Page 50 of Wicked Savior
The next morning, a middle-aged woman comes to the cave. Wearing a simple white blouse and blue skirt, she looks like every other human, but the power humming inside her is pretty strong. Her eyes are huge in her small face when she steps into the cave, but her hands are steady, and she holds her palms out, ready to defend herself.
I wave to the stone across from me. “I’d offer you a proper seat or refreshments if I had any to spare, but as you can see, it’s pretty bare in here.”
She stares at me for a long minute, then slides onto the edge of the stone seat. “Who are you, and what do you want?”
“I’m Evren, the daughter of Viridis, and I need your help,” I explain to her, hoping she knows a least a little something about her origins. “You are?”
She dips her chin but says nothing. Druid secrecy at its finest. I know she can feel the breadth of my power, but she refuses to yield an inch.
“My mother gave her blood to Brennus to create the Druid race. Once, there were thousands of you. Now, you’re almost extinct. If you want to save yourselves, I’m here to tell you how, but I need you to drop the stoic act and help me,” I tell her, smothering the irritation rising inside.
Interest flickers in the depth of her eyes. “You can really save us?”
Carefully crafting my words, I answer her. “I know how to save you.” Whether it’s something the Druids will embrace, I’m not sure, but I don’t say those words to her. “I want you to send an invitation to the ten families to come here. The day after tomorrow.”
She frowns. “Six. Six families,” she corrects me. “I’m Fiona, head of the Brennus family. Can you not let me pass along the information or spell?”
No wonder she has more power than most Druids I’ve run across. “Six? What happened to the ten?”
She purses her lips, then murmurs, “Beyond the natural way of life, some meddled in things they shouldn’t have and were killed by the beasts they created. Others met their end at the tip of an angel’s sword.” She smooths trembling hands down her skirt.
It always returns to Gabriel and the beasts. “We’re going to solve that problem, too,” I assure her. “While we wait for the families to arrive, I’m going to need some supplies.” Stuffing my hand in my pocket, I pull out several large gems and pieces of gold. “I think this will be enough, but if not, let me know.”
She cups her hands and holds them out to me. “My network can get you anything you need, especially if it means getting rid of those beasts.”
I take a deep breath, hoping I’m not about to blow the small trust I’ve built with her. “I’ll provide you with a list of the items.” I pause. “I’m also going to need you to send two messages to the Underworld. One to Cormal, and one to Lucifer.”
Her head shakes back and forth vigorously, and my heart sinks.
“No, I refuse to send a message to Cormal. Druids banned him long ago. We’re forbidden to have anything to do with him,” Fiona vehemently informs me.
My eyebrows arch in disbelief. Her issue is with Cormal? I thought sending a message to the Ruler of the Underworld might be an issue, but never dreamed she would refuse to send one to Cormal.
“Can you send a high-ranking demon to me? I’ll craft my own messages to send to the individuals in the Underworld.”
She carefully considers the compromise I’m proposing and dips her chin. “That will work. Anything else?” Her voice has an arrogant tone to it.
“No, that’s all,” I reply, handing her the list. “Thank you. I knew I chose this cave for a reason. It’s almost as if Brennus himself answered my plea for help.”
Fiona preens, then laughs. “You don’t have to lay it on that thick. I’ve already agreed to help you.” She taps the gems and gold in her pockets. “Although, I’m keeping the change.”
Laughter spills out of me. I wonder if this is what my mother saw when she spoke to Brennus? A willingness to fight and stand up for his beliefs. My eyes water at the thought of her. Through all of this, I still haven’t found one clue to her whereabouts. I turn away when a tear leaks from the corner of my eye. When did I become so emotional? I used to be more like the woman behind me, stoic and analytical. Secretive. I sigh.
Brushing it away, I swing back to her. “I agree. You should keep the rest. I’ll see you soon.”
ChapterTwenty-Eight
EVREN
The demon arrives an hour later. With black, leathery-like skin, it appears to be locked in its demon form. Apparently, Fiona had to trap it to get it to do her will. I wince.
“You’re a high-ranking demon?” I ask, needing to be sure my messages will get through immediately.
Smoke rolls out of his nostrils. “I’m a High Demon.”
Unsure of what that is, I stare at him. “Do you have enough clout to get a message to Lucifer?”
He raises an eyebrow. “I can, but whether I will is up for negotiation.”
