of a human-built structure. The eerie precision seemed sterile, like they were entering a high-tech laboratory instead of a prison.
Down two flights of stairs, they arrived at a closed door. Their guide spoke to the Watcher on guard. “Visitors for the condemned.”
The Watcher rose and started to bow, but stopped when he received a sharp look from the steward. “Through the door,” the guard said. “I’ve removed the barriers.”
“Thank you,” Munro said and inclined his head, acknowledging the unfinished bow. He paused before entering and asked, “She is well?”
“Yes, my lord druid,” the guard answered, then winced. He’d clearly been instructed not to show deference to the druids. “Yes,” he repeated.
Munro nodded, and he and Huck went through the door.
Demi sat cross-legged in the centre of the seamless floor, surrounded by a faint glow, which was the only light in the room. The room’s inside appeared much like the outside: grey, cold, and without ornament or flaw. She did not open her eyes when they approached, not until Huck said her name.
Munro closed the door behind them. “Are you all right?” he asked.
She glanced up with red-rimmed eyes.
Huck went and sat across from her. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there,” he said. “I came as soon as I could.” Guilt welled within him. He should have stayed with her. They shouldn’t have rested during the day. If he’d run a little faster, taken less time to prepare, five minutes even, none of this would have happened.
“You couldn’t have stopped them,” Demi said at last. “Where is Jago? Is he all right?”
Munro stood behind Huck, between the seated pair and the door. “The queen agreed to let us check on him. I don’t believe they’ll hurt him. The fae protect children fiercely.”
“
Their
children perhaps,” she said. “I don’t trust them.”
Huck took one of Demi’s hands. “I’ll make sure he’s all right,” he said. “I promise.”
“He must be confused and frightened,” she said, choking back a sob.
“Your
hands are freezing,” Huck muttered and reached for his fire energy. Without a talisman or focus, the process proved difficult, but he managed to create a well of warmth. He rubbed his palms over her fingers.
“What have they told you?” Munro asked.
“Nothing,” Demi replied. “I was separated from Jago and brought here. You are my first visitors.” She smirked, but the expression faded into a smile when she met Huck’s eyes. “Thank you,” she said, her voice soft.
“They plan to execute you in a couple of days for Ulrich’s murder,” Munro said.
“Jesus.” Huck found Munro’s lack of tact stunning.
Demi paled. “No,” she said. “I must protect Jago.” She glanced at the door behind Huck. “You have to get me out. I have to see him.” Her eyes widened, wild with panic.
“Calm down,” Munro said sharply. Then he softened his tone. “Jago will be fine. We’re doing everything we can, but no matter what happens, they won’t hurt him. He’s half fae and the queen’s nephew.”
She shook her head and withdrew her hands from Huck’s. Pressing her eyes closed, she rocked back and forth, hugging herself.
Huck turned to Munro, “Will you lighten up? Can’t you understand that she’s upset?”
Munro shifted his gaze to Huck, then looked back at Demi. “I need you to stay focused, Demi. We may have a chance to get you out of here, but for our plan to work, you must tell us exactly what happened in Amsterdam. Lisle told us her story, but she claims she couldn’t see from where she was hiding.”
Demi froze. “You talked to my grandmother?”
“She’s with us in the Halls of Mist,” Huck told her. “She’s safe.”
Demi exhaled slowly and straightened her posture. “Thank God. I told her to stay hidden. I didn’t know what Ulrich would do to her if he discovered she was there.”
“What happened in Amsterdam, Demi?” Munro asked again. “Lisle said she heard you fight with Ulrich. She saw you when he collapsed, but said you were nowhere near him.”
“I killed him,” Demi said flatly, her gaze distant. “He threatened me and swore he would kill me and take Jago. I had no choice.”
Munro continued the unrelenting interrogation. “How did you kill him?”
“What does it matter?” Demi asked.
“The truth matters,” Munro said. “I intend to push for a trial. The fae will recognise even a human has a right to defend herself. Did he touch you? Or just threaten to?”
“I don’t remember,” Demi said. “That night is a blur in my mind. So much happened at once. He insisted I give Jago to him. He held me with air bonds, but I fought his influence as much as possible.”
“Air?” Munro asked. “Your grandmother and Queen Konstanze both said air was his primary talent. That can’t be. Only azuri fae can bond druids as far as we know, and you said he tried to compel you to say the bonding words, right?”
“Yes,” Demi said, confused. “Soon after we came to spend time together, he said we would bond if I recited these words he’d learned. He attempted to coerce me again the night he died. This time, he seemed even more excited. He claimed he’d learned of other bonded pairs, but they were different from us.”
“Different how?” Munro asked.
Huck had a bad feeling. What difference did any of this make? Demi had defended herself. But no matter the circumstances, Konstanze said she would let Demi go. Why put her through all this? If they’d been alone, he would have challenged Munro, but Huck didn’t want to tell Demi about the offer. What if he couldn’t convince Munro and the others to accept the deal?
“He said the other bonded fae had some kind of corrupting magic, but his was pure. I had never seen him so fevered.”
“Did you ever witness him performing any kind of mental magic? Could he create illusions?”
“No,” she said.
“What about blood? Could he heal himself? Or time. Did he ever mention losing time?” Munro stepped forward, towering over Demi and Huck.
“No,” she repeated, shifting uncomfortably. “I only saw him use air and water.”
Huck glanced up at Munro. What was he playing at?
“How did Ulrich die?” Munro asked. “There was a lot of blood on the ground.”
“I…I stabbed him,” she said.
He barrelled the next question without delay. “Where’s the knife?”