Page 74 of The Seer

“Indeed. But how do you know Merlin? Is he still around?”

“What?” It took her longer than it should’ve to recognize he was teasing her. “Funny. Go back to the Enchantress, please.”

He grinned and gamely continued. “My understanding is that Isolde’s husband was infected before she realized the threat and exorcised it from him. Her mistake was absorbing it herself. Despite her Aether status and the power she could wield, the Demon was too strong. Too crafty, even for her.”

“The Darkness was why she went insane, right? Its need to feed forced her to do those dastardly acts?”

“Yes.”

“Does that mean you’re stronger than Damian, than any Aether?” she asked, wonder rounding her eyes.

“I am with the amulet.”

Dread churned in the pit of her stomach. “And you want me to help you draw up those magical artifacts why, exactly?”

“To defeat Odessa and get it back.”

“And then?” Taryn croaked, sensing his final intent.

“Burn the witch community to the ground.”

Her stomach bottomed out. “But I’m a witch.”

“You’re the exception, love.”

There would need to be an obscene number more exceptions if he wanted her cooperation. Picturing Fintan’s bedroom, she closed her eyes to teleport. Ardghal’s steel bands encircled her and held her in place.

“I can’t let you leave. Not before you understand.”

“I’ll never understand!” she shouted, viciously shoving his marble-carved chest.

He didn’t budge, and the only thing she gained was a tweaked wrist.

“Elizab—”

“Taryn. Taryn Stephens,notElizabeth!” she snapped.

“Okay, Taryn-Taryn it is.”

Her heart pinged. “No! You don’t get to use Fintan’s endearments. You return him to me, right now. If you don’t, I’ll blow up this fucking grotto with you in it!”

Clapping sounded from across the pool. “Here, here, you feisty girl!”

“Odessa,” Ardghal hissed under his breath. He released Taryn and swept her behind him to face Fintan’s aunt.

“Teleport to your Aether and do it immediately,”he told Taryn through their bond.“She’ll kill you if you don’t.”

“I’ll kill her if she does,” Odessa replied aloud.

Taryn almost wet her pants. Either way, her life expectancy was nil, but she’d be damned if she was leaving Fintan.

“Fuck,” she muttered.

“My thoughts exactly,” Ardghal murmured. “If it counts for anything, Fintan is voting for you to escape, love.”

“He’s not the boss of me.”

Other than a snort, he didn’t reply.

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