I felt her distress, her sadness, as it reached out to me. Once again, she connected when she shouldn’t have been able. I pace, waiting for her answer. I have no patience for this, first she slips away and now her power is calling for my aid.

‘Cora! Are you in danger?’ My anger flows through our connection, and she finally answers. She’s fine. Fine. The glass in my hand shatters, and I look down at the blood dripping from my hand. The wound closes in seconds. Minutes pass as I stand debating what I should do. I release my power and examine her string, so tightly wound around mine. I start tracing it, tracking her, when suddenly it is gone. Gone?

My power breaks free, my anguish beating at me. A howl echoes through the darkness of the night as I change to a wolf that rivals my son’s. It takes me minutes to reach Audubon Park, and standing in the midst of the giant oaks, I howl again.

‘Loki.’ Yggdrasil’s power attempts to comfort me, but there is no comfort to be had.

‘She is gone. Taken from me. Where?’ Growling, I move among the trees.

‘She isn’t dead. Just trapped in a vision. By someone very powerful. We can’t reach her.’ Wrestling control, I force my power back, changing back to my natural form.

“What do you mean, trapped? I haven’t felt her power in the city at all since I’ve been here.”

‘I don’t know who, but someone has been waiting for her to have a vision, someone that knew exactly what her power felt like. They are very powerful. They blocked Morrigan.’ The last surprises me but worries me more.

“Morrigan is here?” I question, angry that she didn’t contact me.

‘You haven’t wanted to be contacted. She is with her mother now. The girl is at the farm.’ She recedes, leaving me to myself. I want to go but hesitate and instead go to her apartment. I was hiding in this city for a reason. I have no wish to face that reason now. Cora. Her image is burned into my mind, the last one of her crying over Fenrir’s body playing through it now. Her utter sorrow and burning guilt at not being able to save him etched into her entire body screams at me to go to her now. But the fear in her eyes as my power blasted into her tells me to stay away from her. It is because of me she ran, and the vision could be because of me as well.

My feet stop in front of the balcony, and I throw open the doors, changing to the bird of prey. I could sift, but the flight will help me gain more control of the power that is growing harder to contain. I sail over the city and fly low over the huge lake, climbing high into the sky as I draw closer to the farm. I feel the power of those that have gathered. I can see a wall is missing from a mile away and flap my wings harder. As I draw near, I glide, making no noise as I settle into the branches of the oak to watch. Bright blue eyes turn and search the branches, and freezing, I wait to see if he spots me. Finally he looks away, but I can feel his attention is split. He knows I’m here.

The next instant a bronze dragon leaps into the air. “Father, show yourself before he roasts you like a chicken,” Raven calls out. Every head turns my way. Sighing, I leap down, shifting as I fall, landing softly on the ground. All eyes follow me as I walk to the barn and as I reach it, I sift into the room standing near her.

I drink her in. Her face relaxed as if she is sleeping. I draw her scent into my lungs, patchouli and cinnamon. I ignore the others, walking to her side. They move without a word, seeing something in my face that warns them not to get in my way.

I kneel at her side. I kneel for no one. Closing my eyes, I send out a sliver of power, wrapping her in it, but still I can’t feel anything but a hint of happiness. I release more power, pushing harder.

“Father…” Raven’s voice tries to warn me but it is too late. Something, not Cora, whips out at me, clawing at my brain, kicking me out. I jerk back, narrowing my eyes and focusing on it. A gasp and a cry break the silence as Cora floats up off the couch, the power billowing around her. Rising to my full height, I look around at those in the room.

“Go. Move to the portal.” The room is bathed in the red light of my eyes as thunder claps, clouds rolling in the dark sky. They all hesitate, the Druids stiffen, but Raven pulls at their arms as she whispers to them and the others. Aislin nods but steps to my side as she waves the others away. Kai does as she asks but stays near.

“Whoever has her trapped her somewhere that brings her happiness.” Her hand falls on my forearm, and I glance at it before looking back into her eyes. “You need to reach beyond your anger and fear.” I scoff at her, but she continues as she shakes her head. “Reach for that tiny flame that you have been trying to extinguish. The one that refuses to be darkened, that is Cora, that is the destiny you’ve hidden from.” She sighs before continuing, “You are right to fear the power. I can feel its hunger, its desires, but I can’t believe that fate would give you Cora if you aren’t strong enough to fight for her.” Her smile is sad as she turns, her hand sliding away from me. I watch her, the words playing over and over as she disappears down the stairs.

I want to believe her, but she has no idea. I look at them all under the tree before once again focusing on Cora. Drawing a deep breath, I call the power, bracing as it races forward. ‘Easy,’ I whisper to it, ‘don’t destroy her’. I’m surprised as it gentles, wrapping around the barrier, testing it, pushing hard and harder until I feel a slight ripple and then I’m flying through the air. Hitting the ground hard, I look up and see she is still as before. Raven is at my side in seconds, worry etched in her pale face. The pounding of feet announces the others’ arrival.

“I was making headway until…,” I focus on the second before I was blasted away, eyes closed and eyebrows drawn, my head tilts as I examine the feeling of the magic surrounding her. Sifting to her side, I place my hand on the magic. It is as it was. I push, and she floats away, stopping at the other side of the couch. Sending out my magic, I loop it around her, making a net with a tether before leaping to the ground. She drifts above me like a balloon. “We need to take her someplace safe.”

