“I know nothing of this spell,” Aerten said, frowning.
“You were bewitched with the rest of us. How could you?” he asked.
“But I am the goddess of fate. If there was a spell that needed to be broken in the future, especially one of such importance to our people, I’d have known about it.”
“Perhaps. But Druantia’s magic took my memories as well.” Cam watched her closely, still on edge that she might flee the table for Otherworld and bring the rest of the gods down upon his head.
Instead, she spoke. “You think you have a way to break this spell?”
He nodded. “Druantia was mortal. Was. She’s obviously not anymore. She’s getting the power that fuels her immortality from somewhere, and I think it’s from the forest that grew up from the blood and bones of the Dryads.”
He felt Ana’s hand clasp his under the table. He squeezed, grateful for the connection. “I believe that the power of our emotions, part of our very souls, is trapped in those trees. Along with the souls of the sacrifices. It’s a macabre place, a dark forest that’s protected by dark beings. But if we can cut down all the trees, I think that we can break the spell.”
There were murmurs throughout the room.
“So, like, lumberjacks?” Aurora asked. She was even more irreverent than her sister, but he chuffed a laugh, grateful for the bit of levity.
“Essentially,” he said. “But the forest will be protected by creatures and magics that will want to keep us from chopping it down. With all of us, and all our powers, I think that we could manage.”
“And you say this will restore emotion to the gods of Otherworld.” Aerten’s voice sounded strange. Almost hopeful.
“That’s what I think.”
“We can’t tell the other gods,” Aerten said. “They wouldn’t believe you. Coming to earth to oversee the Mythean Guard has made me question our ways. But for them, who see no reason to come here, they’re mired in their superstition.”
“I believe that’s part of the spell,” Cam said. “Druantia took our emotion as vengeance, but ensuring that we stayed in Otherworld gave her incredible power as the only intermediary between the gods and mortals. They’re committed to the status quo because they’ve been enchanted to be. So, I agree with you. We don’t tell them.”
“Excellent,” Esha said. “I say we get down to planning who does what. We’ll see who else we can get from other departments. When will we do this?”
“I think we should leave for the forest tomorrow, at first light,” Ana said. “Druantia already knows that something is up because she has most likely found my body in her pantry. She’ll know what I did to my mortal body to send my soul to Otherworld and Cam. We want to get there before she can interfere.”
“How do you have a physical, earthly body if you killed yours in Druantia’s pantry?” Aerten asked.
“I don’t know. There’s something strange about that.”
Lea frowned. “I can’t explain it, either. But we need to move on with this. While you all plan, I’ll look through my books, see if there’s anything about the forest that can help.”
The group set about sketching out a basic plan for the next day, though the details of what they would actually face were still a mystery. They finished by determining a meeting place for the next morning.
“Thank you for your help, everyone,” Ana said. “We’ll see you tomorrow. Oh, but before you go, does anyone know of a black falcon that can break magical chains with its beak? It
helped us in Otherworld, but I don’t think that kind of bird exists there. Or on earth, for that matter.”
Everyone shook their heads.
Damn. “Right, then. Thanks for the help. Really.”
Everyone nodded, said their goodbyes, and filtered out of the room. They met Harp in the hall.
“Thanks for coming.” Cam clapped his friend on the shoulder. He introduced Ana, and the three of them walked down the hall as a group, passing beneath the watchful eyes of the portraits that lined the walls.
“Wouldn’t miss it,” Harp said. “What do you think our odds are tomorrow?”
Cam met Ana’s gaze. It held the darkness he felt in his own heart. He finally had something to really live for, but would they survive? “I’ve no idea.”
“That’s what I figured. But I’ve narrowed down the location of the Rosa McManus to a thirty-square-mile area. So you’ve got a real reason to succeed tomorrow.”
Cam felt a grin stretch across his face. He hadn’t thought he’d smile until this was all over. “Excellent. Good work.”