Chapter 14

Iwas grateful for the stack of blueberry pancakes that greeted me on the kitchen table. My body felt hollow after last night's experience, and that included my stomach.

"Good morning, sleepyhead." Addison stood wedged in the corner of the countertops. She held up the coffee pot. "Want some? It's fresh."

"I think I will, thanks."

"I have an ulterior motive. I'd like you fully awake and alert when you tell me about last night. Spare no detail." She filled a mug with the true nectar of the gods and set it in front of me with a dramatic flourish.

"Let me eat a few bites first, before I ruin my appetite."

Addison winced as she sat across from me. "That bad, huh?"

"It was a mixed bag." I'd seen my parents, yes, but I'd expected to have a conversation. To tell them I missed them. To hug them. But I was unable to do any of those things. To add insult to injury, the family reunion was cut short by my ancient past. I was dumped into the underworld so that Melinoe could enjoy a reunion with her parents, who couldn't even be bothered to show up. Even worse, there was now a very good chance The Corporation knew my identity.

"Nobody turned up to steal me away while you were gone, so you were right about that," Addison said.

"And you were probably right that it was a trap."

Her head snapped to attention. "Why? What happened?"

I shook my head.

The ends of her mouth curved downward. "You still don't trust me."

"It isn't that… Okay, it's partly that, but mainly it's because I'm still processing." It was hard to accept that only hours ago, I'd been in the same room as my parents until Melinoe interfered. The goddess within me had ruined my life yet again. If I'd anticipated that outcome, I wouldn't have accepted the offer. No doubt The Corporation had anticipated it, which was the reason they'd extended the offer in the first place. My only hope was that they still believed I was an avatar. It wasn't ideal, but it was better than the alternative.

Addison snatched a blueberry from my plate. "These are nice and plump."

I resisted the urge to stab her hand with my fork. "Didn't Nana Pratt make you pancakes too?"

"She didn't make them. I did."

I glanced at the mess in the kitchen, which I'd failed to notice when I first entered in my groggy state. "That was kind of you."

"I figured you'd need comfort food. The Corporation has that effect on people."

"Thank you."

"I devoured mine before you came down, so don't think I was completely selfless." She patted her stomach. "They were delicious if I do say so myself. When I leave here, I might try working as a short order cook in a rural diner. One of those places that only serves truckers and travelers. I'll wear a name tag, but everybody will call me ‘honey' or ‘sweetie' anyway."

Her comment took me by surprise. "Are you thinking about leaving soon?"

Addison searched my face. "Is that a hopeful question?"

It wasn't. For all her flaws, I was beginning to enjoy her company. Gods help me.

"I think you should leave, but not for the reason you think."

A look of alarm crossed her features. "What do you mean?"

"How likely is it that Mathis monitored my experience last night through some kind of supernatural surveillance?"

"I give it a solid eight."

"That's what I was afraid of."

"Why does it matter?" Addison asked. "I thought you were getting a family reunion. Are you embarrassed they saw you hug your mommy?"

My phone vibrated between us. "Let's just say I got the deluxe version."

Addison tapped the table. "You're getting a call from West."

"I can see that." The phone continued to bounce lightly on the wood surface until I hit the speaker button. "Tell me it's not the Wild Hunt."

"Looks like the starter kit," West said. "Four travelers came through the crossroads on horseback, plus a magical guy in a cloak. Magical guy incapacitated the guards and tied them to trees."

"How did they break free?"

"Once they regained consciousness, they shifted."

"Any idea who he is?" He didn't sound like a hunter.

"Paulie said the guy didn't lay a finger on them, just pointed and hummed like he was conducting an orchestra."

"He's a druid," Matilda said, appearing in the doorway. Her hair was disheveled, and her clothing was lined with deep creases. "The others are scouts."

That made sense. A druid's magic was deeply connected to nature.

"Why send a druid?" West asked.

Matilda approached the table. "He's preparing for the Wild Hunt's arrival. The scouts' job is to track and anticipate locations to make the hunt a smoother experience."

"Then what's the job of the druid?" I asked.

Her mouth tightened. "To ensure failure isn't an option."

"Is that standard?" West asked.

Anger burned in Matilda's eyes. "No, but nothing Vortigern does is standard when it comes to the hunt. He's corrupted the entire experience."

The druid's presence was likely my fault. If I hadn't sent the hobgoblin with a warning, Vortigern's paranoia wouldn't have intensified. I should've realized the move would do more harm than good.

