“I’ve missed ye, Bláth mo chroí.”
Flower of his heart. It had only been five hours since we were snuggled warm together, but I’d missed him, too.
I let him walk me backward until I was against a tree. I savored the feel of him, and the taste of licorice on his tongue. I wanted to stay there all day and forget about what awaited us.
We broke away with reluctance at the sound of Cassidy calling from the entrance of the woods.
“Dad’s looking for McKale!” she whispered. “It’s time to get wired up.”
“Okay, thanks,” I answered with a sinking nervousness.
“Happy birthday, Robyn.” He bent to kiss me one last time, nipping my lower lip between his teeth before pulling away and leaving me there to melt back against the tree, weak-kneed. Cassidy came walking into the forest, raising her eyebrows at the sight of me.
“Something tells me our little McKale’s not so shy anymore.”
“Not so much,” I said with a sigh. Cassidy laughed.
“Well, come on, if you can manage to walk.” She held out her hand and I took it.
We passed Leilah and Rachelle who were busy spreading flower petals all around the circle of cloth where McKale and I would bind again. They waved as we went by.
Mom, Dad, and McKale stood at the “technology station.” Dad pinned something on McKale’s shirt as we approached. A wire connected on the inside, snaking around his torso to the back where a thin device was clipped inside his pants.
“This is a video recorder. It should be the right height. Just make sure you remain facing the Faerie. What are you going to do when she gets here?”
“I’m going to pull her aside, Mr. Mason, sir, and get her to divulge her plan once again.”
“Perfect. Really play it up. Get her to show how she feels. Make sure she states every sordid detail. Don’t feel bad going for the kill. Flirt with her. Whatever you have to do to make her look bad.”
“Except kissing her, right?” Cass asked, making a face. “Gah, please don’t kiss her.”
“A little touching might make it believable,” Mom said. I glared at her and she quickly backpedaled. “Of course, avoid it if you can, but like Leon said, do what you must. Robyn will understand.”
McKale cleared his throat, opening his hands straight at his sides and then balling them into fists—open, closed, over and over. I took one of his hands, interlocking our fingers. We both held tight.
Dad had given everyone a brief test performance of the technology earlier in the day, video-taping people, and then showing snippets on the large screen. Very amusing for the clan, indeed.
“Let’s all stay positive,” Dad said, adjusting the wires at the back of McKale’s pants so they wouldn’t show.
“We are,” I whispered.
McKale nodded at me. I knew his pulse was working overtime, just as hard as mine. The time was approaching.
The plan was for McKale to get footage with FFG as soon as possible after the Fae arrived. Then, once everyone settled, the fake binding would commence, followed by the “special entertainment.” Cue video footage of FFG revealing her master plan to Leprechaun and Fae alike. And then it was up to the Summer King to decide what to do.
My stomach hurt. I had to let go of McKale’s hand to bend over with my hands on my knees.
A hushed whisper began throughout the clearing, growing louder.
“Oh, great,” I heard Dad mumble.
I stood and looked toward the woods where everyone else was staring. It took a second to make out the lost boys blending in with the trees until they all took a further step out and stopped. All except Rock, who continued toward us.
He seemed like a different person. His face was made of stone. Around his waist was a leather band with what appeared to be an iron dagger sheathed at his side. Upon inspection, all of the Clour at the tree line looked to be carrying different iron weapons, their faces equally severe.
“Ronan!” Cassidy called. Mom took her by the arm, stopping her from running to this.
“We don’t have time for this today,” Dad said to Rock as he neared us.
“I will not be in the way for long, sir.” Rock stopped within arm’s reach of Dad.
“Rock,” McKale said in a warning tone. “Don’t do anything foolish, mate.”
“It’s the least foolish thing I’ve ever planned, Kale.” He looked back at Dad. “I will no’ let yer daughter be taken into Faerie, sir. Nor my best mate. Me lads an’ meself are prepared to fight. I will offer me own self as a substitute fer Cassidy if it comes to that.”
Cass’s hands flew to her chest. “Ronan, no! You can’t!”
“I can.” His eyes seared into hers. “And I will.”
Mom and Dad stared, shocked.
“It will no’ come to that,” McKale tried to assure him.
“Indeed, I hope it does no’. But if it does, I will be there.” He pointed to the woods where his clan stood at attention. “Waiting.”