The Forgotten Ones

Chapter 12

Beyond the briars and thorns, the ground was covered in dry, brown grass that crackled when we walked over it. Trees with no leaves dotted the landscape, their limbs reaching up to the sky in a silent plea for mercy. The ground turned rockier, and the trees were replaced by stout bushes that resembled steel wool.

The sun was hot and unforgiving in the jaundiced yellow sky, but we didn't even stop for a drink. The scent of salty sea air mixed with sulfur got stronger the farther we walked. We came to the edge of a steep cliff before Aodhan spoke again. His voice was barely audible over the crash of waves below.

"The entrance to Aoife's house is on the face of this cliff. The path is steep, so stay alert."

I looked over the ledge and down the narrow path, the wind whipping strands of hair in my eyes. I saw the gaping mouth of a cave halfway down to the rocky shore. Aoife had chosen the perfect place to live if she didn't want visitors.

I followed close on Aodhan's heels. As I walked, I leaned my body into the rocky wall.

When we reached the cave, I could only see about five feet inside before the path was swallowed up by darkness. Aodhan walked in, and after three steps, a chain of fey lights blinked on in a domino effect, lighting the cavern within.

I hurried after him. The cave entrance was charcoal gray and smooth, but as we walked deeper inside, we came to a corridor carved with intricate scrollwork, like trees with long curly-cue branches. The corridor came to an end with two crescent-shaped wooden doors. Aodhan opened one side with no trouble—we must be expected. I shivered at the thought.

Inside was a high-ceilinged entryway, lit by dozens of fey lights lining the walls. Beautiful spiral designs were carved into every surface. It didn't smell like the sea in here; there wasn't really a smell at all, just clean air. But it was quiet, and each step we took felt like the beat of an ominous drum.

Three doors led out of the entryway. I looked over at Aodhan for instruction, and he headed for the one directly in front of us.

A gasp escaped my lips as we entered the room. I remembered this place from my dream of Liam and Aoife. A man sat casually across the room—the same one I had dreamed of standing there with a black bird on his arm, smirking at me.

Breanh.

"Welcome, Allison. I'm so pleased you came," he said, a wicked grin spreading across his features. His black hair was shoulder length, framing his angular face.

At first I couldn't think of anything to say. I just stared at him until I sensed how much he enjoyed my discomfort. I looked up at Aodhan, but he just stared blankly at Breanh.

"Where's Ethan?" I asked, my voice as firm as I could make it.

"Oh, Ethan is fine. More than fine, you might say." The look of delight on his face increased as he spoke. Breanh took a step toward us, and I shrunk back, which only seemed to add to his pleasure.

"I must tell you...I'm impressed you made it through those nasty vines. They tend to be such a problem," he said with mock sincerity. "It's just too bad Aodhan wasn't so lucky."

Before I could say aloud that this guy was a total lunatic, Aodhan's form wavered beside me. I came close to screaming when I realized the man by my side was not Aodhan at all, but a complete stranger wearing a glamour.

Icy cold panic ran through me as Breanh looked on with another cruel smirk.

"What have you done with him?" I whispered.

He leaned forward on the balls of his feet, as though he was savoring my fear. "Aodhan took a terrible fall into a pit below the vines. I do hope he'll make it out soon. I'd love to see him."