"I've got wolves tracking them," West said.

The fact that the druid didn't kill the guards was encouraging. "Tell them to keep a safe distance and text me updates on their locations."

"Will do."

I hung up and looked at Matilda. "When did you get here?"

"I was asleep on the sofa."

Addison smiled up at her. "If only you had a mattress."

I kept my focus on the Night Mallt. "Did you know about this?"

"The scouts but not the druid. I received an update last night, but I expected them later in the day."

"If they're here now, how long until Vortigern shows up?"

"That I don't know."

"Who gave you the report?" I wasn't sure she could trust anyone inside the Wild Hunt.

"Claude's other hand."

Not the answer I expected.

"His head is currently planted in the garden outside Vortigern's residence. Looks like a rotting cabbage so no one questions it. He's been listening outside the window and relaying the intel to his hand, which then relays it to me."

Huh. As far as spies went, revenants were even better than crows.

"What's our plan?" I asked.

Matilda grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl and took a generous bite. "Ride out to meet them, of course. This is our chance to parley."

"Is there any point? Based on everything you've told me; they're not going to listen. They'll be more afraid of Vortigern than us."

"We may learn information from them that will aid us in our defense."

I laughed. "You think they'll answer our questions because we asked nicely?"

"Who said anything about asking nicely? Fetch a weapon or two, cariad, but nothing too extreme. Reserve those for the horde. If nothing else, we'll distract them from their task."

And if we were really lucky, we might find the stag and relocate it.

Matilda tossed the core of the apple into the trashcan. "I'll meet you outside. Hurry."

I bolted from the kitchen. Addison greeted me at the base of the staircase, holding my dagger in her hand.

"You didn't lock your weapons trunk," she said.

"Nope."

"Why not?"

I raised my eyebrows. "Do you think I should?"

"They're right at the edge of your bed. Aren't you worried I'll attack you in your sleep?"

"You're Aite. You don't need a weapon to inflict pain, but you can't come with us."

"I know. I brought this down for you." She handed the dagger to me. "I wouldn't bother taking more than this."

"That's what Matilda said."

"Great minds think alike. Have you ever fought a druid?"

"No." But I sensed Addison was about to tell me about the many times she had.

"A few years ago, The Corporation sent me to the Outer Hebrides. Have you ever been?"

"No."

"Beautiful scenery. More frigid than Hera's heart in winter. Anyway, it's a long story, but the important part is I had to remove a druid from a potentially volatile situation, and he did not make it easy."

"Did you win?"

Her smile was infectious. "Of course. Sadly, the druid didn't make it. Hard to live without your head." She frowned. "Although your buddy Claude seems to do okay."

"Revenants are a special case."

She nodded. "I missed the chance to take him by surprise. My mistake. It took me several broken weapons and a bruised body before I accepted that I couldn't defeat him that way. His magic was too strong."

"What did you do?"

"I activated my tattoo to use his magic against him." She rolled up her sleeve and showed me the image of a gilded mirror covered in roses on her inner forearm. "It's mirror magic."

"Why not start with that?"

She shrugged. "Forgot it was there. Got it when I was blind drunk. According to bystanders, I thought it would be hilarious to use it against my enemies and tell them ‘I'm rubber. You're glue. Whatever you say or do bounces off me and sticks to you.'"

"Honestly, if you're going to get a magical tattoo when you're nearly passed out, that seems like a good one to have."

She contemplated the tattoo. "Apparently I thought so, too."

"I appreciate the anecdote, but what's my takeaway? That I should get a mirror tattoo on my way to Wild Acres?"

"Gods, no. You'd need access to a highly skilled technician for that. You'll have to rely on whatever your mysterious powers are to defend yourself."

"I don't think he's here to fight." Otherwise, his encounter with the guards would've gone in a more violent direction.

I started toward the door.

"Want me to cook dinner?" she called after me. "I spotted chicken thighs in the fridge." She paused. "Or we could order a pizza."

"Do whatever your gut tells you."

"That's not helpful. My gut always votes for carb loading."

I exited the house as my phone vibrated with a text from Anna Dupree, sending the druid's current location. If I hurried, I could intercept him.

Are you sure you want us to leave him be? He looks wimpy. I think I can take him alone.

Don't be fooled, I replied. Leaving now.

