And the realm will be locked away from this world, and from those who seek to open it.
Gaia’s voice flooded my thoughts with images. Dark turmoil, the winds of war raging across the land, nebulous shadows of terror and darkness, chaos unbound all came whirling through my mind as I watched the figures—so huge that I couldn’t even comprehend how big they were—ravaged the world, plunging it into one big vat of madness.
And then I knew. I knew where the portal led.
“This is the way into the realm of Chaos. This is the door Lyon’s seeking.”
He cannot see it, not yet. The way remains hidden. But eventually, he will find it. Destroy this, you destroy all chances.
I reeled. The answer to the worst of our problems was in front of me. The portal writhed with long tendrils that reminded me of worms. The Elder Gods of Chaos were madness incarnate and despair, and to see this gate opened would rain down horror on the world. Lyon had no clue what he was trying to undertake. But he would continue trying until he found a way because he was either stupid or demented.
“What do I do? What can I do?”
Destroy the gate. Seek Heimdall, with his horn resounding. Gjallarhorn will sound once again, signify the beginning, or the end of things.
And with that, Gaia vanished along with the World Tree, and I was curled on the ground, stuck in the Crossroads, too sick to move.
Chapter 3
“FURY? FURY?” A woman’s voice penetrated the fog encasing my head. I blinked against the brightness, then realized it was candlelight and even that was hurting my head. I tried to sit up, but Elan pushed me back. Hecate was standing in back of her, staring at me with a concerned look on her face.
“Elan…where am I?”
“You’re in your room, at UnderBarrow. Queet summoned Hecate to your aid, and she brought you here. Can you sit up yet, or do you need to lie back down?” Elan bathed my forehead with a cool cloth, and I closed my eyes, enjoying the feeling of water against my skin.
I felt like I had been burned raw by the fire, and I probably had, at least on an auric level. I knew that I wasn’t hurt physically—at least no more than when I took down an Abom. But psychically, I felt like a piece of raw meat. I drifted as she continued to wash my head.
“Fury?” Hecate’s voice brought me to attention. I could ignore the others, but I couldn’t ignore her.
“Yes?” I croaked out, my throat feeling scratchy.
“If you can sit up and tell us what happened, please do. We’ll help you.” She was firm, but caring, yet it was a demand rather than a request.
I groaned, but let Elan and Tam roll me to a sitting position. Patrice padded the headboard with pillows so I was propped up when they lay me back.
I squinted. The light didn’t seem so bad this time. “I’m thirsty. What time is it?”
“It’s almost dawn. You’ve been out for a long time. Here, drink this.” Tam held a cup to my lips.
I took a drink and sighed again. It was mint tea and honey, soothing to the senses as well as to the throat. I drank again, and then another sip before he took it away.
“You don’t want to drink too much, too fast, or you might throw up,” he said, stroking my hair back from my face. He sat down on the bed and leaned in.
“No, you don’t want to take this on—”
Tam’s kiss could heal. He could take on my pain and sweep it away from me with a touch or a kiss. I didn’t want him to know just how rough I was feeling, but he pushed aside my protests and pressed his lips to mine, kissing me deeply.
As the kiss intensified, the weariness began to drain out of my joints and muscles, and the fire that still burned in my thoughts vanished under a wave of cool, calm water that rolled in like the tide. I kissed him back then, drawing more strength from him. He could handle it, and I reveled as the scorched and blackened sensation began to wash away. Finally, I pulled away.
Tam held my chin, staring deep into my eyes. “My love, I’m so sorry. I’m so, so sorry. You were burning like the desert sun. So much pain…”
“I’m all right now, thanks to you. And thanks to Hecate, whom I assume brought me back off the Crossroads.” And it was true—I felt much better. Tired and hungry, and deeply thirsty, but I didn’t feel charred to the bone anymore.
Hecate moved over to sit by my bed. Tam scooched away to give her room. He crawled over me to sit beside me and wrapped his arm around my shoulders. Elan handed him the cup of tea. He held it to my lips, even though I was strong enough to take the glass myself, and I drained it dry. The mint and honey ran through me like a sweet balm.
