Blood Faerie (23 page)

The meeting was too important to risk spooking them. The best case scenario, in his mind, was to learn something of Cridhe’s location, and what, if anything, Frankie and the others knew about him. If he could convince the others to turn against their mentor, that could make his job a lot easier. Munro didn’t like the idea that, if he succeeded, the police would never know the truth. But if the killings stopped, that had to be enough for him.

By the time Munro exited the highway at Bridge of Earn and turned toward Abernethy, the long summer dusk had dissolved into darkness. He parked his car where Frankie had told him to and grabbed a torch. Flicking it on, he headed down a dirt track on foot. Soon he arrived at a cluster of abandoned outbuildings. It seemed like an odd meeting place, but on the other hand, he couldn’t picture where in town a bunch of druids would get together to practice magic. This seemed as good a place as any.

Frankie stepped out of a feed barn. “There you are. Come on then. The others are waiting.”

When Munro went into the barn, he saw Frankie was not alone. The man stood with an elegant disdain Munro had come to associate with the fae. But that wasn’t the only reason Munro immediately knew his race. His ears were sharply pitched at the top, although not twisted like Eilidh’s. His skin had a strange, blue-grey pallor Munro associated with the dead. He hadn’t seen many dead bodies, but the ones he had were firmly stuck in his mind.

Munro froze. He knew exactly who this was. He felt a tingle of dread.

Frankie seemed visibly shaken and more than a little apologetic. “The others will be here soon. Meanwhile, our mentor wanted to meet you. This is Cridhe.”

Frankie had set him up, and they both knew it. But had he been compelled, or did he do it willingly?

The blood faerie looked Munro up and down. “I can smell her on you.”

Munro felt a small relief that they weren’t going to pretend. He shrugged. Frankie, on the other hand, seemed puzzled. Obviously, Cridhe had not told his underlings about Eilidh. Interesting.

“I’m disappointed you didn’t bring her with you. But never fear, I suspect she’ll come for you soon enough. While we’re waiting, I’d like to show you something.” Cridhe turned to Frankie. “Wait for us.”

Frankie gave a small awkward bow to Cridhe and left them alone.

Finally, Munro found his voice. “What makes you think Eilidh will follow me here?”

“The bond, of course. I had to figure out the bond on my own. Dudlach hid the truth from me for a time. If I had known, I never would have let him kill Jon. But now I understand, you see. Perhaps it is better this way.” Cridhe went on, oblivious to Munro’s confusion. “So I
know
that once she feels your pain, she’ll come running. I do regret, however, that I have to kill you. I want you to understand that. The others, well, they were necessary and expendable. But your death will pain my future queen, and that is most regrettable. If only you were not gifted in stone.” Cridhe shrugged, lifting his shoulders with perfect grace. He looked like an undead fashion model.

Munro glanced toward the door, an unwelcome knot of fear tightening in his stomach.

“Don’t do that. It would be most tedious to have to chase you. I ordinarily don’t mind a hunt, but I have much to do tonight. Here, I have something to show you.” Cridhe gestured to an inner door. “After you.”

When Munro was near Eilidh, and even Beniss, he felt a fine tugging that he supposed was a response to their magical nature. With Cridhe, the sensation was more like a claw grasping something within him. He didn’t know if it was because of the difference between blood magic and astral magic, or if Cridhe had become twisted and warped through his murderous actions. The closer he got to Cridhe, the more Munro’s stomach clenched. This answered one of his questions about Frankie and the other true druids. There was no way they could be around Cridhe and not realise something was very wrong with him.

It pained Munro to think it, but his cousin had sought the power Cridhe could give him and had ignored the obvious dangers. It didn’t justify the death of Robert Dewar and the others, of course. But if they accepted his teaching, they had to have understood there would be a cost. They must have known Cridhe was responsible for the murders, but did they play a part?

