Behind the Veil: 3 (Temptation Unveiled) (16 page)

Sheridan glared at one Fae just before she inhaled a little
Eau
de Kyle
, and the woman appeared startled, dipping her head apologetically
before scurrying away. “There better be, because this isn’t the sort of
distraction I need to scope out suspicious characters. Now everyone looks
guilty.” And more than moderately perverted.

Finn’s hand squeezed her knee beneath the table and she
brushed it away, though it took a monumental effort to do so. “I don’t need
that
sort of distraction either. Besides, Meru keeps smiling at me like she knows
something. I’ve always hated that particular smile.”

He made a sound of amusement and she frowned. “It’s not
funny.”

“To you,” he chuckled.

“Tell me what this protection ceremony is about,” she
muttered through gritted teeth. “Or I will throw this golden plate of magical
veggies drenched in mystical wine sauce all over your supernatural head.”

Damon, who was all the way at the other end of the table
with her cousin and Raj, choked on a piece of roll. Sheridan noticed and nodded
tightly. “See? I knew it. They’re eavesdropping.”

“He can’t help it, love. He’s Lycan.” She turned her
narrowed gaze on Finn and he winked. “Big ears.”

Her lips wobbled, fighting her smile. “Ceremony info.
Anything I need to be worried about? Does it involve more people I know and
naked orgies? Because I can just leave and let you tell me all about it in the
morning.”

Finn licked his lower lip and studied her as if he couldn’t
tear his attention away. “Not tonight. Tonight is why we cannot leave yet. The
protection ceremony is just that, a recognition that we are in a place of
safety. That we defend each other as a united community. And to symbolize that,
Queen Morrigan will reveal the spear.”

At her shocked expression, he quickly corrected himself. “The
replica. Exact in every detail, but lacking its power. It is a gesture, nothing
more. But you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of what it is we need to find.”

At least that was something. Maybe if she saw it, she would
be able to focus on the image. To know where it was, the way Meru had known
about the cup. She turned her head to focus on the royal dais, where the queen
sat with Linnea, Hawk and Val.

For the first time, Sheridan allowed herself to really see
the wonders around her. The long tables that filled the main hall, lined with the
breathtaking Tuatha. The living and flowering plants that decorated the
impressive columns seemed to sway with the music that filled the hall. The
glowing veins of light that emanated from the walls, pulsing with life.

There was a grand staircase that led from the hall up to the
throne and a small but elegant table where the beautiful queen—with her long
golden curls, just kissed with a strawberry sheen, and her glittering crown—held
court. And of course, the Guardian Mother and her twin Viking lovers who both
still bore an uncanny resemblance to one particular movie star, sitting quietly
beside her.

She was living in a freaking fairy tale, filled with the
kind of stories and characters she hadn’t believed in since she was old enough
to argue with her mother. She’d been roommates with a dragon, cousin-in-law to
a Werewolf and possibly soon—perish the thought—she would be the stepdaughter
of an alien/god/professor who thought he knew what was best for everyone.

And she might be falling a little bit in love with a fairy.

The cynical, cool Sheridan inwardly scoffed at that, but the
younger, more innocent version of herself wasn’t scared away by the ridicule.
She was ready to believe. Almost.

Focus
, Sheridan scolded herself, inching her chair
subtly away from Finn’s.
Focus on the queen.

Luck was on her side. Queen Morrigan leaned over to murmur
something in Linnea’s ear before standing, her head held in a particularly
regal manner. It was the signal the crowd had obviously been waiting for and a
hush fell over the hall.

“Children of Danu,” she began, her musical voice echoing off
the walls. “In two days the veil will thin, winter will begin its surrender to
spring and we will see the true joining of the Guardian Mother and the chosen
men of the sword.”

She moved around the table and glided slowly down the
stairs. Sheridan was mesmerized. She had met this queen before, but she was
only now seeing the power she wielded in her presence. With her voice. Maybe it
was a gift that came with the crown. “We gather to acknowledge the celebration
of
Imbolg
. Knowing the future is ripe with possibilities.”

