"My sister. If she's not here, and they haven't turned her, then they ate her. Just like that . . . in a flurry of blood and bone."

Rhia pressed against him, taking his hand. "We don't know that," she said softly.

"Yeah, we do. Because if they didn't force her to turn, then that's what happened. I know my sister. She wouldn't voluntarily help them." He rubbed his hand over his eyes, looking sick. "I want them dead."

"We seem to be accomplishing that," I said, wiping my blade on my pants. My mind and hands were forever stained with blood so why not my jeans. "I guess this is what it means to be a warrior."

"That's about the size of it. You do what you have to do, Cicely. And what we have to do now is find Peyton. Chances are we'll be fighting more of them-and we have to take them down before they give a warning." Chatter looked stronger than I'd seen him since the old days. He was standing tall.

"What do you think will happen to Grieve?" I whispered.

He shook his head. "I don't know, but we don't have time to speculate right now. Let's move on."

We crept down the hall to the next chamber, which was empty. Then the third, before the bend in the tunnel. I peeked around the corner, cautiously. There, behind a set of iron bars, was Peyton. She was naked, huddled beneath a ragged blanket, but I could see her eyes. They were normal-she hadn't been turned. She glanced up and saw me, and bolted to a sitting position. I pressed my finger to my lips and she nodded.

"Can anybody pick locks?"

Kaylin pushed to the front. "Let me."

While he worked, Peyton searched her cell, finally setting for tying the threadbare blanket around her, toga style. I realized she didn't have any clothes and that would prove a problem for her on our way back home through the storm.

A moment later, Kaylin sprang the lock and the door opened with a faint squeak. Peyton hurried forward and fell into my arms. I held her close for a moment, whispering to her.

"Are you able to travel?" I didn't bother asking how she was. I figured that was opening a can of worms that was better left for when we were safe.

She nodded. "But they took my clothes and shoes. I have nothing to wear except this blanket." Her arms looked bruised and when I looked closer, so did the side of her face, though she wasn't sporting a black eye.

I turned back to the others. "How are we going to get her home? She can't spend two hours out in the cold wearing a blanket. And nothing the guards were wearing will fit her-she's far taller than most of the Indigo Court Fae."

"I have an idea," Leo said. "Peyton, can you turn into a cougar?"

"I thought she was a werepuma," I said.

"Same thing-cougar, mountain lion, puma . . . they're all different names for the same cat. I know, I've studied that side of my family history," Peyton said. "And yes, I can but not in here. There's some magical barrier that's preventing me from shifting in the cell."

I glanced down the tunnel. What if Elise was here? What if others were here? "Should we . . ."

Leo touched my arm. "Not now. We came to save Peyton, Chatter, and Grieve. We can't take Grieve with us, but we have Peyton and Chatter. If my sister's here," he whispered, "she's on their side. And if not, she's dead. Let's cut our losses and go."

He's right. You need to leave. The afternoon is wearing away and you must be home before dark because the Indigo Fae will be back to full strength then, and worse. They are changing. Whatever Lannan and Lainule infected them with, it backfired more than you think.

I nodded, Ulean's urgency spurring me on. Motioning to the others, we headed back the way we'd come. We managed to make it out of the cave, back into the waning afternoon. The snow was still falling and so thick that it was hard to see more than ten yards ahead. The minute we left the cave, Peyton began to shiver. She stepped to the side.

"Peyton, listen to me. If we find ourselves in a fight, take off. Head for the house. Anadey's working on a stronger warding for us and she might have it ready by now. For the moment, we should be safe over the boundaries, but I don't know how long that will last." I had a nasty feeling we weren't out of the frying pan yet. And who knew what lay waiting in the fire.

"I understand. Thank you, all of you . . ." she said, drawing her hand in front of her eyes. Tears sparkled behind her snow-kissed lashes, and then without another word, she shifted quickly, and a gorgeous tawny cougar stood there.

I motioned to the side of the hill, and then stopped, looking around. The bodies of the guards we'd taken down were missing.

"h.e.l.l, someone's been here. Get a move on."

"We could take you back. I can take one of you through the shadows and Chatter can run-" Kaylin started, but I shook my head.

"There are three of us, one would be left behind and I won't do that. Hurry up." I struggled through the fresh snow over to the slope and began to make my way up. The others followed suit, Ulean a.s.sisting us by gusting at our backs to give us a shove.

