Blackbird Crowned (The Witch King's Crown #3) - Keri Arthur Page 0,106

through now and keep you updated on movements,” she said.

“Thanks, Ginny,” Luc said and hung up.

The phone pinged as the image came through. We studied it for several seconds and then Luc said, “Are you getting any indication from the earth on what may wait inside the house?”

“Not with my mage powers, and I dare not use Elysian in case she sets off an echo in his sword.”

Luc frowned. “What makes you think that’s possible?”

“When I was on that bridge, just before Max arrived, Elysian and his sword appeared to perceive each other.”

“Was she in the gray?”

“Only partially.”

“Even so, it shouldn’t have been possible.” His frown deepened. “What sort of distance are we talking about?”

I hesitated. “Can’t really say. Not that far, but I don’t think we can afford to take the chance.”

“No, I guess not.” He scraped a hand across his bristly jaw. “Maybe you should avoid the place and let me—”

“You know that’s never going to happen, so why even mention it?”

His cheeks puffed out, frustration evident. “Because every now and again, my protective instincts kick in.”

“They should know better by now, especially when Mo is in danger.”

“They should, but they don’t.”

“I’m Elysian’s wielder, and I have no choice but to be in this fight.”

“I know.” He sighed and then reached into the car and pulled out the crown and the coronation ring, handing them to me. “I’ll take care of the outer circle of half-demons; you go in through the gate and take out the inner one. We’ll meet in the middle and go hard and fast into the house.”

My stomach did a series of vicious flip-flops. “You make it sound so damn easy.”

“It won’t be, and we both know it.” He touched a hand to my face, his fingers oh-so gentle. “But as you said, you’re Elysian’s wielder and Mo’s granddaughter. Max has no idea of your true strength.”

I half laughed, though it came out a somewhat strangled sound. “After London, he’ll damn well suspect.”

“When it comes to Elysian and the gates, yes, but he has no clue just how much power you personally wield.”

That was also doubtful, given the lightning I’d flung at him on the bridge. But there was little point in saying anything when we’d find out soon enough.

Luc tilted my face, kissed me so deeply that my heart ached, and then stepped back. His eyes were vivid pools of caring and worry. “I’ll send a text when I’m near the first of the outer ring’s hot spots. We’ll hit them at the same time, and hopefully without an alarm being raised.”

I nodded even as I suspected neither hope nor luck would play in our favor this afternoon.

He hesitated, his expression briefly conflicted, as if he wanted to add or do something, then he simply stepped around me and strode purposely out the door. The light immediately wrapped around his body and stole him from sight, leaving me feeling more alone and uncertain than I had in ages.

I sucked in a breath, mentally told myself to get a grip, then glanced down at the crown. There was no life in it at the moment, no power, but maybe there wouldn’t be until I gripped Elysian. I hooked it onto my belt and then tugged the ring off the chain and slipped it onto my finger. Despite it looking far too big, it fit like a glove.

An old mage’s magic, I thought. Or maybe even an old goddess’s.

I took a deep breath and then made my way out of the barn and down to the road. The hedgerow was tall enough that I could barely see the farmhouse’s red-tiled roof, which at least meant that if someone had been watching the road, they weren’t likely to spot me. Not from this distance, anyway.

I began the long trek back to the farm, keeping to the middle of the road simply because it was easier on my bare feet. Thankfully, there was no traffic and it was mostly downhill. Once I was close to the old farm, I drew Nex and gripped her tightly. Her blade remained quiet, which at least meant none of the half-bloods were lying in wait near the gate. It didn’t mean there couldn’t be humans or even a magical trap of some kind there, of course. Tris wouldn’t have been the only full-blood witch working for my brother.

The hedgerow gave way to a neatly trimmed lime-yellow conifer hedge that led up to an old wooden gate and then lined one side