Her smile turned mischievous as she scanned the faces of her
people. “Many a Fae child has been conceived during this celebration and,
I
am sure
, we will see many more arrive ’ere too long.”

Soft, scattered chuckles traveled around the tables, quickly
subsiding as she continued. “For now, we lit the fire and it will burn,
bringing us closer to each other and also to those from outside our community
who wish to share our joy. I know I speak for all of us when I say we welcome
the
Fianna
, friends of our swordsmen and protectors of humankind, to our
festivities.”

Her delicate clap was echoed by some, but not all. The queen
noticed and raised one regal, perfectly sculpted brow. “Not only have they
offered us their selfless service, they also found and returned to me my
grandchild, Crystal. The new light of this Realm and your future queen.”

The applause grew.

“That is more than enough reason to officially sanction
their participation in our celebration.
Including
the games. I’ve been
told that since they belong to no Fae family, it is within my powers as queen
to grant them use of mine. My family warriors will step aside and a champion
will be chosen from among the
Fianna
ranks to represent the royal house.
The greatest honor I can bestow, along with my eternal gratitude.”

Kyle leaned forward toward Finn and whispered, “What just
happened?”

“Looks like I’ll be participating in the games,” Finn
whispered back. “Be silent until she is done.”

Sheridan frowned.
He
would be participating? Why did
he instantly assume—

The queen drew everyone’s attention once again, interrupting
Sheridan’s thoughts. “We will remember what brings us together. How far we have
traveled to arrive safely home. To find a place where we could thrive. And why
we continue to reach for each other, need each other and love each other freely
and without reservation. We will remember that, together, we are protected and
safe under Danu’s care.”

A tall male Fae with white-blond hair approached the queen,
holding a box. He stopped a few feet away, his head bowed respectfully when she
closed the distance and caressed his cheek. Sheridan watched as she
methodically undid the latches, wishing every movement she made could be as
graceful.

When the box opened, Sheridan’s brow furrowed. How could a
spear fit in there? The queen, looking down as her hands reached inside, spoke
again. “The symbol of our protection. No battle waged could be won against it.
No one who held it could fail to seize the day. It is the remover of obstacles,
the slayer of enemies and the protector of Danu’s children.”

A ball. It was a ball that was—admittedly—glowing with a
purplish kind of hue, but still. A ball. Sheridan nudged Finn with her elbow,
but he refused to look away from his queen.

Queen Morrigan held the glowy ball thing over her head and
raised her voice. “Danu is with us always and Lugh will return.”

Sheridan jumped when the entire room shouted as one.
“Danu
is with us always and Lugh will return.”

“Together we will not fail.”

“
Together we will not fail
.”

The queen lowered her arms and placed the replica carefully
back inside the box while the crowd cheered, but Sheridan felt a shiver of
dread trace its way along her spine. Why?

She searched the room for something, some reason for the
foreboding rising like a tide inside her. But she saw nothing. No one acting
suspiciously. No sneering as the crowd roared.

Lugh will return.
Was that it?

She was suddenly thinking of the
Dark
and of the one monster
who must never return. Enlil.

Somewhere nearby, she knew there were those who wanted to
make that happen. Wanted Enlil free from his prison. Wanted to break the peace
and wreak havoc on her world.

But who and how many?

And how was she supposed to stop them with a glowing fucking
ball?

She caught Kyle’s attention. “You getting that feeling?”

His expression was sober. “I am now.”

She turned to Finn. “The three of us need to go to Ceri’s.
Now. We can talk there.”

Finn looked confused, but he didn’t hesitate. Without turning
to Damon for approval, without asking her a single question, he placed one hand
over hers and reached for Kyle with the other.

Sheridan blinked. She was actually starting to get used to
traveling like that. Airplane rides would never have the same appeal. She
looked around the empty living area. “Where are they?”

Kyle ran a hand through his hair. “Dian sensed something. He
argued with Ceri about it. Said they needed to get involved. That Danu wanted
them to help. She sent me ahead, saying they would meet me there as soon as she
convinced him to calm down. That’s all I know.”

Sheridan began to pace, cursing at the flimsy dress as it
got in the way.

