prediction. He then told them to pass the word amongst the pack and to stay on alert. Ian knew he could count on the men to protect and defend the pond and their kinsmen.
They left through the front doors to go to the pond. Ian caught up with Rafe to let him know he had put the w ord out for everyone to be on guard.
Rafe just nodded. No need for mor e, he knew Ian would have taken care of passing along the information. He hoped after talking with Robert that they would have some answers.
Standing near the ponds edge, Rafe stood with eyes closed and concentrated on an image of Robert. The others stood behind him, waiting silently . As he focused on Robert’s image, he sent a mental request for him to come to the pond, urgen tly. They could all feel a slight change in the air as Robert appeared suddenly before them.
“Do you have any idea what I was doin g? I was just about to …” he stopped suddenly when he real ized there were others there .
He looked disheveled and they could all tell he’d just gotten out of bed. He had a kilt thrown on with his sword strapped to his back , and nothing else.
“A hem , well. Y ou called fo r me? Something urgent you say ?” Robert asked.
“ Looks like what you were doing is more urgent .” Devlin snickered, along with Chas e.
Mack cuffed Devlin o n the back of the head, rolling his eyes. “Grow up,” he said.
“Hey, I’m over a hundred years old!” Dev cried.
“Not in wolf years, you’re still a cub,” said Mack.
“Come up to the house. We need to talk,” Rafe said grimly.
Going back to the house, Rafe , Robert and Ian led the way. As all of them settle d into the den, Rafe asked Chas e to explain what his seer had told him.
“And those were her exact words, ‘Darkness surrounds the animal spirit’s path to the waters ?” asked Robert.
“Yes. I did try to get more information from her , but you know how seers are. She told me that was all she saw, but she would tell me immediately if she had more visions,” Chas e answered.
“We’ve heard no rumblings in Faerie. The dark fae have not enter ed our realm as far as we know. They cannot break through the veil . Entering the mortal realm would be more logical,” Robert stated.
“I believe they are coming here, since the seer specifically said ‘animal spirit’ in her prophecy . If it were another area, my guess is that Chas e’s seer would not have seen it. They must know of the pond and will try to use its magic,” said Rafe.
“I’m afraid you may be right, the problem is figuring out what they want to use the magic for, ” Robert said.
“ Until we know more, we’re all just speculating at this point,” said Rafe.
“I’m going back to Faerie. I need to inform the Q ueen and bring back some warriors to help watch for any unseelie showing up here . I assume you ’ll have room for my men? I will probably have two or three warriors with me. ”
“Of course , they can stay here. Tell the Q ueen I would appreciate any help from her,” Rafe stated.
The two men headed back to the pond to look around before Robert left. The forest was dark with the moon reflecting off the water. It was hard to imagine a war starting in this peaceful place.
“I hope to be back by mid morning , but you know how time differs there . Also, I see you’ve found yer mate, although you’ve not yet connected. Not my business, but I know you wolves. If you don’t claim her soon, you’ll be hell to live with,” Robert said gravely.
“I’m working on it. She’s human and has no idea about us. She’ll be coming here on Sunday , if not sooner, so tell your men . I don’t kno w what she’d think about seeing you guys walking through the woods in kilts carrying swords, ” Rafe said drolly.
Robert laughed , “She would probably think yer woods are haunted. You know how humans are. They believe in ghosts, but