The Opal Witch: Prophecy (Book Two)

Chapter Twenty-Six

Declan 

The news alone that a sorcerer was working with the Fae Queen would've been enough to set Declan's temper on fire. The fact that it was that whiny weasel Nigel made him want to pull on all the magic around him and unleash it as soon as the boy was in view. Lux must have sensed his turmoil because she touched him gently on the arm, and it was enough to bring him out of his rage. He should comfort her right now, not the other way around.

"I take it, you know him?" Kitty asked dryly.

"Is he the mouthy kid from the Institute?" Calum asked, his gaze thoughtful.

Declan worked moisture back in his mouth. "Unless it's another Nigel, then yes. I know him, though he should still be at the Institute, and I'm not sure it's wise for me to return."

Kitty opened the back driver's side door of the vehicle. With her hand on the top of it, she shook her head. "He graduated a couple days ago and has been assigned to a witch in the Third Circle in Bluethorn Tennessee. Least that was what he said in the last update I received."

Percy's eyes narrowed, and he grunted, "Rather convenient timing."

Kitty shrugged and climbed into the back of the car. "All I know is he is going to have a contact I don't have, and if we can get it out of him, we might make a little headway toward getting closer to the Fae Queen."

"As much as I would love to torture him for information," Declan said, digging his fingers into his palm to steady his anger, "This sounds like a bad idea. If we started going after Morgan's people, she'll know we're coming. What if that means she speeds up the process?"

The thought alone was enough to douse the flames of his temper and incite panic. He'd almost Lux before when her angelic half nearly tore her apart. Memories of those days haunted him, waking him from deep sleeps, his heart thundering in his chest as he resisted the urge to reach out and make sure she was okay. This was a different battle, but losing it would end with the same result: Lux being lost inside herself, and he could see the same fear in her eyes when they were talking to Elaine.

"No," Lux said suddenly, her eyes flashing silver, but it wasn't Morgause fighting for control. Just a visible glimpse of her power as Knowing came over her. "This is the right path."

"Are you sure?" Calum pressed, not understanding what happened.

"Yes. I have a feeling, and even if I didn't, this makes sense. I mean, it's a little coincidental that a sorcerer who was at the Institute while Declan was there is also a follower of the Fae Queen. What if the Council was manipulated by Nigel somehow? They wanted us separated, and it may very well have to do with planting the Faerie Stone."

"So, we're going to Tennessee."

"Well," Lux hesitated and looked at Percy. "I think you and Calum should go back to the house. I Know you both should go back to the house. Check it for clues and start looking into the mystery around Adrienne's murder. You were called back to Sweetwater for that, and it's important too."

To Declan's surprise, neither of the Guardians argued with Lux, but then again, maybe he shouldn't have been. Both men looked at her with great respect. They would follow her into battle if she asked them to.

"Awesome. Road trip with Mom and Dad," Kitty mumbled as everyone went back to their cars.

Five hours later, Declan parked the car in front of a hotel and rubbed his dry eyes. Both girls were passed out. Kitty stretched across the backseat, her matted blonde hair covering her face, shifting with every breath she took. Lux slumped against the window. Her forehead left a faint print on the glass, and the skin between her eyebrows was pinched the way it always was when she concentrated deeply on something. It broke his heart, but he was glad she was getting actual rest and not plagued by more nightmares. Or worse.