Kissed by Eternity by Shéa MacLeod Read Free Book Online Page B

released my power from it but gave it a good swat with my hand for the "stupid" remark. It squealed angrily as it tumbled through the air and tangled in the branches of a tree. I could still hear its tiny voice cussing me out in two different languages as the three of us headed down the trail.
    "Looks like a goat trail." Haakon stared at the path leading to the castle. His mood wasn't improving.
    "Don't be an ass," I snapped. His eyes widened. "It's the same trail Jack and I took from the castle when we were chasing Brent Darroch. If he can manage it, so can you."
    "What is it with this guy and the Sidhe Queen?" Inigo wondered aloud. Nobody answered. It was rhetorical. We had no idea what Alister and Morgana were up to, but it couldn't be good.
    As we followed the path toward the castle, the air became increasingly thick until it was like breathing soup. It was hot, too. Hotter than the bloody jungle we'd tromped through in the Caribbean. Trailing vines slapped at bare arms and faces, and heavy branches dripped water on us until our clothes were soaked. It must have rained recently.
    It seemed like ages before we finally escaped the forest onto the hillside overlooking the Queen's castle. Had the black stone grown darker since the last time I'd seen it?
    "There's no way we can make it back to the portal quickly," Inigo murmured. "It's been ten minutes already, and we're not even to the castle yet."
    Only ten minutes? Guess time really did pass differently in the Otherworld. I smiled grimly. "Don't worry. I've got a plan."
    "Sure hope so," Haakon muttered. "This place is too hot for my blood."
    I ignored him. "Let's go."
    It took another ten minutes to reach the bridge that spanned the river in front of the castle. Distances, like time, were deceiving in the Otherworld. The gate stood wide open, allowing easy access to the castle courtyard. As we pressed closer to the portico, I saw something dripping down the castle walls. Thick, black sludge oozed across the black stones. No wonder it looked darker. I sniffed and almost gagged. It smelled worse, too.
    "I don't like this," Haakon growled, sliding his sword from the sheath along his back. Not that it would do him any good. The Sidhe were impervious to man-made weapons. Only a Sidhe blade could kill a Sidhe.
    "I don't like it, either," Inigo said, his voice low. "I know the Queen's Guard is off fighting the djinn, but this doesn't feel right. There should still be guards."
    I agreed, but we didn't have a lot of options. "Fan out," I said. "The faster we find Alister, the faster we can get the hell out of here. And make sure he has the grimoire. We need that book." I still had no idea why, but I knew it was important.
    We passed beneath the portico into the courtyard unscathed. I scanned every inch of the open space for possible attack. Nothing; there was nowhere for anyone to hide.
    I was all set to yell "clear"—I'd obviously been watching too many cop shows—when a roar shook the courtyard, rattling my very bones. I glanced around wildly but other than me, Inigo, and Haakon, there was no one in sight.
    "What the Hel was that?" Haakon shouted.
    I didn't have time to answer. Another ear-splitting roar rattled the windows. A shape shifted out of nowhere. One minute nothing, the next a giant creature stood in front of us, its teeth dripping bloody saliva. It was a monster halfway between a Minotaur and a demon, eight feet tall at least and nearly as wide.
    The top half was bull-like with horns so sharp it could spit a goat. Or a Hunter. The fur was shaggy and dark, trailing midway down the beast's chest, and the nostrils were wide and flared. The teeth, however, were pure demon, sharp and jagged.
    The bottom half was sort of human-shaped but with cloven hooves for feet and yellowish skin that looked reptilian. The hands were human, too, except they ended in long, razor-sharp nails.
    "Holy shit!" Inigo yelled. "What is that thing?"
    I had no idea. I'd never seen anything like it.