Realm of Mirrors (The DeathSpeaker Codex Book 3) by Sonya Bateman

Author:Sonya Bateman
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Published: 2016-04-23T07:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 22

The walk through the forest felt shorter when the banshees brought me back to Sadie and Uriskel.

They’d been waiting when Nyantha whooshed us back to the treehouse of the guardian. I’d almost wanted to stay longer—just because I still had no idea how we were going to get everyone back. But Nyantha insisted that if I trusted my abilities, everything would work out.

The DeathSpeaker does not merely speak to the dead, she’d told me. He compels them. The dead must answer to you, and no one else. Remember that, Gideon.

Last I’d seen her, she was climbing the steps to the treehouse, counting under her breath. That frost crystal must’ve been really important.

Back at the tree-cave, I was surprised to find Sadie asleep on the ground by the fire, using her backpack as a pillow. But she’d needed the rest. I suspected she was still working through the shock, and the endless hours of trudging through the swamps hadn’t helped.

I wasn’t surprised that Uriskel sat stiffly at the base of the tree, looking beyond annoyed as he tried to ignore the attentions of the two banshees who’d stayed behind.

Pan floated ahead into the clearing, hands on her hips. “Sisters,” she said sternly. “How fare ye?”

They looked up with guilty smiles and drifted over to her, giggling.

“Good. You’re back.” Uriskel stood and rubbed the back of his neck, glowering at the banshees. “Wake the girl,” he said. “We’ve a two-day hike through the marshlands before we even reach the Unseelie Wood.”

“The girl is awake, thanks.” Sadie opened her eyes and sat up slowly. “Did you say two days?”

“Aye. And another day to the palace, at least.”

She looked like she might cry. But she pressed her lips together, pushed up from the ground and gathered her pack.

I wasn’t feeling very encouraged, either.

Pan hovered on the opposite side of the fire, with the other four banshees grouped closely behind her. “Well, we’ve kept our word and brought ye back,” she said. “If ye should find yourselves among the Trees of Ankou again, try havin’ a bit of patience instead of shouting down the woods. Ye’ve but to call, and we’ll find ye.”

“Wait,” I said. There had to be another way to get around this place that didn’t involve a two-day slog—and maybe the banshees could help. “Can you do that thing Nyantha does? The deciding to be somewhere else thing?”

Pan shrugged. “Since I’ve no idea what you mean, it’s likely I can’t.”

“Look, we’ve got a long way to go, and a hard fight ahead,” I said. “And Uriskel doesn’t even have any shoes.”

“Whatever you’re on about, leave me out of it,” he snapped.

“What I’m saying is.” I shot him a quick glare. “Is there any way you can help us get there faster?”

“Blasted—” Pan cut herself off forcefully, and ground out, “Aye. There is.”

“Um…everything okay, there?” I said.

She glowered at me. “I’ve told ye the truth. Doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

Oh, right. I’d managed to forget she was dead. “Sorry,” I said.

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