Page 75 of Sidhe
“He said it was because…he hated disorder or some shit like that. That they were all doing their own thing instead of being an army like they were supposed to be if Jim led them.”
“That wasn’t a lie,” Walter said. “But why merely bring them back to the Veil?”
Nathan already knew this punch line. “So he could try again.”
“With a newpowerfulman to lead them.”
“Solrin. He wanted to start over fresh and we gave him everything he needed. His soldiers. Even his god damnGeneral.” Nathan slammed his fist onto the countertop.
“Solrin made his own choices, Nathan. He was not your fault,” Walter said.
But Iain was. Nathan would never be able to shake that, the absence of Iain because he hadn’t been quick enough, hadn’t known what to do.
“So what does this mean?” Jim asked.
“With Malak’s army restored and the Veil failing more rapidly, the dark fae can cross over to the human plane more easily now.” Walter looked down, his dark expression deepening further and making him look very human. “They need only pass over the fields of Gehenna, the place between worlds, and they will be a unified mass at your doorstep. Gehenna is said to be the place evil will be destroyed, but now… I thought there was more time to prepare you for this.”
“Wait, what are you saying?” Nathan sat up straight on his stool. “Where’s this Gehenna place?”
“It is where most of the battle between the light and dark fae took place during the first war, where the Veil is weakest. Here.”
Alex blinked. “Here?”
“The fields beyond the Gatehouse toward the town.Here.”
The blood rushed from Nathan’s face. They had been standing on the battlefield of the apocalypse and they hadn’t even known it. “And because…because we helped give Malak his army back, becauseIamended the deal, they’re stronger and more organized now, and…and Solrin is leading them?”
Walter’s lack of response was more than enough of an answer.
“Fuck.” Nathan’s fists clenched at his sides. “How long do we have until they make it through the Veil and cross the fields?”
“Not long. Weeks. Maybe days.”
“And that’ll just be it?” Sasha asked. “Malak’s army here, the apocalypse, the end is fuckingnigh?”
For once, Walter did not flinch at the curse. “It means the real battle will be at hand, yes. And Nathan will have to choose a side. That is where your final decision will come into play, Nathan. The side you fight on is the one that will win.”
Nathan huffed. There was only one side he would ever choose.
“Well…doesn’t that soundboring?”
Startled by the unexpected voice, the group turned in unison toward the end of the bar. Nathan felt his whole face go hot at the sight ofPucksipping a drink in that same stool he had appeared to them on the first time. Wally gave a quiet hiss.
“What thefuckdo you want?” Nathan snarled.
“Whoa, geez.” Puck held up his hands, standing and leaving his summoned drink. “What’s with all the animosity? I thought we were friends. I warned you of Solrin, you’ll recall. Come on now, I don’t mean any harm.” Puck moved right in, throwing anarm over Walter’s shoulders like they were best buddies. Walter looked annoyed.
“We never actually made a deal with you,” Nathan said, “and in case you haven’t been paying attention, Solrin’s gone. And we’re onefriendshort.”
Puck didn’t lose his grin, but he released Walter’s shoulders. “You did the best you could, and I am truly sorry for the loss of your friend, I am. So even though you say we didn’t actually make a deal, I have no problem keeping up my end of one. Believe me, kids, a win for Malak is not a win for me. I like this world as it is. Let me help you.”
“We don’t need your help,” Jim jumped in.
“What he said,” Nathan said. “No offense, pal, but you’re the last person whose debt I want to be in.”
Puck merely smiled wider. “Hey, I get it. Why trust me, right? Maybe I’ll show up if you need me anyway, who knows. But in the meantime, just so you know how much I appreciate your efforts with that kid, I’d like to give you something, Nathan.”
Offers from fae always came with a price. Nathan knew that well enough. “Listen—”
