Page 133 of Broken Veil
“I am.”
“—that I also feel that no one understands what is happening,” Naida finished.
“Thank you!” Carys turned to Naida. “But didyouknow that humans created the two realms? Like, the fae control the gates as they are now. Do you all have your own stories about their origins?”
“No, but I never thought about it much.” Naida shrugged. “And I don’t know that the three Mothers truly know either. I suspect that all this is a story. There may be other stories equally true.”
“The fae woman is correct,” Angus said. “Sure, those ladies are older than me, but multiple worlds have existed as long as humans have.”
Cadell sat up straight. “Which would imply…” He saw the glare that Carys pointed at him. “Nothing. It implies nothing.” Silently, he said,It does imply that humans had something to do with the division of the worlds.
Why can we talk here?
Cadell shrugged. “I feel very powerful.” He turned to the wolf. “Do you feel it?”
Godrik nodded. “I do. I don’t know that I could shift, but I definitely want to.”
“Maybe because the Mothers are here,” Naida said. “I also feel verywell.”
A bright full moon shone on the water of Swansea Bay, lighting a path in the smooth water that led out to the depths of the Atlantic Ocean and the vast realms of the deep.
“I need to figure out how to get to Annwn,” Carys said. “It’s a place where people are both living and dead.”
“Another contradiction,” Laura whispered.
“I do not advise it,” Cadell said. “Especially not after the news this morning.”
They all turned to the dragon.
“What news?” Laura asked.
“There is a new barrow risen on Glastonbury Tor,” Cadell said. “That makes three places of power for the Morrígan. Three seems to be an important number for her.”
“Triangles are inherently stable,” Laura said.
“The Morrígan is three-natured,” Angus said.
Carys looked at Cadell. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to do,” she admitted. “You all were there today. Do any of you have ideas?”
Dead silence in the room.
“I don’t like the idea of you going to Annwn,” Duncan said quietly. “But I also hate the idea of the Morrígan taking over the world and provoking a giant supernatural war that would absolutely thrill her.” He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “So whatever you decide to do, lass, I’m behind you.”
Carys walked over to Duncan and wrapped her arms around him. “I’m going back to the bookshop in the morning,” she said softly. “I think maybe just me.”
“No,” Laura said. “We’re all in this together, Carys.”
“She’s the daughter of two worlds,” Angus croaked from the corner. “She’s the only one who can go where she needs to go.”
Carys curled up nextto Laura on the sofa in front of the fire.
Lachlan had spread a UK road map on the table, and the others were gathered around it.
“Carys will do whatever she thinks is best,” he said, “but I think it would be prudent for us to think of plans to confront the goddess.” He glanced at Carys. “Just in case you don’t realize how you have already defeated her.”
She shrugged. “Fair.”
“Agreed,” Cadell said. “A forceful response can be a last resort, but at least it gives us options.”