Matilda rode her steed, and I rode mine. Betsy was faster than the mare, so I stayed well under the speed limit to allow the Night Mallt to keep up. Stables were commonplace enough in the area that nobody would question the sight of a galloping horse alongside a motorcycle.

I traveled as far into the woods as the motorcycle could fit, bypassing the yellow tape set up by the police department. I was pleased to see West's phone call to Chief Garcia had the desired outcome. It paid to have friends in local law enforcement.

From here, I'd follow Anna's directions to the druid on foot. I parked the motorcycle between two birches. Matilda remained astride her horse to search for the scouts.

"Ahoy, you lot!" a voice called. "Clear the path or meet your doom."

I cut a glance at Matilda. "You didn't mention there was a pirate theme. I would've worn my eye patch."

A horse trotted into the clearing and came to a halt. Its rider looked down at us with a gap-toothed grin. "I know you, lass," he said to Matilda.

"I should think so, Reginald. You rode alongside me for thirty years." Her hands cemented to her hips. "And what's this lass nonsense? Show some respect."

"Forgive me, Night Mallt." His horse sniffed in my direction and immediately jerked to the right, whinnying. Reginald attempted to calm his steed. "What magic have you brought with you?"

"Never mind us. Why are you riding alone?" Matilda asked.

"I serve as a scout now." Reginald didn't look particularly pleased with his new role.

"Why would Vortigern be so foolish as to waste your skills? Why not appoint Angus as a scout? He tracks far better than he shoots."

Reginald bowed his head. "Angus is no longer with us."

"I'm sorry to hear that. What happened?"

"Vortigern sent him away, same as you."

Matilda's eyes grew cold and hard. "Why?"

"He questioned the damage done by the hunt in Siberia. Vortigern didn't take kindly to the criticism." Reginald licked his lips. "Out of respect for our history, I'm going to tell you this as a courtesy—Vortigern sent a druid with us. I don't know what his task is, but I reckon it's nothing good."

"Since when do we need druids to hunt?" Matilda asked.

"Since a certain hobgoblin returned from here, along with a threatening message for Vortigern. To say he was dismayed is putting it mildly."

I suddenly became engrossed in the growth pattern of a nearby thicket.

"But he perked up when the hobgoblin mentioned a white stag."

Alarm bells rang in my head. "The hobgoblin saw it?"

"No, he overheard a couple werewolves talking about trying to find it. That the creature has great power, which is why the gods granted its ability to evade capture." Reginald sighed. "Of course, now that Vortigern knows there's a white stag, all he cares about is killing it and claiming its power. Wants to prove he's superior to any legend."

Matilda shook her head. "Vortigern is an affront to the institution."

Reginald leaned over. "I would tell you I agree with you, except he's got feathered spies in the trees. Can't be sure who's listening." He cast a wary look at the treetops. "I should get on with it. We only have until sundown tomorrow to complete our tasks." He paused. "But you didn't hear that from me."

Matilda pretended to zip her lips.

Reginald gripped the reins and urged his horse forward. "Good hunting, Night Mallt."

She bowed her head. "Forgive me if I don't wish you the same."

Reginald rode deeper into the forest.

"I have a lock on the druid," I said. "I'll see if I can find out his purpose." I didn't want any of the wolves to get hurt.

Matilda stroked her mare"s head. "You should head straight home after that, cariad. Save your strength for sundown tomorrow. We'll most certainly need it."

"What about you?"

"I intend to shadow the scouts. See if they manage to track the stag."

"And if they do?"

"At this point, I'm willing to do whatever it takes to prevent Vortigern from taking its power."

"You'd kill the stag?" Her remark shouldn't have surprised me, yet it did.

She cocked an eyebrow. "You disapprove?"

"Why not send the stag to another realm like we intended?"

"You heard Reginald. Vortigern is obsessed and demented. He'll track the stag to the ends of the universe just to show the gods who's boss. We cannot allow him to access the stag's power." She fastened the toggle of her cloak. "I'll be home in time for dinner. What are we having?"

"Pizza."

"As long as it isn't deep dish."

"We share a border with New York and New Jersey. I'd be escorted from home in handcuffs if I ordered deep dish." I glanced at my phone. Another update from Anna. "The druid is headed toward the Falls."

"No doubt he senses the magical energy. It would be difficult not to for a druid. Stay safe, cariad." Matilda pulled up the hood of her cloak and merged with the shadows.

