at the next site when the emerald started to vibrate. Its temperature went up so high that my scales emerged to protect me.
“Vervain?” Odin asked anxiously.
“I don't know what's happening.” I looked at him in panic.
“It's the magic. It's taken too much,” Odin hissed. “Trace to Faerie now!”
I didn't argue or ask any questions; I just traced. The Aether took me and, even with the magic burning at my throat, it deposited me before the Great Tree of Faerie smoothly. I stumbled away from the massive trunk and fell onto my knees, my hands digging into the soil as I urgently summoned the magic out of the stone.
Then I began to scream.
The magic had to go through me to get out and Alaric wasn't there to ease the passage this time. Faerie evidently had no idea what was happening because she didn't offer to help either. The elemental magic clawed its way through my body like a tiger tearing its way through a cardboard box. The Trinity Star burst into blinding light as I fell on my face, moaning into the grass that didn't attack me despite my rough treatment of it. Instead, it caressed my cheeks tenderly as if welcoming me home.
“Thanks,” I panted as the pain lessened—speaking to both my star and the soft grass.
“Vervain!” Odin shouted as he eased me onto my back.
“No!” I pushed him away. “Get back! Everyone get back!”
Odin was pulled away by Arach and Morpheus as a group of Air-Sidhe guards landed on the Road of Neutrality and gaped at us. Starlight burst from my skin, but instead of pushing the fey magic out of me, it shoved it back into the emerald. The emerald, strained beyond its limits, exploded into thousands of pieces that instantly melted into tiny droplets. The magic shimmered and then soaked into the air, home at last.
The heavy gold chain that had held my pendant slithered down the sides of my neck and landed in my hair. I panted roughly as I stared up at a sky that I thought I'd never see again. Part of me rejoiced to be back but the smarter part of me whimpered in horror. My emerald was gone and with it, my ability to take magic from gods without giving up any that I held and, more importantly, any chance I had of taking the fey magic out of the Human Realm.
In short, I had blown it. Big time. Blown it into tiny, emerald droplets.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Are you going to lie there all day feeling sorry for yourself or are you going to get up and get your ass over to the Castle of Eight? Faerie asked in a snarky voice.
“Thanks for the warm welcome,” I huffed as Odin and Arach helped me up.
“Excuse me?” Odin asked.
“She's speaking to Faerie,” Arach explained.
“Ah, yes. Our wife and the voices in her head,” Odin murmured. His gaze went to the length of gold chain that had slid through my hair and fallen in the grass. He picked it up and slipped it into a pocket without a word.
“I'm so sorry,” I whispered to him.
“It was your pendant, Vervain,” Odin reminded me. “You suffered the greatest loss.”
“We all just suffered a loss. I didn't consider that the magic would be too much for it and now, we won't be able to drain the other MZs.”
“I didn't consider it either.” Odin grimaced as if that were the greater disappointment. “Nor had I expected that if it were too much, it would have this result.”
Um, did you hear what I said? Faerie interrupted. You need to get over to the castle.
“We don't have time to go to the castle,” I huffed at her and then looked around at the men. We were missing one. “Where's Azrael?”
“He went to take care of the fox, remember?” Morpheus asked.
“And he didn't return?”
“We followed you directly,” Arach said as if it were obvious. “Azrael can take care of himself.”
“I'll fetch him. Meet us at home,” Odin said.
No! You need to speak to Cian! Faerie shouted.
Both Arach and I winced.
“I believe we're wanted at High Court,” Arach said dryly.
“I'll get Azrael,” Morpheus offered. “You go with them, Odin.”
“Thank you.” Odin laid an appreciative hand on Morph's shoulder. “Tell Az and the others that we'll back as soon as possible.”
“Will do.” Morpheus went to the Great Tree and vanished.
“Back to it, soldiers,” I said to the Air-Sidhe who were still gaping at us, then I launched myself into the air.
What looked to be two