We managed to make it to the top and head back through the path, led by Chatter. He stopped, though, a few minutes later. "They might be waiting along the path, and they won't take chances. They'll send more than we can handle. I know another way, but it's dangerous."

Mutely, I glanced at Leo and Rhiannon. They nodded. So did Kaylin. Peyton let out a soft huff. Turning back to Chatter, I let out a long sigh. "Let's go. Lead on."

He silently turned to the right and plunged us through the undergrowth. We were fighting snow a good eighteen inches deep by now, and undergrowth so thick that we had to push our way through. I thought about our footsteps, but with the rate at which the snow was falling and the coming dusk, they'd be covered soon. Especially if we walked in single file.

The afternoon wore on, and by my watch, we had a little over an hour till the sun officially set. The only good thing about sunset was that the vampires would be up and maybe, just maybe, we could hope for some help from them. But then again, they had no clue as to what we were doing. There was no cavalry to rescue us, no G.o.ds in the machine.

We silently plunged forward, Peyton huffing gently. She was probably warmer than the rest of us. In her Were form, she'd be used to the cold and snow. Chatter stopped every so often to give us a chance to catch up and make certain we were still altogether. I was beginning to wonder what the danger part was when we came to the edge of the ravine. But there was no easy descent here-the edge was sheer, and boulders covered the slope and bottom of the great ditch.

An alluvial deposit-common in Washington State, from when the great glaciers had moved across the land. In their retreat, they'd left vast swathes of rocks and boulders-a blanket of stone to cover parts of the land. An avalanche here meant a rockslide, a danger itself.

The snow atop the stones only increased the danger of turning an ankle, twisting wrong, getting a foot caught in between rocks. I stared down at the wash of stone, my stomach plunging. It would take us a good two hours to make it to the bottom, and the climb on the other side, once we crossed the frozen stream, would be exhausting.

Chatter stopped, kneeling to examine the snow at the edge. "This won't be easy going. But . . . I can take you down, one by one. I can get you to the bottom, but I'm afraid I won't have the reserves to help you up to the other side."

"But can you do so without hurting yourself? That's one h.e.l.l of a steep climb." I stared down the slope, uneasy. If we were caught down there, we'd be trapped.

"I don't know, to be honest. But I'm willing to try." He looked up at me, his eyes soft and luminous. "Cicely, Grieve would want me to do everything I could to help you. Please, let me help you."

I nodded, then. But before we could move, Peyton brushed against my hand and let out a soft huff. She padded to the edge and easily slipped over the side. For her, the going was far easier. One less person for Chatter to have to carry. Another thought struck me.

"I can fly down, if you take my clothes so I can change again, after."

"Are you sure?" Rhiannon gave me a long look. "You've only flown the one time."

"I flew all night." And then I heard it-the soft screech from the tree overhead. I glanced up. The great horned owl. He swept down and circled me. "I'm taking that as a sign."

Immediately, I began to strip as fast as I could. I handed my clothes to Chatter. "Take Leo and my clothes down first, then Rhia, then Kaylin. I'll meet you at the bottom."

As soon as I was naked, with the others staring at me like I'd lost my mind, I swung up into the branches of the nearest tree. I kept the fan Lainule had given me, the handle looped around my wrist. I climbed higher, trying not to slip on the snow, my body shivering with each branch. The owl landed on a branch nearby and I clambered over to crouch beside it. My pendant hung around my neck, softly glowing, and the owls on my arms began to tingle. I stared at the owl. It swept out of the tree, and I sucked in a deep breath and dove with it.

The ground hurtled up, but my body shifted faster. I had no clear thought on how it did so, but within seconds, I pulled up, gliding with the great horned owl. We spiraled around one another, and I sensed an odd familiarity. The last time, I'd been so focused on actually flying that I hadn't fully noticed, but now I sensed a kinship with the owl. Was it one of the Uwilahsidhe?

Come, fly to the other side.

But my clothes-I can't wait that long for Chatter to bring them up and we don't dare chance him wearing himself out.

Then to the bottom of the gorge. Fly and land softly on the trunk near the cataract.

I gazed down, saw the trunk he was talking about. The tree had fallen along a series of small falls that were frozen over, on the other side of the stream. I swept down, spiraling, reveling in the feel of my wings on the wind. The horned owl hooted softly as we landed at the bottom. It waited beside me as I waited for Chatter. Within a moment, a blur raced down the hill and stopped on the sh.o.r.e beside me. He appeared, holding Leo around the waist. I turned back to my companion.