“Tell us what you saw.” Hecate looked strained. “I know it was something powerful, but I can’t quite grasp what it was.”
I cleared my throat as the images flooded back. “I went into the fire. I had to in order to destroy the zombie the Abom had co-opted. After I burned him to ashes, the flame drew me deeper. There was something else there—it wasn’t just the flame, but a deep, dark force that welcomed me. I tried to resist but finally, I gave up and let it take me where it wanted.”
“That sounds like the edge of Vision, the chasm that most oracles come to, and they have to willingly drop into it in order to activate the sight. I didn’t know you had that ability.”
“I didn’t either. Anyway, I let it take me. When I opened my eyes, I was standing in front of the World Tree. And Gaia was there. She was so massive she blotted out the sky.” I couldn’t help it, as I spoke of the Great Mother, I was caught up in the wonder again, and I paused, closing my eyes to drift in her immensity once more.
“Gaia…” It wasn’t a question, but more of a whisper. Hecate leaned forward, staring at me. “The Earth Mother came to you? What did she say?”
I described her, and then what had happened. “She showed me where to find the gate to the realm of Chaos, and she told me who to go to in order to destroy it. When we destroy this gate, all the other gates to Chaos on all the other World Trees will vanish. The Order of the Black Mist won’t be able to open the doors no matter what they do.”
Everybody in the room was silent, including Hecate. I finally turned to her. “Do you know Heimdall?”
She shook her head. “No, but Thor and Freya do. I think he’s out here with them at New Valhalla—the temple they’re building out in the woods.” After a pause, she added, “I’m both stunned and grateful. But Fury, if Gaia came to you, then she’s been watching the course of events. If we don’t stop Lyon, you can guarantee she’ll take it into her own hands, and when Gaia moves, everybody stands a chance to lose.”
“Which means we don’t have a choice. She offered me the solution. We have to try it.” I shifted, fully awake now. Even though I was tired and hungry, I felt strangely alive, as if every cell in my body was vibrating. “I want to get up.”
“You should rest a little longer—” Tam started to say, but I pushed back the covers and shooed him off the bed.
“No, we have things to do.” I realized I was in a nightgown. “Patrice, can you get me one of my gauze skirts and a tank top?” To the others, I said, “I’m getting dressed. You can stay or wait outside.”
Jason and Elan quickly withdrew from the room. Hecate also. Tam stayed while Patrice helped me dress. My body was stiff, but a lot less stiff than it used to be, even with taking down an Abom. All my training sessions were paying off.
“Patrice, in a while, after we’ve talked, I’ll need a massage.”
“Yes, milady.” She was as good of a masseuse as any other I’d had. “Just let me know when.” She hung my nightgown over the clothing rack. “Are you hungry? Should I bring you some breakfast?”
I glanced at Tam. “We should hold a meeting of the Sea-Council this morning.”
“I can gather people in an hour. That will give you a chance to eat. Patrice, please get my Fury some breakfast. I think fruit, eggs, and bread would be best after what she went through.” He pulled me to him as Patrice di
screetly withdrew. When she had shut the door behind her, he leaned in, kissing me deeply as his hands caressed my back. “Oh, Fury, I was so worried. I know it’s your job, but I always fear for you when you chase after the Abominations. They could drain your soul if they catch you.”
“I know what they can do, love.” I burrowed into his embrace. “But I’m growing stronger every day, and my training with Hecate is increasing my power.” I rested my head on his shoulder. “I am afraid, though. Going back into Seattle to destroy the portal to the realm of Chaos isn’t going to be easy. You know Lyon will have his men swarming the tree, looking for it. That’s why we have to move, and move fast.”
“I will send an army with you to protect you, if it comes to it.” Tam paused, then—his hands on my shoulders—pushed me back a few steps. “Fury, six months ago, when we started on our way here, I told you that I had something to ask you. Well, I waited. I waited because we were in the midst of so many things. But I realize that there will never be a time where we’re in a lull. So now, I’m ready.”