I sprinted in the direction of the Falls. There was no sign of Anna or any other werewolves, but I was comforted by the knowledge that they were in the vicinity.

The Falls roared in the foreground. The brown cloak was difficult to see amidst the trees, which was probably the idea. Druid camouflage.

I approached with caution. Just because he didn't kill the guards didn't mean he'd take kindly to a perceived sneak attack.

The druid's eyes were closed in silent prayer. His reaction to the Falls didn't surprise me. The Celts revered water—they viewed it as essential to life, a source of healing, and a connection to the Otherworld, and directly ahead of us was water on steroids.

Sensing my presence, he opened his eyes and smiled. "So much power." He rubbed his hands together and then held them outstretched, as though warming them by a fire.

"It's beautiful, too."

The druid turned to observe me. His irises appeared almost black. "Indeed." He strode closer to the edge, and I followed. He inhaled deeply, as though extracting the energy from the air through his nostrils.

"You're closely connected to nature. You derive your magic from it. Why help someone like Vortigern who decimates the land where he hunts?"

He tilted his head. "Because he will reward me handsomely for my service."

"And what service is that?"

He lowered his head to reveal a smooth bald head. "Secure the area by removing any threats to his success."

"Then why not kill the guards? They're the first line of defense."

His brow furrowed. "Do you think I should? Because that can still be arranged."

I crossed my arms across my chest. "Great. Of all the druids, I have to get the one who moonlights as a comedian."

"I was told to use my best judgment. The wolves seemed relatively harmless."

"You only say that because they were probably playing soccer when you got there."

He smiled again. "Tic-Tac-Toe in the dirt. With sticks."

"They're more ferocious than they appear."

"Are you still trying to convince me to kill them?"

"No, of course not," I said loudly, hoping that if Anna and friends were within earshot, they'd hear my response loud and clear. Our truce was in its infancy. No need to ruffle any fur.

"What do you know about the waterfall?" the druid asked. "I sense a powerful connection between here and the crossroads."

"You sense correctly."

"Fascinating. Their connection isn't the only power I sense. Tell me, do these waters have healing properties?"

"I don't know." I had my own healing properties—no natural bodies of water required, although a hot shower did wonders for my mood.

He looked at me sideways. "Let's find out, shall we?" Humming, he waved a hand. Vines snapped and slithered up my calves, coiling around them like a python squeezing its prey. I struggled against them but to no avail.

"In case you're wondering," the druid said, "this is me removing a threat."

Yep, a real comedian.

I managed to extract my dagger from my boot and dropped my phone in the process. A problem for Future Lorelei. More vines clawed at my body, yanking me toward the water's edge. I tried to cut through the vines and was rewarded with a gash on my leg. Another set of vines forced my wrists together, knocking the dagger to the ground alongside the phone.

The howl of a wolf split the air.

I teetered on the edge for what seemed like a full minute, although in all likelihood it was a matter of seconds. Blood spilled down my jeans, slathering the rocks in crimson. The outsole of my boot slipped. Relief flooded me as I fell toward the ground, until the druid's foot made contact with the small of my back.

The world turned upside down as I plunged into the ice-cold water of the Falls.

The overwhelming sound of rushing water was quickly replaced by silence. I felt like a ragdoll, limp and unable to control my limbs as the swift current swept me away.

My body crashed against boulders and rocks. The force of one such blow to the head set my teeth on edge. I clung to consciousness.

I was going to die in this frigid water. If I didn't drown first, I'd bleed to death. So much for pizza night.

The druid could rot in all the circles of hell. I hoped Kane and Dantalion escorted him there personally.

Kane.

We'd only begun to trust each other, to be vulnerable and expressive. The hot demon sex I envisioned would forever remain a fantasy.

This was complete and utter bullshit.

I expected water to fill my lungs, or to lose consciousness, but I realized I was simply floating downward, tugged gently by an invisible force.

The water was much deeper than I imagined. Darkness gave way to light as the rocks and boulders dissolved, along with the fish. I was no longer at the bottom of a river.

I seemed to be nowhere at all.

Even the vines had abandoned me. My arms and legs were free to move, yet there was no water in which to swim.

Ahead of me, a silhouette took shape.

Her features cemented. Beautiful. Fierce. Terrifying.

"How?" was the only word I managed to utter.

"You should have exercised more caution, little rose." She clucked her tongue.

Little rose. "Who are you?"

"I believe you mean, who are we?" Her form split into three identical versions of the original.

