Page 157 of Broken Veil
Carys followed her hands and saw the crows and starlings massing over Cley Hill, but even the birds were having trouble flying through the rain that was growing ever harder, soaking the hillside and turning the fine clay soil into mud.
Nêrys, I am not shifting, though with Naida and Laura’s magic around me, the urge to do so is very strong.
Wait!Cadell, you can do this. The crowds are still worshipping her up here. We need to drain her power.
“You!” Macha pointed to Carys. “Get them and bring the horse goddess’s daughters to me!”
“Daughters?” Lachlan looked up and their eyes met.
My love.
“Not now!” Carys was worried the crowd would riot. “Put me down! Quick.”
Duncan and Lachlan slowly lowered Carys to the ground as muddy revelers turned on them, reaching for Carys.
“I don’t think so,” Duncan growled. “Back off, boy.”
The two Scotsmen stood on either side with Carys between them, blocking the people from reaching her.
Carys saw Lachlan reach for the short sword hidden in his coat.
“No!” she shouted. “You have to let them take me!”
“What?” both men shouted.
“Fuck no!” Duncan said.
“I will defend you unto death itself!” Lachlan’s eyes were flashing.
“That’s what she wants!” Carys yelled over the thunder that was rolling across Salisbury Plain. “She wants violence, remember?”
Nêrys…
Cadell’s voice was low and bestial.
Not yet, old friend!
Carys tugged on Duncan’s arm, forcing him to listen as a muddy hand grabbed her wrist. “Shewantsviolence,” she said. “You can’t give it to her. It will only make her stronger.”
“I can’t.” Duncan’s eyes went wide as two young men covered in mud walked over to Carys and grabbed her by the shoulders. “Don’t ask me to let you go!”
The gold chain in her skin burned, and when she turned to look at Macha’s servants, she saw the red flush of anger covering their skin.
“It’s okay.” She kept her voice calm. “I’ll go to Macha. I’ll go.”
Duncan roared and raised his fist. “Absolutely fucking not!”
“No.” She turned to him and put a hand on his arm. “Let me go.”
His eyes were wide and crazed with fear. “Carys?—”
“I have to go,” she said. “This is what I’m supposed to do, remember?”
He shook his head. “No.”
“Please.” She felt them start to drag her away, and she sent one last look to Lachlan before she went with Macha’s servants. “Don’t fight them, f’anwylyd. That’s what she wants. Put the sword away, my darling. Let me go.”
Lachlan’s eyes went wide, and he froze. “Seren?”
