Lycans and Legends

Chapter 27: At Least It’s Not Lord Cabell

I boarded the airship, motioning to the captain that we were ready for departure. Steadying myself at the rail, I dipped into my pocket for a ginger chew. The burner under the balloon fired, and the airship lifted out of port, heaving us up into the sky as the vessel turned west, my stomach turning along with it. Holding onto the ropes, I gazed out at the city. It would be dark soon. Arriving at Glastonbury at night was not ideal. And I had no idea what the druids were going to think about me bringing the fight to them. But everything in me told me I needed to get Melwas away from the city, away from the agency, away from my Queen, away from my so—Jericho, and somewhere…thin. Somewhere where the veil between the worlds could be easily opened and closed. Somewhere like Glastonbury.

Harper came and stood beside me.

“If I never have to board an airship again, it will be too soon,” I grumbled.

“Well, at least this time we aren’t hunting Vikings.”

“Luring someone who wants to unleash the apocalypse to follow us is better?”

“Not when you put it that way. What if he doesn’t follow us?”

I looked down at the crowd moving busily at the base of the airship towers. I could feel the preternaturals there. And while I couldn’t actually see Melwas, I knew. He was watching.

“He’ll be there.”

“Should I tell the captain to watch for someone following us?”

I shook my head. “No. No fussing about on an airship for him. He has his device.”

“He could get the drop on us, be there before we get there,” Harper said, worry in her voice.

“He might. And he won’t even have to get airsick in the process.”

Harper sighed. She was silent for a long time before she said, “Clemeny, do you want to talk—”

I shook my head. “There is nothing to talk about. I just wish you’d told me sooner.”

“That’s what Edwin said.”

“He was right. I’m not upset. I’m glad, actually.”

“Well, you won’t be completely glad.”

“And why not?”

“Because I’m going to go to India with Edwin.”

“Don’t they have mummies there?”

“That’s Egypt, not India. We want a clean break…that’s part of the reason Edwin asked for the transfer.”

“I see.”

“Are…are you angry?”

“Yes, that I’m losing my partner.”

“But you’re director now. You won’t need a partner. And Agent Rose always seems to have an eye out for you.”

“So she does.”

“I’m sorry things got…messy.”

“No. I’m glad it worked out like this. I was worried you were secretly dating Lord Cabell.”

“Oh, good god. No.”

At that, we both laughed.

“Messy, I understand. Believe me. I’m happy for you, Elaine. And for Edwin.”

“Thank you,” she said with a relieved sigh.

A soft hand touched my arm.

I turned to find Gothel standing there. She was a tall woman with dark hair, a lithe frame, and glimmering eyes that had a sheen of quicksilver. I had met her the summer before when some werewolves had abducted her for a bit of coin. That had not ended well for them. Gothel, as it turned out, was the protector of the line of Pendragon and had been roaming about the realm since the sixth century. The current heir of Pendragon, the sweet young girl with the longest yellow hair I had ever seen, was sitting on the other side of the airship smiling lovingly at Agent Goodwin. Good lord, were all Red Cape agents destined to fall in love with the very preternaturals we hunted?

“Clemeny,” Gothel said, looking at the amulet, her eyes wide. “What you are wearing is very dangerous.”

“Is it going to explode or anything?” I asked.

The faerie paused, surprised by my question. “No, but—”

“I know. Melwas will take my head for it. That’s why it’s around my neck and not Victoria’s.”

“I see,” Gothel said, sighing lightly.

“What do you know about Melwas?” I asked the faerie.

“He has always been the outcast of the Unseelie Court. Unruly, angry. He despises mankind. Queen Macha, his mother, has failed to rule or turn him. He is loved by the dark things of the Unseelies and the dark things of this realm. Even the blood of Mordred—the dragon bloods—honored him. They were his allies until they were defeated,” she said, glancing over her shoulder at the three Pellinore agents and Miss Pendragon who had seen to the exile of the dragon bloods. “If he has the other two pieces of the artifact, he will stop at nothing to take the gem from you. Including killing you and any of us who get in his way.”

“Aren’t you glad I asked you to come?” I replied.

Gothel smiled lightly. “I know why you asked us to come. I know what the druids have told you.”

“And?”

Gothel tapped her fingers on the rail of the airship. “Once, long ago, Melwas tried to abduct Gwenhwyfar, the white phantom. She was the wife of King Arthur. I was her protector. I didn’t let him win then, and I won’t let him win now. And I never had the chance to properly thank him for trying to kidnap my charge.”

I raised an eyebrow at the faerie.

“We all have our reasons for being here,” she said, a light smile on her face.

“Well, then. I guess we shall see.”

Gothel nodded. “We shall see.”