Not even Fae could turn down such an appetising meal. Our plans forgotten, we scarfed the tea, bread, and biscuits until we could fit no more in our bellies.
Dagon rubbed his stomach. ‘That’s better. Now, why did yeh say yeh were here?’
‘Oh, yeah,’ I said, remembering that my visit did indeed have a purpose. ‘Well, I needed to talk to you about-’
‘Oh, no!’ Fae jumped up from the couch, Willow held at an arms length. ‘I think she peed on me!’
‘Quick! Outside!’ said Dagon, running to get the door. Fae ran with Willow and Rue in her arms, depositing them on the grass outside.
A minute later, Dagon returned to his seat, looking annoyed. ‘Damn animals. Yer friend’s out there cleanin’ herself up.’
‘Sorry,’ I said. ‘They’ve had a long flight.’
‘Yeh fly on those monsters?’ said Dagon, amazed.
I shrugged. ‘How do you think I made such a quick getaway last time?’
Dagon leaned towards me. ‘Why’d yeh leave, Lass? We coulda looked after yeh.’
I shook my head. ‘I had to go. The hunter was after me.’
‘Reckon he’s no match for me.’
‘Well, it doesn’t matter now, anyway,’ I said. ‘He’s dead.’
‘Dead?’ Dagon repeated, his eyebrows raised. ‘How’d he die? Oh, those animals didn’t rip him up, did they?’
I smirked, ‘No, nothing like that.’
‘I noticed yer friend there had a bow and quiver slung over her shoulder. She wouldn’t have anything to do with it, would she?’
‘She saved my life,’ I said. ‘I owe her.’
Dagon leaned closer and whispered, ‘Yeh gotta be careful what company yeh keep, Lass. There’s no knowing who’s on yer side, or who’s usin’ yeh.’
‘I can trust Fae,’ I said. ‘We have a friend in common.’
Dagon sat back and surveyed me for a moment. ‘So, are yeh back to do as I said? Wage a war on the slavers?’
I perched myself on the edge of my seat. ‘Come with me,’ I said to Dagon. ‘With us, I mean. We can fight this together. We can save your friend.’
Dagon smiled. ‘I knew yeh’d come round. It’s a date,’ he replied.
‘Does that make me the third wheel?’ said Fae, re-entering the room.
‘Erm, it’s just an expression round here,’ said Dagon, uncomfortably. ‘Where are yeh from again? Yeh sound foreign.’
‘Germany,’ said Fae, resuming her seat next to me.
‘Ah, I’m from across the sea, too. Ireland is my homeland.’
‘Fascinating.’ Fae’s tone dripped with sarcasm. ‘Avalon, are we going to be staying long?’
‘Just a few more minutes,’ I confirmed before turning to Dagon. ‘So what do you say? Come with us, and help us fight?’
‘Wouldn’t miss it for the world, Lass.’
Chapter Twenty-Four
The Field
I watched as Dagon packed a duffle bag full of clothes and miscellaneous items.
‘Won’t you need to tell someone where you’re going? Work? Family?’
‘Nah, they’re all right. I reckon they’ve been expectin’ it fer a while now.’
‘Expecting you to go and find your human friend?’ I asked
Dagon nodded, stuffing an oversized coat into his bag. ‘I take it we’ll be sleepin’ rough.’
‘If we can’t avoid it,’ I said. I still had the gold I’d taken from Noah and Finn, so I was able to afford accommodations for the three of us. However, I wished to stay on the path less travelled for safety's sake.
‘I’ve got a tent,’ said Dagon. ‘And blankets in case yeh get cold.’
‘Me? Cold?’ I scoffed.
‘Oh yeah, right. Perhaps I can use yeh fer warmth then, eh, Lass?’
That’s what Jack used to say, I thought. He said I was his personal fire. The memory of this was surprisingly powerful, so much so that it overwhelmed me momentarily. Choking on my next breath, I turned away so Dagon couldn’t see my face.
‘Yer all right?’ he asked.
‘Fine,’ I choked. My heart was pounding as though I’d run a mile. Why had something so simple rendered me speechless?
‘I’ll, erm, pack the tent anyway,’ he said, continuing to stuff his duffle full of clothes.
I left Dagon to his packing and joined Fae in the sitting room. She noticed immediately that something had upset me.
‘What’s wrong?’ she asked, jumping up from the sofa. ‘Did he do something? Did he touch you?’ Fae made to grab her bow, but I stopped her abruptly.
‘Stop that. What do you think you’re doing? Of course he didn’t touch me.’
‘Oh.’ Fae put her bow back down and pursed her lips. ‘So why are you upset?’
‘I’m fine,’ I said. ‘I just miss Jack, is all.’
‘The boy that gave you the necklace?’ asked Fae.
I nodded, fighting the burning that consumed my throat and lungs. I didn’t want to seem weak in front of my comrades.
‘I’m ready!’ Dagon announced, marching into the sitting room.
‘Are you sure he has to come?’ Fae muttered to me. ‘I don’t trust him.’