Crais(62)

“Two guesses what Abby’s thinking about right now.” Lucy smirked at Talina.

“Can you blame her? He’s hotter than hot, and from what she said ... I’d probably still have him tied to my bed.”

Lucy snorted. “Oh, yeah: handcuffs, whips and –”

“Stop,” I whispered in mortification. “I’m going to kill you two if you don’t shut up now.”

Red is your color, gorgeous.

I glared at him.

And, for the record, I think I’d be the one tying you to the bed for the rest of our days.

“Oh, eff me,” I said out loud.

Lucy snorted again. “Yeah, that’s what we’re talking about.”

I couldn’t help it as my laughter erupted.

“Just so you both know: Brace can hear every word you’re saying.” Maybe that would shut them up.

But instead of being embarrassed like normal people they both laughed harder.

“Tell him that I have some restraints if he wants to borrow them.” Lucy winked at the two men across from us.

I wasn’t even going to ask her why she had cuffs.

“Why did I have a daughter? Honestly, I’m not sure I can handle the stress.” Josian muttered his favorite lament as he walked in the room with Lallielle.

Quarn was the last to enter, giving me a wink as he sat in the single seat. I was happy to see him again. He’d had to be at the castle for the last few weeks, helping with security.

Josian and Lallielle sat on the floor.

“Alright, I have some new information.” Josian got right into it. “The planning for the Walker gathering is underway. We’ve decided on one First-World month from now. We will hold it at that same field as the last battle. It’s large and isolated enough to house everyone. We’re inviting all clans, even the Abernaths.”

“What?” Brace stood straight. “You do not want Que anywhere near this if you’re trying to gather information to stop him.”

“I understand, but there must be members of your clan who don’t agree with your father’s actions. The Doreens have orders not to approach any Abernaths. I’m leaving it up to you to discreetly get word around.”

Brace’s expression was troubled, but he gave a slow nod. “I have a few trusted friends. I’ll pass the information on.”

Josian also gave a slight head dip. “That’s the best we can do.”

“Has there been new activity now that there are three Seventine released?” I had to ask. My guilt wouldn’t let me ignore it any longer.

Josian shook his head. “Actually, everything has been quiet. As far as we can tell via the Walker networks there have been no new lost tethers on any of the worlds. It’s as if they’ve gone to ground somewhere.”

“If I was the key to releasing the third Seventine, then are the rest going to just stroll out no problem now?” I needed to know if I had greatly accelerated the time-line to the final battle, I still had four half-Walkers to collect.

Lucy snapped into soothsayer mode. “From what I can gather,” she glared around the room, “and let me tell you this seeing-the-future thing is not easy, but I know a few things. Firstly, without Abby they could never have freed the third. Her blood is from the ancients. This was a safety mechanism woven in by the originals when they first contained the Seventine.”

Damn, I was such a frigging moron.

“Second, it’s not going to be easy to release the rest of the Seventine. In fact, each subsequent release will require even larger influxes of energy.”

“So we have time to stop them still.” I breathed a few sighs.

“There’s always time and hope, until we’re all dead.” Lucy smiled brightly. “And then we might be the undead, so it’s a never-ending cycle.”

“Wow, how have we done without your insights before now,” I drawled at her. “Not to mention that unwavering optimism.”

“Have you seen Francesca in your visions?” Lallielle interrupted us, her voice shaky. “I’ve heard that since you’re so rare you can keep tabs on each other.”

Lucy’s lips thinned into fine lines as she hesitated. “I’ve seen glimpses of her, Lalli, and it doesn’t seem as if she’s being forced to stay away. Her location is murky, but ... she’s not unhappy.” Lucy’s expression turned sympathetic. “I could be wrong. It seems as if the more I allow these images in, the more that flood through me. I’m still not very good at getting the fine details.”

“You’re doing a wonderful job. It takes years to become proficient at this gift,” Lallielle said, trying not to look upset, although I could see her forehead wrinkling as she turned to stare out the window.