Jazz stopped short. “Graely? Graely spoke to you?” Irrational fear shook Jazz to her core. This mysterious Dark Prince had sought out Frankie.
“Aye, he did. Jazz, he isn’t like his brothers.”
Jazz knew she had to control herself or Frankie would stop confiding in her. She had to hear what the child had to say and try to guide her, but it was hard when every inch of her wanted to yell and tell her to stay away from him.
“Well, I did witness him saving a mother and child, so I agree that there is more to this Dark Prince than we know. However, I don’t like that he visits you alone,” Jazz said.
Frankie eyed her. “Hmm, I don’t think he would ever harm me. Quite the opposite Jazz. Do you trust me to know such things?”
Jazz cautioned herself. “Yes, I trust you. Do you trust me as an adult to try and guide you and keep you safe?”
“Oh I do, Jazz, I do! Ye be the only one who has never treated me like just a baby. And ye really listen to me. Do ye think he means us harm, this Graely?”
“In truth my gut says no, but my sense of self preservation puts me on guard. Do you understand that? Do you think it fair that we not make up our minds about him until we know more?”
Frankie considered her words for a moment and then hugged her fiercely. “I do, but Jazz, what are we going to do? M’da is out there. Trevor is out there. How can we bring them back safely?”
Jazz just hugged her. “Not sure yet, sweetie pie.” She sighed and added, “but I tell you what, nothing will happen to your father or to Trevor. They are both too smart and besides, they are forewarned. They are ready for Pestale and his tricks.”
“No, they aren’t,” Frankie cried. “Don’t ask me how I know, I just do. Pestale has something he is planning and it will surprise them.”
The same feeling had been flowing through Jazz’s veins. She had an awful premonition about this thing. A vision of only one thing—that it wasn’t going to go well.
However, she had to look after Frankie. The child had been through so much. She just couldn’t let her worry and fret, but Frankie would see right through it if she tried to lie. “I am not going to whitewash this for you, Frankie girl. I love you too much to tell you everything is going to be fine and that they have a decent backup plan. I don’t think that at all. However, I will tell you that I do think your da and my Trevor are not easily beaten. I do think that Pestale won’t be able to best them, so that is where we are.”
“Thank ye, Jazz. I can always count on ye to not treat me like I’m a stick of wood,” Frankie said solemnly. “Ye know what?”
“What?” Jazz smiled widely.
“We will be their back up plan.” Frankie suddenly smiled.
Jazz touched her nose. “You mean I will be their back up plan. For all of your abilities, you are still a young girl.”
“That may be so, Jazmine Decker.” Frankie mimicked Trevor’s voice and laughed. “But there are things about me you have yet to learn.” With which she giggled at herself.
Jazz pulled on Frankie’s long lock of gold lit auburn hair and sighed heavily. Something was off in the atmosphere. She could feel it and what was more, it was getting stronger. Something huge was breathing fire. What the hell was it?
Was it just the unknown that had her off kilter?
The sky was as always in Tir, captivatingly blue and cloudless. And yet, she saw a blot of something high above. It wasn’t really there. It was a vision in her head. A flying something…
“What is it Jazz?” Frankie asked wide-eyed and alert.
“Nothing sweetie,” Jazz answered.
Frankie stared into the sky. “No ye know better. I feel it too. M’Fios feels it. M’Fae feels it…oh Jazz, the Sluagh in me is shaking. Something is coming!”
They stood looking up, but were unable to discern anything out of the ordinary and Jazz said, “Let’s get back to the palace.” She pulled Frankie close and shifted.
Chapter Twenty-One
TREVOR SHIFTED ONTO the grassy slope of the Lower Lake With his Death Sword ready he looked at Deimne who had shifted to stand beside him.
Deimne was not built like a warrior, but he was muscular and Trevor knew he was very capable. He watched as Deimne drew in his wings and folded his arms across his chest.
“Where do you think he is Deimne?”
“I don’t think they have shifted in, but I think I shall watch your back for no doubt he means to have Hordly come up behind us.”