Chapter Twenty-Six

Torrent went back to Pride Palace to let everyone know what had happened while I went to Faerie to collect Arach and Viper. Neither of them was pleased with the news, but Viper took it worse than Arach. Understandable after what hed been through.

“The trickster has the power to put faeries and gods into an unresponsive state,” Arach said.

“I wasnt unresponsive,” Viper growled. “I remember moving and I could see normally, but I couldnt process what was happening. I remember, but its all vague. A haze in my mind.”

“You couldnt respond,” Arach said. “That makes you unresponsive whether you remember anything or not.”

“I dont understand,” Fearghal said in a lost tone, his low, deep voice sounding so sad. “I see them come through, and I be goin to grab em, but then I just be standin here.” He shook his head. “I dont understand.”

“My point is, there is no fey magic like that,” Arach went on after a sympathetic glance at Fearghal. “Im sure this is a god.”

“All right. Well, theres that at least,” I said. “Lets get back to Aithinne. I need to shift, get dressed, and kiss the kids before we head to Pride Palace.”

“That will take too long, Vervain,” Arach said. “You have clothes at Pride Palace. Shift and change when you get there. Were going through the Aether, remember? Time has caught up.”

“But the kids.”

“Well both use our rings to return. They wont miss us.”

I sighed and looked down at the star I still held. “All right.”

“Go back to Aithinne, all of you,” Arach said to our people. “I will probably be there by the time you return. But if Im not, let the others know that were going to the God Realm in pursuit of the villain.”

“Yes, King Arach,” Fearghal said, then he nodded at his soldiers.

The Hags and Hidden-Ones shrieked and took to the sky, blocking out the sun with their wings. In the darkness, the star gleamed. There was something about it that bothered me.

“Damn it!” I hissed. “I forgot to have Torrent check this for magic.”

“Well, its too late now,” Viper said. “Lets get you to Pride Palace. Hopefully, if it is enchanted, Torr will destroy the spell before it goes too far.”

“Yeah, all right.” I looked him over. “Are you okay, Viper?”

“My pride is hurt more than my belly.” He lifted the pitchfork. “But at least we can return the Devils toy.”

“Yeah. Im wondering if they had planned on leaving that with you or if they were forced to use it to distract us.”

“It was a hell of a distraction.” Viper grinned, already over his anger. “Get it? Hell. Pitchfork.”

I snorted. “Im glad youre all right, babe.”

“She was very worried,” Arach said.

“Aw, I love you too, Starlight,” Viper said.

“I had to wait here for four days,” I grumbled. “And during those days, I had to see Az and the human world leaders.”

“She is not good at hiding her emotions,” Arach said dryly. “Azrael knew something was wrong.”

“But I didnt tell him,” I huffed as I went to the tree.

“You came dangerously close.” Arach rolled his eyes.

I looked back at the sound of marching feet. The Red Caps were heading home. So much fuss over this tricksters game. I was going to make them wish theyd chosen other opponents.