Blood Faerie (26 page)

“He must have taken my phone after he hit me in the head with that damned plank.”

“What’d he do that for?” Getty looked baffled.

“Cridhe, that was the blood faerie’s…the killer’s name, had just cast a spell that lit a fire in my throat. Literally. I guess it was the only thing Frankie could think of—knocking me out. It did the trick though, because Cridhe stopped after that.”

“The blood…” Getty couldn’t finish.

“Faerie. I know. Didn’t Eilidh explain everything?”

Getty nodded at her. “She tried.”

“They did not seem to believe me.” Eilidh frowned.

Munro grinned. “I can understand that. I hardly believe it myself.”

“I should call Hallward,” Getty said. “He wanted to know as soon as you woke up. The official report says it was some kind of nutter cult that did the killings. The media is all in a frenzy, of course, but at least it has them looking in the wrong direction. I’ve seen all kinds of so-called experts on cults and Satanism on the BBC ever since the media officer released a statement.”

“I suppose Hallward will be bitching that I’m not at work,” Munro said with a laugh. “He never has approved of sick leave, and I think I’ve taken more in the last month than I have my entire time on the job.”

“I wouldn’t worry too much,” Getty said. “I think having your heart almost ripped out by a
cult
is enough to warrant some time off. Hell, you could probably retire on medical disability if you wanted to.”

“I’m not sure what I want to do. Part of that will depend on Eilidh.”

Getty stood. “I’d best leave you two to discuss it then.” He said goodbye and promised to visit Munro again soon.

Eilidh looked toward the door. “I do not think he believes us still.”

Munro chuckled. “I think he’s trying. I’m not in a straightjacket, so that’s a start.” He smiled at Eilidh. Because of the bond, he could sense her emotions. She was relieved and even relaxed, but he also detected apprehension. “What else is bothering you?”

“I have a difficult journey to make. After Cridhe’s death, I received word from the conclave. They observed what happened in the woods. They said because I fought against the blood faerie and defended Saor and his companions, they would welcome me again into the Halls of Mist.”

Munro expected such news would make her happy, but Eilidh seemed distinctly sad. He waited for her to continue.

“Saor would have been so pleased. It was all he would have wanted. I could have returned, and we could have been together.”

The thought of Eilidh with Saor sent a stab of pain through Munro, but then he realised what she’d said. “Saor didn’t make it?”

“None of them survived. Only you and I remain. If it had not been for our bond, we would not have lived.”

“Then we have a lot to be grateful for. So you loved him?”

“Once, yes. Things changed, and I think he even had grown to hate me. It breaks my heart that the last words we spoke were angry ones. Still, I should attend his death rite, now that I’m permitted to. I hope I can convince the conclave to change their minds about the azuri fae. Since they see that my astral magic and our bond saved them from many losses, if not a total collapse of the kingdom, perhaps they will realise how unjust they have been. It would be nice to be able to tell Beniss’ family they could rejoin the kingdom.” She looked down. “I will have to spend some time considering the proper words to tell them of her bravery in death.”

“I’d like to come with you to Saor’s funeral.” Munro didn’t know if it would be appropriate, but he felt he should offer.

Eilidh smiled. “Thank you. I have to do this alone.”

Munro wanted to say he understood, but he stayed silent. At least with the bond, he knew Eilidh sensed what he felt.

“I do hope you will come to the Isle of Skye with me. I may be there for some time. I have a lot to learn. Once I have learned more about the Path of the Azure, it will be time for us to work together to refine my understanding of the Ways of Earth. If, that is, you do not regret what we have done.”

“We did the only thing we could do. But no, I do not regret it. Eilidh, I love you.”

He could feel the uncertainty in her thoughts, but they melted away as she smiled. “My people are not as hasty as yours. For us, love is not a word we often use. My father said once that we are shallow and vain people.” She touched his hand. “I feel for you something I have never felt before, Quinton. We have a lifetime to discover what words to use.” She leaned over and softly touched his lips with hers.

After a moment of silence she said, “I’ll return after Saor’s death ritual, and we can travel to the Isle of Skye together.”

Munro nodded and grinned. “I’m afraid we’ll have to drive. I can’t run as long or as fast as you can.”

Eilidh groaned and leaned over, resting her forehead on Munro’s shoulder. “We’re going to have to work on that. You may grow stronger and faster over time.”

He kissed her hair. “A lot of changes are coming our way.” Part of him felt a loss, not just for the death of his cousin, Saor, Beniss, and the others, but for the old life he feared he couldn’t go back to. Yet even though he had been satisfied with his life, he had been alone. Now he would never be alone again.

Eilidh didn’t answer, but she didn’t have to. Beyond her tiredness, her grief, and concerns for the future, he also felt the underlying contentment in her heart. Amidst the pain, they’d found each other, and that was something worth holding on to.

From the moment I first set foot in Scotland ten years ago, I knew I had come home. It’s a magical place, in every sense of the phrase. If faeries exist, and I’m certain they do, this is where they would have their kingdom.

Thank you so much for reading Blood Faerie. I hope you have enjoyed it. Look for more stories with Eilidh and Munro and follow as they learn more about their bond, the Path of the Azure, and where it takes them. Book Two in this series, Azuri Fae, is available now, and an excerpt included on the next few pages. The third book, Enemy of the Fae, will be available in 2012.

If you like a little sizzle and spice with your magic, look for my paranormal romance novel Ordinary Angels—available now!

—India Drummond

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http://www.indiadrummond.com

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