Free Bridge of Mist and Fog by nikki broadwell Page A

came across her face as he talked about their common father and the past. He tried to make it as succinct as possible but who wouldn’t react badly to hearing about the man who orchestrated a war in the Otherworld? Airy’s mother knew Brandubh as well as anyone and if the woman had any idea that Fehin was involved with her daughter she’d be horrified as well.
    By the time they reached the stairwell, Airy’s face was as white as the walls. “What are you going to do?” she asked in a small voice.
    “I don’t know. All I know is I have to keep you safe.”
    The plan they came up with was risky and required Storm’s cooperation. “How will you get her to agree?” he asked after they’d gone over all their options.
    “I’ll think of something. You know if you get caught in my room you’ll be expelled.”
    Her wide-open eyes looked huge in her small face, making him long to hold her, but now was not the right time. “Being expelled is the least of my problems. You and I are supposed to be on some sort of mission that neither of us can figure out, and now my vile brother has come on the scene. If you get hurt because of me I’ll never forgive myself.”
    “It wouldn’t be your fault,” she said, laying a hand on his cheek.
    “Yes, it would.” He kissed her gently on the lips and then pointed up the stairs. “Go talk it over with the pirate and let me know what she says.”
    “The pirate?” Airy laughed. “That’s good, Fehin. I won’t tell you what she calls you.”
    Back in his dorm room Fehin stared at the floor. Brent was out for the moment, probably in a bar downtown drinking with his buddies. He’d invited Fehin along a couple of times but the idea of spending a minute longer than he had to with the guy did not appeal. Fehin was tired of listening to his ear-splitting music and watching him masturbate to pictures of naked women on the Internet. Yes, he knew all about masturbation now, had even tried it a few times. But he didn’t do it in front of Brent or anyone else. The guy was a disgusting beast.
    But Wolf was worse than that and dangerous as well. He would kill Airy without any remorse whatsoever. Thank the gods Wolf didn’t have powers. He had to figure out how to get rid of him. But after an hour of coming up with nothing he decided it was time to call on Gunnar.
    ***
    Fehin was in the woods where he’d taken Airy, trying, unsuccessfully, to call on the druid. The forest stood silent around him, an aura of waiting permeating the atmosphere. He’d been at it for twenty minutes before he felt a change in pressure, signaling the druid’s arrival. “What took you so long?” he demanded.
    “I’m not at your beck and call, Fehin. And I sincerely hope this is something important.”
    “Is Wolf being here in Milltown important enough for you?”
    Gunnar narrowed his eyes. “I suppose that comes under the category of compelling. So when did this happen?”
    “He told me he stowed away, so he’s been here as long as I have—doing what, I have no idea.”
    “Scoping things out, probably. What did he say he wanted?”
    Fehin scoffed. “What do you think? He wants his powers back. But the worst of it is he’s threatened Airy.”
    Gunnar raised his eyebrows. “Ah, so you’ve met.”
    Fehin pressed his lips together. “If you know anything about whatever this is we’re supposed to be doing you’d better tell me. I’m really pissed that you didn’t say anything before.”
    “Pissed? That’s a new word for you, isn’t it? I guess you’re learning the modern lingo.”
    “Don’t change the subject. I mean it, Gunnar. If Wolf hurts her, I’ll…”
    “You have powers and he doesn’t. How is he going to hurt her?”
    “Have you seen him lately? He’s a fucking brute.”
    “More language. You seem to be picking up all sorts of new words while you’re here.”
    Fehin watched him without speaking and then probed his mind, getting a glimpse of something he hadn’t seen before.