“Yes, but it’s helping me focus. I’ve not been this clearheaded in centuries.”
“You’re sober,” Nick chided softly.
Ferghus managed a weak grin. “The drink only lessened the pain, quieted the voices.”
“I wish I could help you.”
Ferghus tried to shrug.
Nick looked at the wall rather than the elemental. “I need to ask you something.”
Ferghus didn’t react; he simply waited.
Nick said, “Tell me about Gaios.”
“He’s sorry he killed you, Byron. He says it all the time.”
“That’s a comfort.”
“He wants to hurt Ash.”
“He’s going to destroy Britain, isn’t he?”
“Yes, he is. Because Ash loves it.” Ferghus choked on a strangled laugh. “She’s not even English. She’s German. She only loves England because you love it. But he’s going to take it all.”
Nick’s posture changed to reveal more of himself. He lost the imperious Pendragon carriage, and slipped into his usual casual stance. “You think he can manage it?”
Ferghus breathed quietly for a moment and tried to lick his lips. Nick wiped them again with the wet cloth. The Irishman tried to swallow. His voice was still a hoarse whisper. “He’s using the Stone of Scone. It’s bound to Britain.”
“I know, but even the Stone can’t drop Britain into the sea.”
Ferghus winced. “He’s Gaios. Once he puts his gnarled old hands on the Stone, he’s going to saturate it. He can open the way to the aether and seize all he wishes.”
“How?”
“Lightning.” Ferghus looked annoyed. “Lightning slits the barrier between our world and the aether. All elementals can do it, but lightning is stronger. I could’ve done it with fire, but he found a spark that would rip it wide open.”
“A spark? A true lightning elemental?”
“Aye. Some mousy girl. Hardly has any sense. Dumb as a post. Always reading the Bible. Gaios says she’ll be more powerful once he’s trained her.” The Irishman shook his head once and let out a long breath. He let his cheek press into his pillow. “I don’t care.”
Nick leaned close to the elemental’s face. He heard only faint breath. “Ferghus. Stay here.”
“Thank you for coming, Byron.” The Irishman squeezed Nick’s hand but it was feeble like an old man. “I’m dying, ain’t I?”
“Afraid so.”
The Irishman shook his head slowly. “No less than I deserve. I’m sorry.”
“Sorry for what?”
“Everything. I didn’t want to hurt anyone. I tried. I know you had to put me away. An addle-minded man like me should’ve never been given so much power.”
“Don’t fret that.”
“I didn’t want to hurt anyone. Do you understand? I’m sorry.” Ferghus could barely be heard now. “I’m sorry.”
The lordly Pendragon vanished and Nick Barker slumped in his shabby coat, holding the dying man’s hand. “I know, Ferghus. We’re all sorry, but there’s nothing we can do.”
“Nick Barker?” The light in the Irishman’s eyes was nearly faded.
“How are you, lad?”
Ferghus gave an exhausted smile. “Where’s Byron?”
“He stepped away.”
“It’s cold.” Ferghus looked up at Nick with grimacing effort. “Are you cold?”
“Freezing.”
“I don’t want to die cold. I need to be warm. Just one last time. Help a mate out.”
“Right you are.” Nick used the wet towel to gently wipe Ferghus’s palm clean of the gel. A gentle flame rose from the center of Nick’s hand.
Ferghus smiled and his weak fingers fumbled for the tiny flicker of fire. He drew it into the palm of his hand and sighed. Nick rose to his feet and backed away. Ferghus placed the ember in his mouth. Simon yelled from the door. He started toward the bed, but Nick held him back, shaking his head. Ferghus erupted into flame, his body lost in the blaze. This was no controlled elemental fire; it was a white-hot consuming rush of light and heat. Simon fell back, throwing his arms before his face.
After a moment, Nick stepped up to the flames and took hold of Ferghus’s charred hand. He drew the fire up onto his own arm and extinguished it. He stood, still holding the blackened smoking hand of Ferghus.
Kate jabbed a finger at him, livid. “What did you do? You murdered him!”
Nick ignored her, staring at the smoldering body.
“God damn it, Barker!” Malcolm towered over Nick. “We needed more than that! He could’ve told us where Gaios is.”
“His choice,” Nick muttered. The man dropped to his knees beside the bed, hanging his head in exhaustion. “He wanted to go. I only helped him.”
“Easy, Malcolm.” Simon stepped between Nick and the Scotsman as if protecting his old friend from the group’s accusations. “I’ve got an idea what Gaios is about. I’m not sure what he meant about the lightning elemental, but even so, we can move forward.”
“I know what he meant.” Malcolm leaned against the wall. He looked stricken, as if he had just gotten unexpected tragic news. “I have something I need to tell you about a woman I met in London last year.”
Chapter 15