Seeing no other option, Munro preceded Cridhe through the wooden door. They walked into a small room with no furniture or decoration. The only object was a wooden crate filled with straw.

“Please. Look inside.”

Munro found the blood faerie’s politeness peculiar. He intended to kill Munro, likely in the same gruesome way he had the others. And yet, he still took time to say things like
please
. Not that Munro planned to let Cridhe kill him. He hadn’t yet tested the blood faerie’s power, but the moment for rebellion hadn’t come. He had to admit, he was curious about what Cridhe wanted to show him. A small part of him hoped Cridhe was right and Eilidh would show up before long.

What Cridhe didn’t seem to know was that he and Eilidh had not yet bonded. Munro understood why Eilidh had been reluctant to bond herself with a human, but now he wished they had done it before he left. Munro had a feeling they would need the extra power before this thing was done. Now he feared it was too late. Munro didn’t correct Cridhe’s misapprehension, even though he wasn’t sure what keeping that little titbit to himself would accomplish. On the other hand, he didn’t see any point in telling Cridhe anything he didn’t have to.

Munro approached the crate and swept aside some of the straw. As soon as his hand touched the stone tablet, he felt a jolt of power.

Cridhe smiled at Munro’s reaction. “Impressive, isn’t it?”

It took Munro a moment to clear away the straw from the tablet’s surface. It was old. He could tell that easily enough by its appearance, but more than that, it had a strong and peculiar resonance. The tablet was something like the small objects he moulded with his hands, but the person who made it knew what he was doing and why. “This is druid made, isn’t it?” He ran his finger lightly over the surface, concerned that his own power might mar it.

“I really am most disappointed that you have to die. You’re much more clever than the others. And talent with stone is nearly as rare as fire. With you, I could create my own tablets, divine my own rituals.” Cridhe tilted his head to one side, as though lost in thought. “Your cousin tells me you have managed to create objects of power. Did Eilidh guide you in this?”

Munro didn’t want to give Cridhe any information about Eilidh or himself. He was under no illusion about how dangerous Cridhe was. He’d seen the bodies. On the other hand, if he could delay or distract him, that might be of some help. He only wished he had some way to warn Eilidh. He had his mobile, but he wasn’t sure Eilidh would even know how to answer the phone.

Munro met Cridhe’s eyes and shook his head. “She was as surprised as I was. Considering her situation, she doesn’t know a lot about druids.”

Cridhe looked Munro up and down as though evaluating whether Munro would try to deceive him. Munro couldn’t tell what Cridhe perceived, but the blood faerie moved on. “If only I had been successful with Craig Laughlin. Then you wouldn’t have to die. But as you can see, the rite demands a stone sacrifice.”

Munro couldn’t see, but he was not about to argue with the mad faerie. “If you don’t mind me asking, where are their hearts?”

Cridhe smiled. “Don’t worry. They are safe and beating strong.”

At that moment Cridhe’s power hit Munro full in the chest. It was like being kicked in the solar plexus by a horse. He fell backward, stunned and unable to speak.

“You won’t be alone. After tonight, I don’t think Frankie will be as willing as he has been in the past. So I think he’s the best choice for our water sacrifice.”

“And what of Laughlin? You failed with him; the heart was ruined. Are you certain that won’t happen again?”

Cridhe tilted his head thoughtfully. “You’re right. I should take Frankie first. If I fail with him, there are other water druids. Besides, you can’t die until I’m certain Eilidh is on her way.”

Munro felt sick at the thought of what was about to happen. He staggered to his feet and tried to lunge at Cridhe. The blood faerie easily deflected the stumbling attack.

“It’s time.”

When Eilidh heard Munro’s car pull away, she signalled Beniss that it was time to go. As soon as she went out the front door, her senses were overcome with the smell of the Otherworld. Four kingdom fae stepped out of the shadows, led by Saor. Beniss hissed and moved into a defensive crouch.

“Peace, Beniss. We’re here to help,” Saor said. “The conclave agrees something must be done about the outcast.”

