Page 20 of God Touched

"Get two patrols together and sweep the entire property. I just had some of Morrigan's horde remnants attack me, and I need to know how the fuck they got in," he snapped. The guards bowed low before hurrying away.

Arawan thought about what Imogen had said. He knew at least four magical adepts that were a part of his court and could manipulate warding. He couldn't ask them about tampering in case they were the ones guilty of it. It would give them too much opportunity to cover their tracks.

The fae princes could assist, but he didn't want them to upset Imogen settling in. The princes got him to thinking of their history, and the answer came to him; the sorceress.

Arawan's more mortal form melted away, and he drew on his power of the God of Annwn. He could feel the otherworld open to him, like a tear in the seam of the world, and cool mist poured through.

"Aisling, the Lord of Annwn, calls for your aid," his voice boomed into the ether.

Within moments, a delicate barefoot woman stepped through the portal and into the mortal world. Her blue eyes were wide as they took the night in. When she spotted him, she bowed low.

"My lord, how may I serve you?" Aisling asked without looking up.

After dealing with Imogen's complete irreverence, her submission was almost strange.

"I wish for you to join my court as my personal sorceress. I also require information from you about your old masters," Arawan said. He shut the gateway to Annwn and resumed his mortal form.

"I didn't have masters, my lord. I served the Blood Prince and his brothers willingly," Aisling answered, raising her head. "What have they done?"

"Nothing, as yet, and they are all living."

Aisling smiled. "Thank the gods. What do you wish to know? They are all very honorable, even Killian—"

"I have their sister," Arawan admitted.

Aisling's blue eyes went wide. "Their sister! But they never had any… Oh, they found their mates!" The sorceress almost danced with impish glee. "This is too perfect. Forgive my exuberance. I'm very pleased to hear that they are thriving."

"They are indeed. I have made an alliance with them while I deal with Hafgan. I need your help, and I feel like I could trust you," Arawan said and explained the matter of the warding. Aisling listened, nodding. She smiled in delight as he told her about Imogen fighting off the horde creatures.

"She sounds fearless. And an Ironwood! Oh, Killian would'vehatedthat," she crowed with delight. "I'll see to the wards, my lord, and I would love to be your sorceress. I need to meet this lass."

"She is quite something," Arawan conceded, pushing down the thoughts that had been trying to fight their way free. He whistled, and a hound appeared. "He can take you wherever you need to go. I will have the servants prepare accommodation and clothing for you."

"Thank you, my lord, for the opportunity to be back. Even if for a short time," Aisling said, bowing so low her black hair brushed against the ground.

"Serve me well, Aisling, and I will bring the princes here to see you," he promised.

"Thank you, I would… That would make me very happy." Aisling mounted the hound in one smooth move. "I will return when I have repaired what was broken in the warding. If the magic-user has been lazy, I will find signatures of their power, and I'll be able to trace them that way." With a nod, the sorceress disappeared into the night.

Arawan hoped none of his court would be about to harass him. He needed a bath and some time to think. Probably about Imogen inherbath. Fuck.

Duncan was waiting for him as soon as he stepped inside. He looked thoroughly put out, and Arawan could see that Imogen had gone straight through him.

"My lord," he said, bowing.

"Duncan, I trust you put our newest arrival into the rooms I requested?" Arawan asked. He kept walking, and Duncan fell into step beside him.

"I did, my lord. I have concerns that placing someone that could be an enemy so close to where you rest is dangerous," he said.

"What can a mortal woman do to me?" Arawan waved his concern aside. "She isn't anything to worry about."

"She took my key to her room," Duncan complained.

Arawan suppressed a laugh. Of course she did.

"You won't be needing it, and she is entitled to her privacy. We haven't had a liaison from the living fae court for millennia. Make her feel comfortable. She won't be staying forever." Arawan's tongue seemed to trip up on that. He didn't like the idea of her leaving.

She won't be allowed to. Not until I can learn what it is about her that makes me…Arawan didn't have the right word.

---