An Immortal Descent

“Good luck with that,” I said.

 

Justine rolled her eyes. “They’ve reason for concern, Selah, even if you’re too stubborn to admit it. How many times have you been attacked since arriving in London? And don’t try to deny it, because Cate told me everything.” She laughed darkly. “Not only have the hounds come after you in force, you’ve managed to be attacked by your own kind. That is a rare feat, if I do say so myself.”

 

“I’ll not be blamed for Julian’s actions.”

 

James’s grip tightened on my elbow. “That does it!”

 

I waved him off again. “Not now—”

 

He threw his arms in the air, releasing me with a jerk. “I will not remain silent. Not for another second until someone tells me what the devil is going on here.”

 

Julian said nothing, just blinked for lack of words. Justine looked amused, but offered nothing more.

 

Great. So it was left to me yet again.

 

I heaved a sigh. “Very well. What will you know?”

 

James pointed at Julian. “Did he really control the branches and roots?”

 

“Yes, he did. Lord Stroud is goddess born, and has the gift of agriculture.”

 

An angry breath exploded from Julian. “How dare you tell my secret to a human!”

 

“Oh, get over it,” I huffed. “You already gave him a pretty big hint when you attacked him with a tree.”

 

Julian scoffed. “Nothing that couldn’t have been explained away.”

 

“What would you have me say instead? That you’re a nasty wood fairy?”

 

That earned a blistering look. “Mr. Roth would hardly believe something so ridiculous.”

 

“Fine. If you don’t like my explanation, then come up with your own next time.”

 

Justine laughed. “Behave, children. There’s no need to make a spectacle.”

 

James turned his attention to her. “And what about you, Miss Rose? I’ve seen you perform dozens of times, and have never heard a voice like the one you used on Lord Stroud.”

 

She winked at him. “I save it for special occasions.”

 

“Like whenever she needs a little mind control,” I muttered darkly.

 

“Is that what you did?” James asked. “I felt something the moment you first spoke, as though my will had become yours. Did you learn that in the theater?”

 

“Yes—” she started.

 

“It’s from her gift of poetry,” I interrupted. If the truth was out, it might as well be out for everyone.

 

Justine glared her disapproval.

 

“Her what?” James asked.

 

“She’s also goddess born, and has the gift of poetry.” I smirked at her obvious annoyance. “It’s most likely why she’s such a good actress.”

 

James stared at me for a moment. Then his gaze slowly circled to the others. “From their involvement, may I also assume that Lady Dinley and Master Faber are goddess born?”

 

Justine dropped her eyes to the ground, where she seemed to have found something of great interest. From Julian’s lack of surprise at the suggestion, I assumed my aunt had shared the connection while revealing her own identity. He also remained silent, with lips pressed firmly together.

 

Realizing he would get nothing from the two of them, James turned to me for answers. Oh, well. In for a penny, in for a pound. Rather than responding outright, I simply nodded once.

 

“Good heavens!” James said. “Is everyone in London descended from Brigid?”

 

Justine smiled at him. “Well, no,” she said. “You aren’t. And from what I can tell, neither is Nora, though there is that pirate grandfather of hers. Tuatha Dé blood has been known to drive people to seek a more adventurous life.”

 

While she spoke, Julian seemed to sway on his feet. I looked at him more closely and noticed he had turned white as a sheet.

 

“What’s wrong with him?” I asked, refusing to address the man directly lest he confuse curiosity for real concern.

 

Justine followed my gaze. “He’s weak from expending so much power at one time. Never a wise move unless absolutely necessary, and from what I can feel, the entire ground is saturated with it. He’ll need to visit the Otherworld soon if he’s to recover.” She placed a hand on Julian’s arm. “Can you make it to Bristol, my lord?”

 

“Yes, yes, of course.”

 

“The closest altar is in London,” I countered.

 

“By good fortune, I have another option.”

 

Damnation! Indecision warred inside me. Julian could prove an important asset, but the man was unpredictable, and I didn’t fancy being tied to any more trees.

 

James cleared his throat. “Pardon me, ladies. Once Lord Stroud is...recovered, will he be able to command any plants or trees? Is that part of his gift?”

 

“Yes,” we replied in unison.

 

“Then he comes with us.” James took a step toward Julian and extended a hand. The moment Julian accepted, James pulled him closer until their heads almost touched. “You won’t take me by surprise again. Attack Miss Kilbrid, and I will kill you myself. Do you understand?”

 

Kari Edgren's books