and, as you said, I am an alpha, too. Maybe no longer of an active pack, but I once was. I can give orders that have to be obeyed if necessary. And Rachel’s presence will help.”
Just as he finished speaking, Riven, and Nissa flashed into the room, having finished dropping off their charges.
“All but Gavril and Rachel will be coming to Colorado with us,” Peri told him. Then Peri turned to address the fae. “Would you three be willing to stay here and help protect the Keep? I would like to put a powerful ward over the mountain, and considering we are trying to keep out Alston, who seems to be growing in power, I think all of our magic is necessary. Adam and Elle’s magic, too.”
“Of course,” Nissa said. “I will do whatever you think is best for me to help.”
Ona bowed her head. “I am happy to help however I can as well.”
“I will do anything I can to help.” Riven bowed his head as well.
“I could add my power to yours,” Jareth said.
“Just don’t bring the mountain down on top of us, please,” Adam said, sounding as if he was only half joking.
Peri motioned for the fae to gather, and Jareth joined them. The others stepped back as Peri, Elle, Adam, Nissa, Ona, Riven, and Jareth all raised their hands. Power began to glow in their hands, and Peri turned her palms outward and pressed them to Elle, who was on her right, and to Adam, who was on her left. The others did the same until they were all connected. The fae magic was white, while Jareth’s magic was blue.
Peri focused her will on the Keep. “Direct your attention to the mountain,” she told the others. “See it covered in your power. Picture it as an impenetrable force.”
Then she began to speak in the ancient language of her people. She felt the power flowing out of them, strong and powerful. She could feel the rage in her own magic, fueled by the pain of her friends’ deaths.
As she finished the spell, she added a ward that would keep any enemy who entered the forest near the mountain trapped. They would simply walk in circles, unable to get farther away but also unable to get closer to the Keep.
She dropped her hands and pulled her magic back in. “That should do it.”
“What exactly did you do?” Crina asked.
“We shut the Keep down. The only ones who can get in or out are the fae standing right here.” She motioned to their group. “Nissa, Ona, and Riven will be able to get to us if the Keep is in trouble and needs us. And they will make sure that everyone here has everything they need.”
“I will help keep up with that,” Rachel said.
“Recruit some of the other females in the pack to help. Giving them something to do will help take their minds off of things.” Peri paused and then shook her head. “No, it actually won’t, but it will at least make them feel helpful.”
Rachel smiled. “Agreed.”
“I think that covers everything,” Lucian said. “We need to be on our way.”
“I need to return to my elders and see what is going on,” Jareth said.
“I can take you to your veil.” Nissa took his hand and they flashed.
Adam, Elle, and Peri all held their arms out, and the non-fae of their group grabbed on. A moment later, they were gone.
The group reappeared in the driveway of the Colorado pack mansion. Adam and Elle followed Peri’s trail. She thought it best they not suddenly appear inside of Dillon’s home. She imagined tensions were high.
Peri was about to take a step toward the door when she was suddenly not in the driveway any longer. She was standing at the top of a mountain, and stretched out below her was desert tundra. She was in Arizona.
“I thought it fitting we have this conversation here, Perizada of the fae.”
Peri felt the goddess’ power a second before the Great Luna spoke.
Peri bowed her head. “I am honored by your presence.”
“But you are not glad to see me,” the goddess said, and it wasn’t a question.
Peri clenched her jaw. She didn’t want to say something disrespectful to a being that could quite simply wipe the floor with her.
“You know that loss is a part of life, child,” the Great Luna said gently.
Peri nearly smiled at the word “child.” Considering how old Peri was, she was as far from a child as one could get.