Moon Shimmers(50)

I straightened. Who could she be talking about? I was about to ask when the door opened and Chase entered, a guard behind him.

I jumped up. “Chase? What are you doing here?” Then, suddenly understanding, I turned back to Aeval. “Are you kidding?”

“No. He must go with you and don’t ask, because I don’t even know why myself. But it is simply…what must be. Derisa received the same vision as well.”

“But…” I stared at him, dreading the journey. Chase was in good condition for an FBH, and the tiny bit of elf blood in him didn’t hurt in the slightest, but he couldn’t keep up with us and we all knew it.

“It’s going to happen, Camille. Accept it.” Aeval let out a long sigh. “Welcome, Detective Johnson.”

Chase looked confused. “I’m not sure why I’m here. You needed me for some reason?”

“Yes.” She crossed to his side and inclined her head. “Detective, we are at a crossroads in history. Camille is about to take the most important journey of her life, and you need to go with her. Don’t ask why—I cannot give you an answer. But I know that you must go with her.”

He glanced at me, concern washing across his face. “Are you all right?”

I nodded, biting my tongue. I had no idea what to say to him.

“Chase,” Delilah said, crossing to him. “We found the last spirit seal.”

She let this sink in for a moment and as we watched, a dawning recognition crept into his eyes. He let out a loud sigh and dropped into a chair.

“It’s finally over, then?”

“No. This is a dangerous time. Remember that when all the seals are found, she must search out the Keraastar Diamond and take her place as the leader of the Keraastar Knights. It’s time for Camille to journey to Otherworld and find the diamond. Some of us are going with her, and Aeval says that you need to go with us.”

Delilah’s voice was soft in a way mine could never be—not in timbre, but in the way she phrased things. She really did have a maternal nature and though it had taken awhile to show itself, now it blossomed fully out. As she grew stronger, so did her gentle side.

“You want me… But I can’t. My duties—I have to…” He stopped. After a moment, he shrugged. “This is one of those times when I really don’t have a choice, do I? I do what you need me to because the Hags of Fate or the Mistress of Destiny—”

“There’s no such person,” I mumbled.

“Whatever. Because destiny itself has slammed down and decreed that we all get to take a ride together.” He sounded a little bitter, but when I met his gaze, he smiled softly. “Yeah, I know. We do what we have to do. I’ll figure out a way. Yugi can take over while I’m gone. He’s my second-hand man, anyway.” Then a gleam flickered into his eye. “Maybe I can catch a few minutes in Elqaneve, with Sharah.”

“Um…maybe. I don’t really know what the itinerary will be like, but we’ll do our best. That much I can promise.” I clapped him on the shoulder. “Thanks, Chase. I was as surprised as you were, but if there’s a reason you need to be there, I’d rather not fly in destiny’s face.”

He sobered. “Yeah, that I agree with. I’ve learned that much hanging out with the three of you. When do we leave?”

I glanced over at Aeval. “Do we have a day or two?”

She consulted Titania and Myrddin, then said, “One day. Today’s Saturday. Leave on Monday morning, before first light. Spend tomorrow preparing. Above all, don’t dawdle. Set the portal in the Wayfarer to transport you to the one near Dahnsburg Lake. You’ll have to hire horses to reach Thistlewyd Deep, and then to the mountains, but that shouldn’t be a problem. Bran will meet you at the bar at four a.m. on Monday.” She turned to Myrddin. “Any last advice?”

“The Tygerian monks can help you, but they are deadly. Do not cross them. Be cautious of how much trust you place in them. The Order of the Crystal Dagger is a secret society, and so elusive and powerful that they are banned in most cities save for Aladril. The fact is that we don’t know how they will play into this, so walk cautiously, accept help if you absolutely need it, and do not offend.” Myrddin’s expression was difficult to read, but his body language was wary.

“When will Venus join us?” Delilah asked.

“We’ll bring him down to the Wayfarer, along with Bran. Be there, and be ready. Until then, keep your eyes open. While I doubt Shadow Wing will send Yerghan over now, there’s always that chance. If Trytian is right, then you must be prepared for the possibility of attack the moment you land in Otherworld. That’s why we aren’t sending you to Elqaneve where they’d expect you to go.” And with that, Aeval motioned toward the door. “You may leave. We’ll see you on Monday morning.”