7. Chapter 7

Chapter 7

"The transition is an exceedingly dangerous time. As humans, we have forgotten what it is to have fae among us. They have not." – Lord Ian, Sixth Lord of Sídhetír.

I stared at his waiting hand—the open invitation to go with him. Disappearing with a dark fae didn't seem wise, yet I wanted to place my hand within his. I was curious, undeniably so. If Cethin wanted to harm me, he'd had ample opportunity to do so. I didn't think he would kill me, as idiotic as that notion was. Going with him was foolish, but the temptation overcame my sense.

Out of nowhere the dark clouds overhead opened, and water poured in heavy sheets, drenching me. Cethin glanced up, rain sluicing down his cheeks, his hand hovering in the air.

"You must decide, Aidan. The water will wash away any magical trace, and I will be unable to find your humans."

Nancy's grinning face appeared in my mind. The young girl liked to follow me about Elmbury when her parents were in town. I had no idea why, but she would take my hand or chase after me, usually calling me "pretty" because of my red hair.

"Let's go." I didn't take his hand; instead, I buried them deep into my pockets and moved to his side. Cethin raised an eyebrow but didn't remark. When he strode north, following a path I couldn't see, I asked, "Where are we going?"

"After the light fae who stole your humans. I have no idea where they went—hopefully, not to the fae realm. If they did, your humans are lost."

"We must hurry."

The rain didn't lessen as time passed but rather increased. Soon, my boots were squelching in the mud and shivers wracked my body.

Cethin's longer stride slowed to match mine. "Are you well, Aidan?"

"Why?"

"You're shaking. You shouldn't fear this light fae or any other. No matter who or what they are, I will not allow them to harm you."

"Do you mean that?"

"Yes," he said, staring directly at me. "I will kill anyone who tries to hurt you."

My stomach swooped and my mouth went dry. I forced myself to look away from Cethin. Clearing my throat, I said, "I'm shivering from the cold. Not fear."

"Ah. I apologize. I'm not well acquainted with humans or their needs. I shall learn. Fear not." His head tilted back. "Will this rain make you ill?"

"We need to hurry."

"Then hurry we shall. I very much doubt I would like you being ill."

I struggled to find something to say. Cethin didn't wait for a response; he gripped my elbow and started to walk faster, hauling me along. We rushed over the marshy hills. Mud splattered my trousers, and my wet clothes clung to my skin. I couldn't see more than a few feet in front of me, causing me to stumble every so often. Cethin's firm grip kept me upright, but he never deviated from the unseen path.

We stepped under a lone tree, which provided some shelter from the autumn storm. Water ran down my neck, and my hair stuck to my face. Cethin was no better. His long hair dripped water everywhere, and his wet clothes hugged his lean muscled body, giving me a scandalous view.

I peered around. "Where are the Hillridges?"

"The trail has washed away with the rain."

"We can't give up." I started to head back into the rain, and Cethin snagged me around my waist and drew me back into the shelter of the tree, my back pressed against his front, sending a pulse down my spine. It felt oddly right to be in his embrace—like I belonged there.

"You're shivering, Aidan. You need to return to the manor."

"I need to find the Hillridges."

"I shall get them. Go back."

I glanced in the direction of Byrne Manor. It was a long walk back in the torrential rain. Thomas and Phineas would be upset about my absence, to say the least. If they told Lord Byrne, he would search for me, and I would receive another lecture. Either way, the Byrnes would never let me out of their sight.

"You will get them?" I asked Cethin.

"I will do my best to retrieve your Hillridges."

I took a single step toward the manor and out of his arms, then paused as a thought wandered through my head. "Cethin, do you know where the Hillridges are?"

"Why do you ask?"

"You do, don't you?"

"Aidan, go home."

"Answer my question."

"I believe I know where they are," he said in a strained tone.

"Liar."

"Hardly. I cannot lie. I merely told you the path had disappeared, which it has." Cethin moved to stand right in front of me. His claws scraped on my cheek as he tucked my hair behind my ear, his fingertip tracing the shell. "You are very clever."

I refused to let his presence distract me. "Why are you trying to send me away?"

"I smell human blood and fire. I do not know whether your humans are alive or not. Also, I don't want you to watch me slaughter the fae, for I will. They are a threat to you, and they must die."

"I'm going with you."

His eyebrows drew together.

"Where are they?" I asked in an unyielding voice. I would not abandon the Hillridges to their fate, nor allow Cethin to face this threat alone—though I wished I'd brought my iron dagger, so I wasn't entering this fray weaponless.

Cethin started off once again, not arguing, and I trailed behind him, unease curling in my stomach. The Hillridges and their farmhands might be dead. Bile began to climb my throat, making me cough. I'd never seen a dead body. Death wasn't something I'd been exposed to. Even when my mother passed, I hadn't been permitted in the room or allowed to see her body afterward.

Straightening my spine, I was resolved to see this through, regardless of what lay at the end. Cethin remained close to me as he walked toward a cabin in the distance, not far from the looming trees of the forest.

I swiped the hair off my forehead, but the rain plastered it to my skull, making the strands slide in front of my eyes yet again. "Is that it?"

"I believe so. I smell copious amounts of human blood."

"Let's go." When I moved past him, Cethin snagged my wrist and drew me back. "What?"

"I will go first. Stay behind me and retrieve the humans while I deal with the fae. Do you understand?"

"Fine."

We started in the direction of the cabin with Cethin in the lead. He slowed as we approached, his steps silent in the pouring rain. But the water and wooden walls of the cabin didn't block the agonized screams coming from inside. My heart thrashed as I raced to the building. I had to help them. Thunder rumbled and lightning crashed into a tree, setting it on fire. The rain, if possible, grew heavier.

Cethin smoothly moved in front of me, forcing me to stop. "Calm yourself. A frantic mind will not help this situation."

I took a deep breath in an attempt to slow the rapid beat of my heart.

"Again. You're not ready."

"Cethin, we don't have time for this," I snapped, struggling to keep my voice low.

"When you get inside, do not try to help me or attack the fae. Do not be distracted by what you see. Get the humans who are alive and run. Do not look back. If all the humans are dead, leave and return to the tree."

"I understand."

His eyes met mine in a calculating glance, but he said no more. Cethin thrust out his left hand, and shadows, glowing with stars and blue flowers like the tattoos on his skin, flowed down his arm and began to take the shape of an obsidian sword. He gripped the silver hilt and looked at me.

I had to help whoever was still alive. The screams coming from inside the cabin had to end, and I had to be a part of the solution.

In one smooth motion, Cethin opened the door and stepped inside.