Fires of War (War and Deceit #4) - Erin O'Kane Page 0,136

and whatever she needs to tell me, she doesn’t want to say between a wall of elves. Vaeril and Eldrin share a look, but they know they can’t stop me. I’d get past them one way or another, so eventually, they sigh and step aside, letting me pass. All four of my mates spread out, leaving the nixie and I space to chat, but we both know our discussion is not private. I also know they could get to me in a second if I needed them, this is just an illusion of privacy, but it’s enough for the nixie.

Approaching slowly, I perch on a large rock near the riverbank, not wanting to get any closer. From here, I can view glimpses of her golden tail flashing below the water, and up close, I see what I thought were elvish ears are actually longer and have two pointed tips, looking more like fins.

“You’re searching for a way into the elf city, but it is patrolled with their forsaken.” When she says the word ‘forsaken,’ she hisses, her face transforming and shattering the innocent illusion as rows of sharp, needle-like teeth glimmer in the sunlight.

Instantly on alert, I lean forward. This suddenly feels much more urgent and important than I anticipated. I can feel the sharp attention of the others on us too. “You know a way in?” Trying to keep my voice even, I wait anxiously for her response.

She shrugs her delicate shoulders, brushing her hair with her fingers. “By fulfilling a bargain, you will have a way to even the odds.” Her cryptic words make me freeze, and realisation of what I need to do floods my body with cold dread.

“She wastes our time and speaks in riddles,” Eldrin growls from somewhere behind me, misinterpreting my distress for not understanding her words, when it’s really the opposite.

Offended by Eldrin’s insult, the nixie twists her body around and uses her arms to raise herself up the bank to hiss at the elf. She’s terrifying, but thankfully, she drops back into the water, disappearing completely for a moment until only her head resurfaces, glaring at Eldrin.

Turning to my mates, I hold up my hand to stop any more comments. “No, I know what we need to do.” My voice is steady, despite the fact I feel like I’m being crushed by the weight of responsibility that’s suddenly been placed on me. “The others aren’t going to like it.” The guys frown, sensing my mixed emotions, but I don’t give them a chance to say anything, simply looking back at the nixie.

She’s watching me with only her eyes peeping from the water. “Thank you.” I bow my head in respect, taking her slight nod as acceptance before she sinks into the river, disappearing from sight.

I return to my mates, and we walk back to where the others are resting. I explain what I’ve learned and what I must do. Shock, anger, and fear run rampant, fuelling yet more arguments.

“You’re leaving us?” Revna says. It’s phrased like a question, but I can hear the finality and accusation in her tone. Internally, I wince, but I can’t let any of them see that here. They will take it as a sign of weakness, an indication I’m not sure of this plan, and try to talk me out of it. If this was just my aunt and me, this conversation would go very differently. However, in this case, my mates send me their strength, and I use it like armour to ground myself.

“I will join you again before the final battle.” I keep my voice steady before meeting the gaze of the other chiefs and leaders. “If this works, we will have the upper hand. It gives us the ground we will need.” I’ve explained all of this several times, going over the same points over and over.

“She’s right, it would greatly help us,” Merrin chimes in, talking for the first time and making me breathe a sigh of relief. When the high mage speaks, people tend to listen, his words swaying them.

“If,” Ragnar growls, emphasising the word with a snarl. “If it works.” Stalking towards me, he jabs his finger at my chest, eliciting snarls from my mates, but I don’t move, I simply stare him down. He’s just a bully. I’ve met plenty like him before, and I won’t rise to it. “You have no idea! How do we know you and your mates are not just abandoning us the eve before the