Nick shrank his Malachai sword down and returned it to his pocket. “How long have you been trapped here?”

Aeron shrugged. “Time has long lost all meaning to me. But not to you. Come, boyo, and I’ll take you to the Nemed.”

Nick narrowed his gaze. “How do you know about that?”

A slow, charming grin curved his lips. “I may be weakened, but I do still have some of me powers, and I was just in your body, privy to your thoughts and mission.”

Oh, there was that.

Lerabeth finally swooped down to join them. “I am to take him. ’Tis my mission and duty, púca, not yours!”

Nick just loved how she couldn’t help with the fight, but could interfere with the help. How typical was that?

Arching an arrogant brow, Aeron stared at the bird. “I know this realm better than anyone.” He returned his silvery gaze to Nick. “But you have to keep faith in me, Malachai. If you doubt me at all, for even an instant, I will vanish. Those are the laws of me existence. No matter what happens or what you see, you must continue to believe that I’m leading you to your destination. Do you understand?”

“Got it.”

“Then follow me and ignore everything else.” He glared meaningfully at the bird. “Especially the barking dogs who are trying to distract you from your goal.”

“I’m not a dog, puck.”

“I’m not really a púca, bird. I was born the son of the Morrígan and the Dagda.”

Bemused by their banter, Nick did have one thing that concerned him about Aeron. “Before we start, can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“Why are you helping me?”

He glanced away, but not before Nick caught the bitter sadness in his shimmery gaze. “You freed Xevikan when no Malachai ever has. For that kindness, I be owing you.”

Nick scowled at the absolute last thing he’d ever expected Aeron to say. “How do you know about that?”

“You are the Malachai. Had you drained him and returned him here to this hell to suffer more for that which he didn’t do, he’d have immediately come home to me. And that he didn’t.”

Okay, take that earlier statement back. That was the absolute last thing Nick ever expected Aeron to say.

His eyes widened in complete and utter shock. “Oh.”

Aeron laughed at his gaping expression. “We are brothers and friends, Malachai. Nothing more.”

“Ah … Gotcha. Whatever you say.”

Looking around at the dark forest, Aeron sighed warily. “Here, family and friend are hard to come by. When you are lucky enough to find one, you hold on with both hands and treasure him or her with everything you are. I hope you will appreciate my brother and give him the regard he’s due.”

“I’m trying. But he doesn’t always make it easy.”