Thank you. Will you watch us on our way through the wood? Can I contact you when I'm in human form?

No, you cannot read my thoughts then-we are connected, but only when in owl form. But I will come with you, I will watch over you the best I can. Now change back and get dressed.

I shifted back, dressing quickly in the freezing air as the snow swirled around us. Chatter headed back up the slope, a blur in the deepening shadows, as Peyton gingerly made her way across the stream. Within a few minutes, we were all at the base of the ravine that would lead us to the Golden Wood and home again. As I stared up the slope, a noise behind us startled me.

Turning, I could see a group of the Vampiric Fae. They were making their way down the alluvial deposit. They were coming for us and both Heather and Myst were with them.

Chapter 26.

"h.e.l.l! Move. They're on the way."

We scrambled for the slope of the ravine. Peyton didn't have much problem in her four-footed form, and Chatter was quick, but the rest of us weren't so nimble. I grabbed branch and limb, ignoring the brambles that pierced through my gloves, ignoring the needle-laden boughs that slapped me in the face as I half-crawled, half-climbed my way up the slope. The ravine was steep, but luckily had plenty of rocks and trees to gain leverage on. My breath coming in white puffs, I charged upward, trying not to focus on how close they were.

They are almost down the slope on the other side. Hurry.

s.h.i.t, they'd traversed the swath of rocks and boulders like they were skipping stones. I pushed ahead. And then, Chatter was at my side, and we were racing in a blur up the mountain. I blinked and found myself standing on the top of the ravine.

"Chatter-you're too tired-"

"Let me do this." He vanished again, a blur down the slope. I took a moment and glanced around. n.o.body over here on this side, thank G.o.ds. Although I'd really love it if some hero came charging in to save us, but that wasn't going to happen. I pulled out my fan, gearing up for what I knew was coming. At that moment, Chatter appeared again, Rhiannon in tow. Peyton crept over the top, still in puma form. She slunk over to my side.

Kaylin was helping Leo, trying to drag him along faster. Chatter took a deep breath and-looking exhausted-headed down again.

"No-you can't bring them both." I stared in horror at Myst and her crew. They'd reached the bottom and were lithely crossing the frozen stream. This was going wrong. So wrong. Myst wasn't supposed to come with them. I knew in my heart we couldn't stand against her.

I turned to Rhiannon. "Go-get moving back to the house."

"No. I'm staying here with you." She pulled out her bag with the Molotov c.o.c.ktails in it. "We go down together or not at all."

I took a deep breath. "Let's make a pact then. If they catch us, if they try to turn us, we do whatever it takes to avoid that fate. I'd rather be torn to pieces than work for them."

She nodded. "I know Heather did it to spare Peyton, but I wish she hadn't." She spoke softly, but I could hear the catch in her voice.

Chatter appeared at the top, Leo in his arms, as Kaylin dragged himself over the edge. We were all exhausted, and Chatter looked like he was going to pa.s.s out.

"How far are we from the house?" I tried to gauge where we were.

"Ten minutes as the crow flies. Fifteen on foot." He pointed toward a copse of cedar and fir. "There's the path that leads into the ravine, through that stand of trees over there.

I could vaguely see it in the approaching dusk. Nodding, I said, "Let's do what we can to make it hard on them and then run like h.e.l.l. If we can get over the border to our land, then we should be safe for the night. That is, until Myst finds a way to break the barrier."

I opened the fan and focused on it. Ulean, what's the worst damage I can do with this? Ulean, what's the worst damage I can do with this?

You do not want to know. Each time you use the more powerful energies, the fan will own you a little more.

Tough. We need it. I'd rather be possessed by a fan than by Myst. Now, tell me. I focused on her energy, trying to drive home the urgency. I focused on her energy, trying to drive home the urgency.

You have a point. Very well. Vortex force. But be prepared to run. It will not be safe and you cannot control the power once you've set it loose.

Taking a deep breath, I said, "I'm going to unleash a tornado. Whatever you have, start it now and move back. This thing is dangerous."

Without a word, Rhiannon lit the bottles with a lighter and tossed them into the ravine. She held out her hands and a stream of flame came searing out to explode the gas-laden bombs, sending a flash flood of fire down the slope. She jumped away, as did the others as I swept the fan twice and whispered, "Vortex force." "Vortex force."

