Earth's Requiem(99)

The basic plan hadn’t changed, despite Dewi’s concerns. The humans would jump to an area in the southwestern Arizona desert, landing just outside Yuma. At least it wouldn’t be snowing there. Aislinn would jump with Fionn. The other Celts would leave before them. Dewi would get there in her own way. She’d tried to talk Aislinn into flying on her back a few minutes ago, but Aislinn had demurred.

“It’s too far. I’d be tired by the time we got there. And I need to link to Rune to make sure he comes out at the right place.”

Dewi had bristled, especially after Aislinn mentioned Rune. She did it on purpose to test his theory that the dragon saw him as a rival. As usual, the wolf’s instincts about others were spot on. Dewi argued, cajoled, even tried to force Aislinn with compulsion, until Gwydion called her off, saying, “We havena the time for this.” It was actually a relief when Dewi made a leap for the skies and was gone. Aislinn raked her hands through her hair and hoped the dragon would have gotten past her pique by the time they regrouped in Arizona.

Looking every inch a warrior, Fionn walked briskly to her and Rune, with Bella riding on his shoulder. He’d changed into tight-fitting leather breeches, a leather shirt, and a mailed hauberk. Vambraces hugged his arms. The only parts of his attire that hadn’t changed were lace up leather boots that came halfway to his knees. “Ready?”

She felt like quite the rube in Marta’s rolled-up black work pants, sadly worn leather boots, green wool shirt from the McCloud Fishing Lodge, and black Gore-Tex jacket with a black watch cap pulled nearly to her eyes. Oh well. Not exactly a fashion contest here. She met his gaze, tried to smile, but couldn’t. “No. I don’t think I could ever be ready for something that might mean we lose our planet to the dark.”



“Good that you’re on edge. It means ye’ll be careful. We leave in about ten minutes.”

She buried a hand in Rune’s ruff, taking comfort from his simple, animal warmth. Since she had time, she pulled off her hat, separated her long, thick hair into two sections, and braided it to keep it out of her eyes. “Aren’t you scared?”

Fionn shook his head.

“Why not?”

“Lass, ’tis only the first of what will likely be a long string of battles. It could take years to rid ourselves of four dark gods—if ’tis even possible. We’ll find out soon enough if we need a different plan. Doona forget, the dark gods are only part of the problem. There will be others to fight along the way.”

“Like Dewi. I think she’s jealous of Rune.” Aislinn’s hand flew to her mouth. She hadn’t meant to blurt it out like that. Braids done, she jammed her hat over them to mask her discomfort.

Fionn laughed. “Dragons are jealous of everyone. ’Tis the way of things.”

Rune’s jaws snapped together. “Not funny, human.” Bella cawed her support.

Fionn stroked the wolf’s head. “Not to worry. Aislinn belongs to you and me.”



And Dewi. What about just belonging to myself, goddammit? Aislinn hastily shielded her thoughts. She stole a quick glance at Fionn, but it didn’t seem he’d noticed. He had to be inside her mind to read it. Problem was that he could sneak in there without her knowing. As much to cover her inner turmoil as anything, she asked, “What happened to the other Celts Dewi supposedly went to the Old Country to raise?”

Fionn skewered her with a grim look, brows drawn together. “Aye, lass. Now that ye mention it, we’d all like to know just that.”

She felt him pull the magic that would take them where they were going. While it would have taken her several jumps to get from Ely to their destination, Fionn assured her he could do it in two. They’d probably get there before most of the humans, but it would allow time to finalize their plans.

For a moment or two, she felt sad about leaving Marta’s house. It was where she’d realized she was in love with Fionn. Then she thought about the ensorcelled hybrids in the attic and decided she and Fionn could do better elsewhere. They’d have to come back sometime and destroy the bodies, but that was way down the line. Years, from what Fionn had suggested. The weightless sensation began in her feet. She felt for the outlines of Fionn’s spell, made sure it encompassed Rune, and they were gone.





A surprising number of humans were already there when Aislinn and Fionn arrived. Arawn, Bran, and Gwydion had set up something like a field headquarters, complete with chairs for themselves, in a huge indentation where massive, black rock walls butted against one another. They checked the humans in by having them write their names on some sort of tablet. It lit, absorbed a name, and cleared itself for the next person. Aislinn stared at it, fascinated. What mix of electronics and magic could do something like that?