“All of the outcasts?” Eilidh said. “Are you here to
do something
about me too?” She could no longer hide her bitterness. The more she’d thought about it, the more it annoyed her that Saor had asked her to give up her magic. He wanted her to become a shell of herself so she could fit within his world and become acceptable to those around him. After only a few days of training and talking with Beniss, Eilidh realised that being
acceptable
wasn’t worth the price.

Judging by the anger on his face, Saor knew things were never going to be as he always thought they should be. “If you recall, Eilidh, it was you who requested our help.”

Beniss nodded to one of Munro’s neighbours, who had come out of his house and was openly staring at the group. Although the sky had grown darker, the soft leather clothing and piercing eyes of Saor and his companions, who did not have the ability to appear human, were attracting attention. “We should take this discussion inside.”

Eilidh looked sharply at Beniss. “But what of Munro?”

“Can you not feel him?”

“I can…” Eilidh could not explain why she felt uneasy. It could be that she and Munro had left things unfinished, or perhaps it was simply the uncertainty of what they were about to do. Her training sessions with Beniss made her realise how little she really knew. Sure, she could cast an illusion, but that didn’t always mean controlling and maintaining it. The blood faerie they were dealing with, Cridhe, obviously had decades if not centuries of experience. Beniss was old, and therefore her experience would be invaluable, but she admitted she did not relish the idea of challenging a blood faerie with a bonded druid. Truth be told, she’d been hoping for more from the conclave. Although Saor was a good warrior, he was nearly as young as she. Even with four companions, she feared they would not be any match for the blood faerie.

“Inside,” Beniss said firmly. “This is not the place.”

Eilidh felt a slight pressure inside her mind. It didn’t hurt, but it was enough to remind her that Beniss was her elder and deserved respect. Eilidh acquiesced with a slight inclination of her head. “As you wish.” She didn’t feel any better about the situation, but she needed Beniss if she had any hope of stopping Cridhe. She also recognised that Munro could take care of himself. Although she wanted to know what his cousin would report about Cridhe’s location and plans, if Munro trusted Frankie, then she must as well.

The six entered Munro’s house. Eilidh didn’t know Saor’s companions. They were young, perhaps even younger than Saor, and they seem distinctly uncomfortable. Saor gestured to her ears and face. “I see you have mastered some illusion at least.” With an almost imperceptible sneer he added, “It suits you.” If she had not known him so well, she would not have realised how embittered he had become in such a short time. She steeled herself to ignore the slight. She’d made her choice, and she had to accept the consequences.

Beniss looked squarely at Saor. “What is the conclave’s plan?”

“Eilidh knows the most about the one we seek. It is generally agreed that she should help us find and eliminate the threat.” His tone indicated he was not one of those who agreed.

“Munro is going to lead us to him. He has discovered someone who is in the blood faerie’s inner circle. He has gone to meet with him now.” Eilidh could not resist showing Saor that a human would be the key to finding their target.

Although Saor had schooled his features, Eilidh could tell the remark hit home. “Then why are you here?”

“We were about to follow when the four of you showed up.”

“We will accompany you.” Saor’s tone left no room for argument.

Although Eilidh’s instinct said he should not come, the nagging worry for Munro’s safety told her pride was not worth it. She opened her mouth to reply when her connection with Munro disappeared. She grabbed Beniss’ arm and staggered slightly. “Beniss…” She used all of her newly developed magical senses to search, but it was as though he had never existed.

“What is wrong, child?”

“He’s gone.”

“What do you mean?” Beniss’ voice was sharp, and the illusion that held her pretty human face faltered for a moment.

The room spun slightly and Eilidh touched the arm of a chair to maintain her balance. “I don’t know what happened. I could feel him in my mind like always, but then he was just gone.” Panic tightened her chest and grief threatened to overwhelm her. “Is he…” Her voice trailed off. She couldn’t bring herself to think the worst.