Working my way through the camp, I searched for Luke and Chaos. There was no doubt in my mind that Lir was right, that she would keep Luke close as a bargaining chip, as a way to control me.
In no time, the sun had fully risen. It was hot, more so than any other summer I could remember.
It is Chaos’ doing. She is slowly cooking the world, for nothing more than the sake of wreaking havoc.
Sweat dripped down my face as I worked methodically through the camp, checking every tent for signs of Luke, hoping that maybe, maybe I’d luck out.
What I didn’t expect to find was Darcy.
She was slumped in the corner of a small tent, sobbing. Her fingers clutched the silver ring I’d given her.
“Oh Wil, I’m not a good woman, not anymore.” Her fingers brushed against the polished metal as she spoke. “My babies are going to pay the price for my cowardice. If only I’d been as strong as them, if I’d fought back maybe things would have been different.” Her words echoed my earlier ones and I felt Cora retreat from the truth.
No, don’t leave me! I said. I took one last look at my mother and stepped away from the tent, almost stumbling over Nuadha.
He brushed past me, the dark spot in his eye clearly visible. Pausing, he glared at my mother’s tent. “Oracle, stop your sniveling, at least one of your daughters is worth the time you spent in a man’s bed.”
My fingers clenched and I fought not to take a swing at him. It would do me no favors to break my cover now. But I knew that where Nuadha went, Chaos would be near. As he left my mother’s tent, I followed close on his heels.
He strode through the camp, barking orders, slapping people out of his way. At least I didn’t have to worry about tripping over anyone else. Most people gave him wide berth, avoiding his reach.
At the edge of the camp, he halted and stared out across the beach. What had once been the Fomorii army now lay a mixture of humans and Fomorii as I’d known them.
You truly gave them the choice? Cora asked.
Yes. I didn’t want to steal what some felt was their heritage.
Nuadha yelled out. “My lady, I’d have a word with you.”
This was it. My heart picked up speed, and my palms grew sweaty.
A green flag was raised, and Nuadha started out across the sand, me close on his heels. As we passed the first line of Fomorii I realized that Gormley was there and she was looking straight at me. My blood chilled. Bres had said that the old Fomorii had strange abilities, but who knew one of them would be to see through the power of Carnwennan?
With a slow wink, she turned her back on me, not raising the alarm. Nuadha halted in front of a row of huge Fomorii guards. They slowly peeled away, revealing Chaos sitting on a throne studded with jewels and draped in fur, as if the heat didn’t bother her one bit. She was wearing a body suit of leather that was studded with small metal spikes along the arms and legs. Her hair had been shorn close to her head, bangs left to hang over her eyes. Luke sat beside her, chains stretching from his neck and hands to the base of the throne. Other than being tied up, he didn’t look as if he’d been hurt.
“What news have you of my . . . sister,” Chaos asked, her black eyes staring right past me.
Nuadha bowed at the waist. “She has gone to ground, or to water, it would seem. Other than that, we do not know.”
She leaned forward, pulling Luke close by his neck chain. “And what of you, pretty boy? Hmm? Where do you think your precious beloved has gone with that handsome Fomorii warrior?”
Luke didn’t answer. He just stared past her. She slapped him hard, drawing blood. I flinched, but he didn’t. “Answer me or I will cut out your tongue, and see if I can make it speak that way.”
The silence stretched and just when I thought he would call her bluff, he spoke. “I have no idea where they might have gone. I wasn’t privy to the plans. I was just told to stay here.” His voice didn’t give her one ounce of inflection, though his eyes looked pained as he stared up into her face. Maybe she hit harder than it looked.
“Hmm. I see,” she murmured, running her fingers over his face. “You are quite lovely. Perhaps I will keep you as the first of my harem.”
His jaw tightened, as did mine. My hand inched towards Carnwennan, but I had to wait. I couldn’t face Nuadha and Chaos. It had to be just me and her.
She flicked her hand at Nuadha. “Go, you are boring me.” Nuadha saluted, and I stepped aside as he turned on his heel and strode away. Now, it was a matter of cutting Chaos out of the middle of all the Fomorii.
With everything I had, I tried to speak to Luke mind-to-mind. I’m here.
Luke’s eyes widened, and then he started to cough, covering his shock well.