My head throbbed, making it difficult to focus. Three sisters, but not the Moirai.

They were the vision from Phaedra's cauldron.

The woman on the left beamed with pride. "We have hidden her well, sisters."

The middle one nodded. "A warrior like us. A survivor."

Pain and confusion swirled in my head. "I hate to burst your bubble, but I'm about to drop dead at your feet. The only thing you'll be hiding is a corpse."

"You will do no such thing," the sister on the left said.

I thought of my attempted summoning with Goran. "Are you the Givers?"

The sisters scoffed in unison. "How insulting," the middle one murmured.

"I am Nemain," the middle one said, "and these are my sisters, Badb and Macha. Together, we're known as…"

"Wait. I know this one. The Morrigan." I was about to die in front of the Celtic goddesses of fate. Why hadn't the Moirai seen this coming? Celts - 1 Greeks - 0.

Nemain smiled. "You know of us."

"My grandfather thought it was important to educate me on subjects I wouldn't learn in school."

"He served you well," Macha said.

"Why are you here? Or more importantly, why am I here?"

"We have a duty to you, Melinoe," Badb said.

I flinched. "You know my identity."

Macha winked. "We know much and more."

"Why? I'm not one of yours."

"We swore an oath, and we intend to honor it," Nemain explained.

"I don't understand. Melinoe's origin isn't Celtic."

"But Lorelei Clay's is," Nemain said. "You were reborn into this world with Celtic roots on both sides of your human family, which allows us to exercise dominion over you."

"We marked you as ours when you were born," Macha added, "so that no other pantheon could claim you and exert their influence."

"Or find you," Badb said.

I touched my forehead. "The rose is yours."

"We chose a symbol that reflected your origin," Badb explained.

I remembered the rose from the throne in the underworld. "Persephone."

Nemain nodded. "Roses also symbolize secrecy. It seemed only apt."

Of course. Ancient Greeks even used the term ‘sub rosa,' which meant under the roses. Hidden. Secret. And Harpocrates received the rose as a gift from the gods for keeping their secrets. Apt, indeed.

My pulse fluttered. "The Fates … the Moirai, when they found me, they added me to their database."

"Fear not, little rose," Nemain said. "Those spinsters are too distracted by their modern sewing kits to involve themselves."

"Involve themselves in what?" My head seemed clearer now, and I realized I no longer felt the pain of my wound. I was either dead or healed. I prayed for the latter.

"Your parents suspected you would retain no memories of the past," Macha said, "which is why they entrusted us with the information."

"My parents? I'm sorry. I hit my head on the way down here and I think I have a concussion." In fact, maybe this entire interaction was nothing more than a dream.

Nemain watched me closely. "Haven't you figured it out yet, little rose?"

I was more accustomed to hiding knowledge than lacking it. I had to admit, I didn't enjoy the feeling of being stumped.

The sisters exchanged glances.

"Just as you and Melinoe are one and the same, so are your parents," Badb said.

Did. Not. Compute. "No, that's not right. My parents were human. They died as mortals do. Pops was my mother's father. There are photos…"

Nemain clasped her hands together. "Ah, yes. Your grandfather. Did you ever wonder about his expertise on subjects such as mythology and weaponry?"

That was easy. "Once he knew who I was, he learned for my benefit, so he could teach me and protect me."

"And how did he learn your true identity?" Macha asked.

"My powers showed themselves early," I began. "He and my grandmother figured it out and they…" The more I spoke, the more ludicrous the words sounded, even to my own ears. Pops was a Navy veteran. A guy with a workshop and a comic book collection. What powers could I possibly have displayed that would've allowed him to piece it together?

"He already knew," I whispered.

"When you were still ensconced in your mother's womb," Badb confirmed.

"My parents were…" The realization nearly knocked me off my feet.

"The same as Melinoe's original parents," Nemain said with a bright smile. "Which is how you came to be. Again."

"But they were murdered," I said.

"The Corporation doesn't take kindly to avatars that escape their program," Nemain explained.

My stomach lurched as the missing pieces clicked into place. Dana and James—my human parents—were the avatars of Persephone and Hades.

"The gods were reunited through their human counterparts," Nemain continued. "They wished to be together again, live as husband and wife, but there are strict rules."

Yes. Addison had mentioned them.

My fingers brushed the invisible mark on my forehead. "This was to keep me hidden from The Corporation."

"Your parents had been meeting in secret. They left when they discovered your mother's pregnancy," Badb said.