My breath caught in my throat.
He took my hand in his. “Fury, Kaeleen Donovan. In the past six months, you’ve come to mean more to me than anyone has in a thousand years. In my world this seems quick, but I don’t have to wait. I want to marry you. I’m the Lord of UnderBarrow, and I want you to be my queen and rule over the Barrow with me.”
I stared at him. We had a quiet sort of love—but it ran deep and passionate. There were few arguments, and when there were, we resolved them and moved on. Tam wasn’t mired in angst, or uncertainty, and he was the most secure man I had ever met. When we came together, I had been totally taken unaware, but we quickly found our niche, and from the start, it had felt so right that I couldn’t understand why it hadn’t happened sooner, except for the fact that I had been carrying a torch for Jason at the time.
“Will your people accept me?”
He shrugged. “Those who will, already do. Those who won’t, can find another place to live. The Bonny Fae have long sought wives and husbands outside of our race to keep from inbreeding. While I am not half-human, or any other mix, many of our people are. The Fae side breeds true in the blood. You are not an anomaly, though I doubt we have had any Theosians join the Barrow.”
That was true enough. And I had encountered very little ill will in the months Tam and I had been together. I searched my heart, wanting to make certain I had no doubts or regrets, but then I realized—I didn’t need to. My only concern was in getting Hecate’s approval. Technically, she could stop me from doing anything, and I owed her my allegiance first. My thoughts must have shown on my face, because Tam lifted my hands and pressed them against his heart.
“I know you have to get Hecate’s permission. I understand that you will always and forever be bound to her first. She has your loyalty and devotion. I simply want your heart.” The sincerity in his voice reverberated through the room.
“As long as Hecate gives her approval, I will be your wife. I will live with you in UnderBarrow and join your people.” And as I spoke, the realization that I was pledging myself to this man who was so alien and yet so familiar broke through my reserve and I broke out laughing. For a moment, I shoved aside all thoughts of Aboms and duty and the Order of the Black Mist and simply reveled in the knowledge that Tam loved me, and that I loved him.
EVERYBODY MANAGED TO make the meeting. I pulled Hecate aside before we began. She had brought Freya, Thor, and Athena with her. Thor had also dug up Heimdall from somewhere. The god was tall and fair-haired and looked too yummy to be real.
We stepped out of the council room and I fidgeted a bit. We had been spending a lot of time together since my training intensified, but I had no idea how she was going to respond.
“What’s going on? Are you all right?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. I just have something to ask you.” I didn’t realize how nervous I had been that she might say “No.” But my heart started to pound, and my knees were shaking as I shifted from one foot to the other.
“For heaven’s sake, just spit it out. Something’s obviously bothering you.” Her eyes narrowed, and a concerned look washed across her face.
“Tam…he asked me…we want to…” I froze.
“Did he ask you to marry him?”
That broke me free. “Yes, he wants to marry me. I would like your permission. I love him, Hecate. I’ve never felt the way about anyone the way I do about him. I thought I was in love with Jason for years, but this is love. Jason, he was an infatuation.”
For a moment I thought she wasn’t going to respond but then she broke into a wide smile and leaned down to kiss my forehead. “You have my blessing as long as you remember: your oath always comes to me first. But I will do my best not to let it interfere with your life with him. You’ll still be fighting Abominations, and you’ll still be training with me, you understand?”
“Of course. I wouldn’t want it any other way. Though I wouldn’t mind if the Aboms went back to where they came from willingly. But I’m used to being active. I wouldn’t make a very good lady who only sits on her throne and never does anything.” And then the realization that she had given us her blessing hit me and I hugged myself, smiling uncontrollably. “Even though we’re facing some stiff odds, I’m so happy right now.”
“As you should be, Fury. You have to learn to take celebration where you can find it. If you don’t, life would be pretty sour indeed. Now come, let’s get to the meeting.” She opened the door and stood back, waiting for me to enter.
