Free Blue Keltic Moon (Children of the Keltic Triad) by *lizzie starr Page A

her. His intellect was one of the many things she loved about him.
    Gowthaman looked briefly at his notes then began. “An hour or two should be all I need to determine the exact time when the veil will allow passage to the... world between worlds. We need to determine the incantations needed to part the veil for both the transition from here and when you are ready to return.”
    Coralie reached for the sketchbook. “There were a few chants Morghan discarded afore his battle against the elemental. I shall write them out for ye. Mayhap ’twill be of assistance.”
    Gowthaman smiled at Coralie, though Bree noticed how tightly he gripped his pen. “Thank you. I believe comparing those to other recorded incantations will bring us the correct words for our purpose.”
    “If you can get us there, that will be enough.” Breanna put more confidence into her words than she felt, and the look Gowthaman flashed her said she hadn’t fooled him. “Okay, maybe not enough, but it will be a start.”

Seven
    M orghan bent double, scrambling over low, jagged rocks. He peered around a narrow ledge into a level, open area at the top of a conical hill. Now that he’d found his mind... He shook his head fiercely and speared his fingers through his hair chasing the mist and forgetfulness continually attacking his consciousness.
    He would not lose himself again.
    A massive temple complex had once stood centered on the vast plain. He scanned the tumbled ruins. Surrounded by the remnants of smaller buildings, the arches and broken walls of the ancient temple reached majestically toward the gray sky.
    Empty. Morghan frowned. Wearied of tormenting him, the fire elemental had retreated to his temple.
    Sinking to sit behind a tall stone, Morghan supposed that retreat had been a mixed blessing. While ending the constant taunting and battle had been a relief to his exhausted soul, the lack of stimulation had led to his dulled mind and—
    The muffled crunching of feet upon stone rose from across the plateau. Morghan stilled his breathing and allowed his lips to stretch to a smile. The movement and stretch of unused muscles felt odd. He increased the width of his smile. Mayhap he would now treat the elemental to torments of his own.
    Morghan eased close to the ground and peered around the rock. Brandr Ur stomped up the narrow stairs toward the three-sided structure topping the temple. Once the elemental stood before the stone throne he’d claimed, he turned and stared in Morghan’s direction.
    The heat of Brandr Ur’s scrutiny touched Morghan. Awareness crawled across the back of his neck. The elemental tilted his head and lifted his hands chest high. A ball of flame burst into brightness between his palms. He held the churning gray fire and moved his hands to increase and decrease the size of his show of power.
    Morghan rose and stepped from behind the rocks. No need to hide his presence. The elemental had sensed him and now sought to disable his renewed spirit. Morghan tossed back his head and laughed.
    Brandr Ur answered with a growl and his flame ball burst into fiery fragments that smoked in the dry air.
    The physical touch of the elemental’s glare sparked memories of their first battle. Morghan fought the rise of anger and lifted one shoulder to ease the tension tightening his neck.
    He hadn’t been defeated yet. Neither had the elemental won. Both were trapped here in this gray world. Letting despondency take him had been a mistake. He would not again fall prey to meaningless taunting and threats.
    From the blatant show of power and the elemental’s posturing, Brandr Ur knew as well as he, a conjunction of moons approached. A conjunction signaling renewed battle.
    Morghan tossed off a cocky salute and turned his back on his enemy. No matter the cost to him, the fire elemental, Brandr Ur, would never leave the world between worlds.
    Such was his vow.
    ––––––––
    T elling her parents she was leading a rescue mission to the