"There would have been no hiding their relationship at that point," Nemain added. "They had already grown disenchanted with their employers, and they knew you'd be ripped from your mother before you could draw your first breath."

"But how did they know I would be a goddess? Wasn't it more likely that she'd give birth to a human child?"

"Your mother consulted with us," Macha said. "She knew we had no ties to The Corporation. We could not see everything, but we saw enough."

I asked the obvious question. "Did you know they'd be murdered?"

They bowed their heads in unison.

"What has been written cannot be unwritten," Nemain said.

Goody, prophet-speak. My favorite.

"The Corporation discovered your parents' whereabouts and took swift action," Macha told me. "Perhaps if their employers had acted with more care and consideration, they would have discovered you too."

"All this still doesn't explain why you agreed to help them."

"If The Corporation knew their avatars had produced a natural born goddess, can you imagine what the ramifications would have been for others on their roster?" Nemain asked.

I shuddered. I didn't want to imagine the experiments that would've resulted from that knowledge.

"We are, for lack of a better term, an endangered species," Badb said. "It is in our best interest to look after our own, no matter the pantheon. We saw the end of our era coming long ago, yet the gods and goddesses refused to heed our warnings. They were too arrogant to believe that one day, their only means of existence would rest on human shoulders."

"Or in them," I said. "Does that mean there are no deities left in their original forms?"

"Oh, there are some," Nemain replied. "Mostly they slumber or have grown too weak to function in this realm."

"Which is why so many choose to return as avatars," Badb added. "They retain a certain amount of power, although their human vessels restrict their full strength."

A thought bloomed. "Matilda, the Night Mallt. Did you send her to look after me?" I hadn't questioned her friendship or her protective nature, although it should've been obvious that a Celtic spirit had no reason to protect a Greek goddess.

"We entrusted her to guide you away from danger," Macha said. "Given the Wild Hunt and your presence here now, it seems she has failed in that regard. How very disappointing."

"Vortigern is one of yours, too. Isn't there something you can do about that prick?"

"We are aware of his fate," Macha said, "but we will say no more than that."

"Are you aware of my fate? The Moirai didn't have any control over mine, which I could tell bothered them. Which one of you lucky girls gets to snip the thread?" I made a cutting motion with my fingers.

"We did not engage with you to discuss your end of days," Badb said. "Only your current ones."

I felt like a topnotch moron. All these years I'd spent hiding my powers, learning to defend myself, keeping others at arm's length, and it was all for nothing. The Corporation would've been able to identify my parents during the reunion as the avatars they'd murdered. Now they had enough information to figure out my identity. I'd grown too comfortable, too complacent, and now I'd pay the price. Everything my parents and grandparents had done to keep me safe had been in vain.

And it was all my fault.

"Why are you revealing all this to me now?" I asked.

"Because the tide has turned," Macha said, "and our arrangement has reached its natural conclusion."

The tide had turned because The Corporation knew I wasn't an avatar … because I accepted a deal I shouldn't have. I'd been so desperate for a moment with my parents that I'd managed to undo all their hard work to keep me safe. The cruel irony.

The three sisters merged to become one again. Only the Morrigan stood before me now.

"Does this mean I'm no longer under your protection?"

"The mark has been removed as it is no longer necessary," she replied. "We would not deliberately place you in harm's way, but this is as far as we agreed to take you. You have the information and power you need. The only question that remains is—do you have the will to survive what comes next?"

Gee, that didn't sound the least bit ominous, especially coming from the mouth of the Morrigan.

The image faded to black, the waters receded, and I found myself atop a slick boulder beside the river, far enough downstream that I no longer heard the pounding of the Falls.

Unsteady, I climbed to my feet and walked carefully to solid ground. I didn't fancy a repeat dip in the water. There was no sign of the druid or anyone else.

Despite the ground beneath my feet, I still felt like I was drowning. I staggered under the weight of my newfound knowledge, desperate to fill my lungs with the air around me. To call it information overload was an understatement.

I surveyed the forest, feeling confused and disoriented. My instincts told me to run to Kane, but between the scouts and the druid, it seemed unwise to head toward the Devil's Playground.

I got my bearings and started toward town. I needed to feel safe. To see people going about their day as usual. To witness the normalcy of Fairhaven after what I'd just learned.

I wobbled on my legs like they were stilts until I regained my composure—and then I ran like hell.