I ran over to Tam and whispered, “She said yes.”
He glanced at Hecate, who winked at him, and then grabbed me around the waist, pulling me snug to his side before quickly letting go.
As we gathered around the table, Tam stood, motioning for silence. “First, before any grave discussions, Fury and I have an announcement to make.” He gestured for me to stand. As I did, he took my hand. “We want to announce that we’re getting married. Fury will be my queen. Please say nothing outside of this room until we make the official announcement. Damh Varias, you will see to that, please. Don’t wait—notify the people today.”
Everybody in the room applauded. I looked over at Jason and he gave me a soft smile, and I knew that our relationship had just shifted from guardian and ward to one on equal footing.
As the chatter died down, Jason stood. “I hope we don’t seem like we’re upstaging you, but Elan and I also have an announcement. We were going to tell you yesterday but it got lost in the fray. But we need to say something now because Elan’s duties need to be cut short. You see, she’s pregnant. I’m the father.”
I almost choked on the muffin I had just bitten into. “A baby?”
They beamed. However, given how traditional the hawk-shifters could be, I was surprised they hadn’t announced an engagement while they were at it.
“Congratulations,” Tam said. “Elan, I order you to immediately stand down from your duties as my bodyguard. We’ll find something safer for you to do here while you’re with child. Damh, get on that as well. For now, sit in on the meetings, but you won’t be going out to help on anything more laborious than a berry-picking expedition.”
Elan started to protest, but stopped as he held up his hand. “Now, with two happy announcements out of the way, we should move on to the reason for the meeting. Last night, Fury took down an Abomination that was heading for the village. Fury, I turn it over to you.”
I outlined everything that had happened, and when I was done, the room was silent.
“I have to go back to Seattle, to the World Tree. Lyon’s looking for the gate. I have to find it before he does.”
“We can’t go in until we figure out exactly what we’re doing. Also, remember that since UnderBarrow moved, there won’t be any secret entrances like there were before—not from here.” Tam waved his hands at the others. “We need ideas. Don’t be shy. We need to brainstorm.”
“With the Deva
ni aligning forces with the Order of the Black Mist, isn’t this pretty much a suicide run? They’ll be watching the World Tree.” Tyrell didn’t look that impressed. He was a Theosian, bound to Dagda, the father of the Tuatha de Dannan.
“We can’t very well let that stop us. The world won’t be worth living in if they break open that gate,” I said. “Do you realize what happens if they find it?”
“Of course I do,” he said, sounding grumpy. “What I mean is—can’t we go in from another country? Isn’t there any way to contact Bifrost and have them send out someone there? They have World Trees over there, too, and if destroying a gate on one takes care of all of them, then why not leave this to somebody with more chance of getting through?” Tyrell was a good guy, but we had discovered, over the past few months, that he tended to get blustery when he thought that he was right. And not just blustery—downright belligerent at times.
I decided to nip the argument in the bud. “No, we can’t. The World Tree in Seattle is the mother tree—it’s the original. The portals can only be closed down on a worldwide basis from there. Not from any other tree.”
“So where is the gate on the tree?” Tyrell stared at me.
I shook my head. “I can’t tell you. I won’t be able to pinpoint it until I’m on the tree itself.”
He shrugged. “Do you have a plan yet?”
I shook my head. “Nope. Obviously, we need to do something before Lyon finds the portal and opens it. There’s no way of knowing when that will be, so the sooner the better.” I turned to Heimdall. “What did Gaia mean about seeking you out? And what’s Gjallarhorn?”
The Elder God looked a little unsettled. I had a feeling he wasn’t used to hanging out with the non-divine brigade. But after a quick, whispered consult with Thor, the stately Norse god answered. “Gjallarhorn is the Horn Resounding. Its sound can crumble any wall, destroy any edifice. But it can only be used when it agrees to be used. However, with a little of its power, I can fashion you a magical explosive to implode the portal and permanently close it.”