Earth's Requiem(94)

“Go on,” someone shouted.

“Yes, tell us more.”

Aislinn threw her hair back over her shoulders. She blew out a breath. This was working, truly working. She had their interest. They believed her. She’d been so worried they’d turn away.

“The Celts think we should target D’Chel, Tokhots, Slototh, or Adva.” Her stomach roiled. The names of evil rolling off her tongue sickened her. Fionn grabbed her hand. His touch calmed her, and the nausea subsided. “Sorry,” she said. “Their names make me feel like I’ve eaten poison.”



A sympathetic murmur rose from the crowd.

“What about their minions?” a voice called.

“The truth is, we don’t know,” Aislinn answered, aiming for absolute accuracy. “Without their dark masters, they may lose enough power that they’re no longer a threat. Or they may leave.”

“What about Perrikus and that mother of his?” It sounded like the same voice.

Aislinn peered into the crowd, but couldn’t see who’d spoken.

“We save them for last.”

“But if we killed them first,” the voice argued, “the others might pack up and go. There are only two of them and four of the others.”

A low murmur swept through the group, rising in intensity. The crowd seemed of two minds.

Fionn raised his hands. “Quiet.” His American voice was back. “In the first place, killing the dark gods will be very difficult. They have a nasty habit of not staying dead, even when you’ve driven a stake through their heart.”

“How do you know?” someone asked.

“Did you do that?” another chimed in.

“The short answer is yes. When I was certain the bastard was dead, I made the mistake of retracting my wards.” Fionn shrugged. “I have a hell of a scar. Would anyone like to see?”

Aislinn visualized the thick white line traveling from the midpoint of Fionn’s chest down to his pubis. She’d wondered how he’d gotten it. Good God, it was a miracle he hadn’t faded away to the Dreaming or wherever the Celtic gods went once they’d been gravely wounded.

Once the laughter and ribald commentary—mostly from the women—that followed Fionn’s question died down, Aislinn started talking again. “What I haven’t told you yet is that my mother was descended from Irish kings. Apparently, she was supposed to remain in Ireland and produce an heir for the MacLochlainn line. Instead, she fell in love with my father and skipped across the Atlantic.” She spread her hands in front of her. “My fate found me anyway. And that fate includes the dragon napping over there. She will battle the dark for us with me on her back.”

A cheer obliterated her next words. Aislinn’s heart thudded against her chest. She’d always been an intensely private person. To share so much was harder than she’d ever imagined it would be.



“Ye’re doing fine,” Fionn whispered against her ear. “In fact, ye may be done.”

Aislinn recognized wisdom in his words. She’d sat through lots of speeches that had gone on far too long. When the crowd settled, she said, “That’s really about all. We will decide where to strike first, travel there in small groups to maintain the advantage of surprise for as long as possible, and do our damnedest to get our planet back.”

The applause was thunderous. Aislinn wondered who hadn’t heard her and how many times she’d have to go over the same ground. Gwydion led her to another group, and she began anew. It wasn’t as bad as she’d feared. Anxious to hear, people crowded together. In all, she only had to deliver her message five times. Rune stuck to her through the hours she stood on her feet talking. She could tell he was tired, but he never sat down. During a lull, she asked how he was. He licked her face and told her he was proud of her.

She was just following Fionn into the house, intent on something to drink and eat, when she heard Dewi deep in her mind. “You did well. Now is time for more practice. You have had far more than the half hour I allotted you to be away from me.”



Fionn looked at her. “What does she want?”

“You can’t hear her?”

He shook his head. “I know ‘tis her, but I canna hear the words. Would I be asking you what she said if I already knew?”

“Time for more aerial games.”

Fionn looked thoughtful. “Ask—and very carefully—if she minds you taking a handful of minutes to eat.”

Aislinn’s eyes widened. It would never have occurred to her to ask anything of the dragon. She was still in awe of her. But it wouldn’t do to pass out and fall off her back, either.