“I can’t think.” She reached down to the edge of the long
hem and tore it until she had a slit to her knees. There. Now she could move. “He
sensed something? Or
heard
something? That’s what he does. Dian listens.”

Finn stood still, alert as he watched her walk swiftly back
and forth across the room. “Yes. With alarming frequency and no regard for
privacy, he listens.”

The wheels were turning in her head. “It must have been
something big. He would have been in telepathic heaven at the gathering, but he
missed it because Danu wanted…”

Kyle grabbed her elbow, halting her mid-step. “What? I saw
it, you just had an idea.”

“She can tell you just as easily without you touching her,”
Finn informed him through gritted teeth.

Sheridan rolled her eyes. “No time for that, Neander-Fae.
Actual investigating going on. He said Danu wanted them to help? Did he say it
exactly like that, Kyle?”

Finn stepped toward her, incredulous, but then shook his
head. “Oh. Actual investigating. So my skills—my thousands of years of
tracking
skills that can find them both in minutes—are of no use here, I suppose. I
should just return to the after-dinner Fae orgy and leave you two upstanding
officers to search the area for clues.”

Sheridan wasn’t blushing. She refused. “Did I mention I’m
feeling a kind of Druidy vibe that I need to talk to Dian? A strong one.”

His lips twitched. “A Druidy vibe?”

“What can I say?” She shrugged helplessly. “I’m not the
easiest partner. Ask Kyle.”

Kyle held up his hands. “Seriously, Harridan, are you trying
to get me killed? I know nothing, okay, Finn? I touch nothing and I know
nothing.”

Sheridan blew out a frustrated breath. “The pool of water.
The cave in my dream. When Kyle said—”

“I know.”

Sheridan knew she was glaring again. “
You know
? You
can’t know what I was going to say.”

“I know where they are now. See how easy that was?” He
tapped his fingers against his leg. Waiting.

“Oh. Good.”

Finn’s violet gaze turned toward Kyle. “You’ll be safer
here. You should stay. We’ll get in, get them and come back.”

Sheridan could see Kyle’s ire rising. “I’ve been inside
those caves before. Earlier today, in fact, when you were trying to get rid of
us for some quality in-bed-with-
my-partner
time.”

Like a predator stalking a meal, Finn crossed the room until
he was towering over the posturing cop. “She isn’t your partner anymore, is
she, Kyle? And what we do together, in bed or out, is none of your business.
You will not be going with us because I can’t guarantee your protection or
theirs. I sense them below, very near the other Dwellers.”

“So?” Kyle stared him down, not giving an inch, despite his
earlier behavior. Her partner always played the hapless hobo, but there wasn’t
much he was actually afraid of.

Finn glared. “Imagine a group of ascetics who’ve abstained
from all worldly things for millennia. Imagine the kind of patience and control
it would take for them to achieve peace. You saw how my people reacted to you?”
He waited until Kyle acknowledged his words. “How foreign and strange might you
be to a Dweller? How disturbing would you be to their peace, do you think?”

“Dian is—”

Finn cut him off. “Different. Dian is different. He has
decided to indulge. Not all of his kind would appreciate him taking his gifts
away from their collective. Taking attention away from their primary focus.”

Sheridan interrupted them. Curious. “What is their primary
focus? Enlightenment?”

Finn held out his hands and flexed them impatiently. “In a
way. They seek Danu. To commune with her. To join her. To follow her into that
dimension between all others where she seems to dwell.”

“Danu came to Sheridan in her dream,” Kyle reasoned. “Won’t
they know? Be interested in her?”

Finn looked down a moment before nodding. “They would know
if you were going. They’d read you in a way they can’t read her. Humans have no
mental defenses against that.”

“Dian can read you, Finn.” Sheridan shifted, feeling that
sense of foreboding again. “Why am I safer with you?”

He turned swiftly and gripped her arms. “You still don’t
trust me, do you? Dian is different. Truly gifted. If I’m ready, my defenses
should last long enough to get you to your pool and see why Ceri and her
Dweller haven’t returned. Get some damn answers to a few of our bloody
questions. If anyone can get beyond that, I can have you out of there in an instant.”