The Druid steps in front of me, a growl rumbling in his throat. “Ye going to fucking tell us what is going on.” Sean’s accent is thick with his anger, eyes blazing green as the wolf fights for control.

“I will, but we are going to get her someplace safe. Lay your hands on my magic surrounding her and hold on.” I grin at their apprehensive faces. Raven does as I request, and the others follow her lead slowly. The men have their beasts in their eyes as they watch me, their women tuck close to them. Even Raven is stuck between her two men. I wink at Emma. “Hang on tight.” Her eyes widen as I begin to sift, dragging them all with me. We arrive seconds later on the Vanishing Isle beneath the Tree’s huge branches, which begin to curve around us. Fenrir’s grave draws my gaze, and I feel my heartbreak at his loss pound through me.

The Tree changes, becoming a giant willow with ribbon-like branches dangling, sweeping gently in a breeze we can’t feel. Those with me stare at it with wonder. “Thank you. I brought her for you to keep safe. Both of you chose her and, in that choosing, put her in danger.” I don’t hide my displeasure, and an outraged gasp alerts me to the arrival of Danu and Morrigan.

“You dare blame her?” Cheeks pink and eyes flashing, Danu comes to stand in front of me, stepping between myself and Cora.

“I do.” My voice is tight as I move around her. “Please hold her here,” I whisper as I place a hand on the trunk and over Cora. Branches dance to life, weaving themselves into a brilliant green cocoon. An image of her emerging like a resplendent butterfly plays in my mind, the colors of her tattoos swirling over her skin. It takes my breath.

“Dammit! Loki!” A rough hand pushes at me, and I shake myself out of the daydream while glaring down at the light-haired Druid.

“I wouldn’t push me…” The word puppy pops into my head and I like it. “Puppy.” His head whips to where she is being held and then back to me. Interesting.

“Please, Uncle. They said you promised to explain what you think has happened,” Morrigan implores as she glances at the tense faces around me.

“I did and I will,” I murmur. I run my hands over the long thin branches, feeling for the energy they are containing. Gently, I search for it, opening my mind, searching and seeing the strings of fate that are attached to the power.

‘Now you see.’ I nod. Turning, I face those that are impatiently waiting.

“I needed to check something to make sure.” Shaking my head, I try to temper my anger, still fighting my power and destiny. “I don’t recognize the one that made the trap.” Grumbles come from a couple of them, and I hold up my hand. “I do recognize a couple of those that are lending power to strengthen it.”

“No.” Danu shakes her head. One more despicable act by the man she once loved. I nod at her while walking to her.

“It’s not only him, though the threads are like a massive spider web. They form a tightly woven barrier that power, even mine, can’t break through. I don’t have any idea right now as to how to reach her.” I look back at her.

“It’s simple.” Emma’s voice is quiet. “We weaken the weave.” Snow is drifting down from the crystal blue sky of the Isle. “We cut their threads.” I grin at her.

“I like you bloodthirsty.” She dips her head as the others all begin to speak at once. I feel a shimmer of power and turn to see Nestor and the two he travels with now at his side. “How did you find us?”

He jerks his head to Jason. Locking his eyes on Cora, he stops, studying her. The tall one at his side narrows her eyes before continuing forward. I step in her path, and she glances at me. I know her story. I know how she helped killed many halflings, tortured humans, and had a hand in what happened to Emma. I look at Jason to see his reaction to her being here. His body is tense, eyes flashing between his dark brown and the blood red of Cerberus. Emma leans into him, and his arms come around her. Several moments later, he whispers in her ear, and she smiles. It is the smile a woman reserves for the man she loves.

“I only wish to look,” Powaqu states standing motionless as I, we, decide whether or not to trust her.

“Thank you.” Aislin’s clear voice rings out. Glancing at her, I realize I feel a tiny hint of her power. She is doing exactly what Yggdrasil told her she would, reading anyone who could pose a threat. Her head moves an almost imperceptible amount. Gritting my teeth, I step aside, letting the woman move by me. Her power reaches for Cora as my hand blurs before latching onto her arm. “Loki.” I glare at Aislin, tightening my hold until the woman cries out.

“Father!” Raven rushes to Pow’s side and pulling at my hand. “Release her now, Father!” Black wings swoop from her back as she tries and fails to pull the woman free. The scream of a big cat announces Michael’s shift, and a low rumbling growl sounds at my other side. Still I squeeze, my eyes red from my rage, from my power.

A great bronze dragon appears where Kai stood, his tail coiling around Aislin. She pats his chest and then steps away, moving forward, moving closer to me. I shake my head, fighting as a tsunami of my power crashes over me. My grip tightens again, and I can feel the bones breaking, but the scream from the woman sounds distant to my ears. I can hear those around me shouting and still she walks calmly to me. The snow is so thick I can’t make out Cora any longer. My fragile control snaps. I feel the moment I lose my battle; I feel her bones become dust, the blood running over my fingers.

The power has won. Bloodlust and madness will reign. My head turns in a slow halting motion, my gaze assessing the threat of those around me. They are too weak to stop me, and a grin, more like a baring of teeth, blooms on my face as my eyes lock on the one that would have hurt what is mine. With wide eyes, she shakes her head, seeing her death in my red gaze.

A cool hand touches my cheek, cupping it, nudging at me. Curious, I let it pull my gaze to the owner. Bright blue eyes look kindly at me. She is speaking, but I care not for what she is saying. The dragon’s eyes are locked on me, and I feel the heat of his fire. I am unprepared for the attack. I didn’t consider her strong enough.