Ulean slipped up beside me and I felt her joining in, helping warm the air around us so that it collided with the cold. I kept my focus on the currents as they began to whip into a counterclockwise spiral, creaking and moaning as they picked up speed. Another few seconds and there was a roar as the monster came to life.

With the sound of a freight train rattling by, gusts of dark clouds began to spin. The funnel cloud engulfed Rhiannon's fire and swept down the slope, a blanket of swirling flame on a deafening ride. My ears popped from the changing air pressure.

"Run. Now!" I turned and headed through the trees at breakneck speed, following the others who'd already taken off. Ulean howled along beside me, buoying me up and along. I leapt over a fallen tree trunk and hit the path, veering toward the house. We ran like the hounds of h.e.l.l were after us, not looking back, not knowing whether Myst and her followers were on our heels or if we'd staved them off.

And then, breaking through the tree line, we were across the border, onto our land, and a soft glow lit up the perimeter of the yard. Anadey stood on the porch, watching anxiously as we skidded to a halt. We were home and Peyton was with us.

I turned, gasping for breath, in time to see Myst and Heather come to the edge of our property, followed by a half dozen guards. My heart in my throat, I watched as they traced the border, but did not set foot across it. Whatever Anadey had done, it was holding.

Straightening my shoulders, I faced them-the Mistress of Mayhem and her Court. She gazed at me, steady, her luminous eyes sparkling like stars, her skin the color of sky on a clear, late evening before twilight fully hits. Her gown flowed into the shadows, diaphanous shades of blue and black and gray and silver. Beautiful, Beautiful, I thought. She was so incredibly beautiful and terrifying. I thought. She was so incredibly beautiful and terrifying.

Myst c.o.c.ked her head to the left, then the right, and let out a slow laugh.

"Cicely Waters. You think you have won?"

I shook my head. "If we'd won, you'd be dead."

"Good, then. Don't underestimate me. Child, do you even have a clue as to who you are? As to who you were were?"

The great horned owl circled overhead, coming to rest in the oak behind me. I cleared my throat and returned Myst's gaze, willing myself not to flinch.

"I am Cicely Waters, born of the magic, born of the Uwilahsidhe. I know who I am. And I know what you are." It was foolish to challenge her, but I wanted her to understand that I understood she was a vicious monster. A crazed Queen out for blood. "I walk with the Crimson Court at my back."

She inclined her head gently and, turning to Heather, lightly traced her hand down my aunt's cheek, softly caressing her. Then, without a second thought, she back-handed Heather so hard that my aunt went sprawling to the ground. Heather lay there, staring up without a protest. I heard Rhiannon stifle a cry, but I didn't turn, didn't show any emotion.

"A thought," Myst said, turning back to me, her gaze narrowing in on me. "If I treat my friends thus, consider how I treat my enemies. Then decide which side you wish to be on. Your precious Grieve is mine mine."

"No!" I jerked, unable to stop myself. "What do you mean?"

"I claim him for my own. He will be my consort. He will be my consort. And you, my dear . . . Don't you remember who you used to be? Think, think very hard." Her eyes begin to swirl and I felt myself falling deep into her spell. And you, my dear . . . Don't you remember who you used to be? Think, think very hard." Her eyes begin to swirl and I felt myself falling deep into her spell.

A glimpse . . . standing deep in the forest, and Grieve was beside me only he was not Grieve but Shy. And I was there . . . I was Cherish . . . and this time I looked down at my hands. They bore a faint cerulean cast. With wonder I reached up and touched my teeth. Razor-sharp and two small fangs. And I turned to Shy, who smiled at me, loving me, and I knew that I was a traitor to myself, to my race, to my mother.

"No," I whispered. "I wasn't one of you! I was Cambyra Fae!"

Myst laughed. Deep and rich, her voice echoed through the night. "You are are Cambyra Fae Cambyra Fae now now . . . but oh yes, I can see you remember. Good-bye for now, . . . but oh yes, I can see you remember. Good-bye for now, child child. We will meet again. Soon. And you will remember how you turned on your family. Grieve isn't the only only one who's been searching for you through the years. Remember this: I never forget a grudge." And then, she turned and like a shadow in the night, she and her companions were gone. one who's been searching for you through the years. Remember this: I never forget a grudge." And then, she turned and like a shadow in the night, she and her companions were gone.

I turned back to the others, who stared at me, silent and waiting. With a sickening feeling that things had just gotten a whole lot worse, I nodded to the house. "We're safe for now. We need rest."