But he was alone. Rordan was an exceptional warrior, but he would still be outnumbered. Unless he had the element of surprise. It was the route she would take. As hard as it was, Fianna decided to wait at the cottage as she had promised.
Eoghan stared out over the rolling green hills of western Ireland. The trail he and his Reapers had followed for Xaneth had led them to this place. It was quiet and peaceful, and if he listened closely, he could hear the sound of the waves crashing against the cliffs. He could see white cottages dotting the landscape in the distance.
“He was here,” Aisling stated.
Eoghan’s gaze swung to find her squatting next to a patch of grass that was still trampled as if someone had been lying on it.
Aisling lifted her gaze to Eoghan. “Though it looks like he was here for some time, he’s still ahead of us.”
“It’s taking too long for us to track him,” Torin said, agitation in his voice.
Eoghan turned his head to the newest Reaper. Balladyn wasn’t part of his team, but the former King of the Dark and legendary Light warrior was with them looking for Xaneth. Balladyn faced away from them, his long, black and silver hair falling down his back as he looked out to the sea.
Eoghan glanced at the others to see them gathered together. Then he walked to stand beside Balladyn. “What is it you see?”
“Did you ever think it might be better if we left Xaneth alone?” Balladyn asked.
Eoghan crossed his arms over his chest. “Aye. But it doesn’t matter what I think. Death gave us an order. We must follow it.”
“We have no idea what horrors Usaeil made Xaneth suffer. He won’t be the same.”
“No doubt, you’re right.”
Balladyn’s head turned, his red eyes locking with Eoghan’s before glancing behind him at the others. “Do the rest understand that we might not have a choice about what we do with Xaneth once we find him?”
Eoghan knew that Balladyn’s words were directed at Aisling. The female Reaper was intent on locating Xaneth far more than even Death herself. It was something Eoghan hadn’t wanted to look at too closely, but he knew there might come a time when he had no other choice.
“You aren’t the only one who thought of Xaneth as a friend,” Eoghan said. “He left his mark on many.”
Balladyn’s gaze moved to the distance once more. “Sometimes, it’s better to end the monster a Fae has become, rather than attempt to redeem them.”
“You were redeemed.”
“Exactly,” he said, disgust dripping from his tone. “I should’ve been put down the moment I turned Dark.”
Eoghan dropped his arms to his sides and faced the Fae. “No one in that position would’ve been able to withstand the darkness. You shouldn’t carry that.”
“Rhi withstood it.”
“Rhi was in there for weeks. You were locked in the dungeon and tortured for decades. It isn’t the same. And even Rhi succumbed. She admits that to this day.”
Balladyn looked at the ground. “This isn’t about me. This is about Xaneth.” He looked at Eoghan. “I’ve watched you each time we’ve tracked Xaneth. You know, just as I do, that Usaeil might have turned a good Fae into a monster. She tormented him for a long time. He hasn’t harmed anyone yet, but he might.”
“I do know. Let’s keep it to ourselves for the moment.”
Balladyn looked over his shoulder once more. “You have a great group of warriors. The best I’ve seen.”
“It’s why Death chose each of us. And you.”
“Hmmm. But I don’t fit in anywhere.”
“If there’s one thing I’ve learned about being a Reaper, it’s that Death always has a plan.”
Balladyn looked at Eoghan and bowed his head. “I will do my best to remember that.”
“Eoghan,” Cathal said as he walked up. “We have no idea which direction Xaneth went. For all we know, he teleported to the other side of the world. We’ve fanned out and tried to get a direction as we have in the past, but we’re coming up empty.”
“He’s stayed in Ireland up until now,” Balladyn pointed out.
Eoghan considered that and nodded. “He’s gone nowhere near the Light Castle or the Dark Palace. In fact, he’s gone to places much like this one—remote and quiet.”
“Then why leave?” Cathal asked.
Balladyn faced them. “Because his mind is in complete and utter turmoil. These places are serene, but it isn’t enough.”
“What is making him leave, then?” Aisling asked as she walked to them, flinging one of the many small braids of her hair over her shoulder.
Torin, Bradach, and Dubhan made their way over.
“We won’t know that until we catch up with him,” Balladyn told the group.
Torin looked at Eoghan, a frown forming. “Does anyone else realize how close we are to Rordan?”
“Shite,” Aisling murmured.
Eoghan slid his gaze to Balladyn before turning his head and looking in the direction of Achill Island, which was also the direction Balladyn had been staring. Eoghan jerked his attention to Balladyn. “Did you know?”
“I wasn’t positive, but it was a consideration,” the former King of the Dark answered.
Bradach flattened his lips. “Bloody hell. This can’t be good.”
“When is it ever?” Dubhan asked sarcastically.
Eoghan drew in a deep breath and released it. “Rordan would have alerted us if Xaneth was there. Until he does, we find other areas where Xaneth might have gone.”
As he spoke, he let his gaze linger on each Reaper, stopping on Aisling. She was normally at ease under pressure, but she was restless and anxious. It had started the moment they found Usaeil’s home and discovered that Xaneth had been held there. Eoghan thought about asking her if there was more to things, but he wouldn’t have appreciated Cael doing that to him. So, Eoghan kept his thoughts to himself. For the time being. But he would keep a close watch on Aisling.
Everyone moved away, using their magic to search the ground and air, trying to discern where Xaneth was or had gone. Everyone, that is, except for Torin.
“What is it?” Eoghan asked.
“I’ve got a bad feeling.”
“We’ll find Xaneth.”
Torin shook his head of black hair when Eoghan spoke. “About Rordan.”
“He knows to call for us if he needs help.”
“The last time I had this feeling, Usaeil murdered Balladyn.”
Eoghan’s brows snapped together as he stared at Torin. “I never heard you say anything that day.”
“Because I didn’t. I kept it to myself because I wasn’t sure if it was about Balladyn or someone else.”
“Do you normally have these kinds of…feelings?”
Torin issued a quick shake of his head. “This is the second time. It might be nothing. I could be hyperaware because we’re looking for Xaneth.”
“And we both know that Rordan is dealing with the Fae Others,” Eoghan finished. He ran a hand over his mouth. “Fek.”
“I could go. Stay veiled and keep an eye on things. Rordan shouldn’t be alone against the Others.”