“You sure?” Chase asked, but he was already reaching for the champagne bottle.
Audrey just looked relieved.
“Back in a bit.” Logan went through the French doors onto the veranda and descended the steps to the path that would take him to the beach.
For a midwinter night, the shore was strangely windless. Waves languidly reached for the shore only to draw slowly back again. Even without the wind, cold air bit into Logan’s skin, and his breath crystallized in front of his face.
The notion of summoning Bosque had been playing out in Logan’s mind for some time. He couldn’t believe that contact between Conatus and the Harbinger had exclusively been through an intercessor. The more Logan learned about the origins of the Keepers, the more convinced he became of that. If Eira’s relationship with Bosque had been only about opening the Rift so that her followers could access the Nether’s magic, Logan might have been persuaded otherwise. But knowing that Eira and Bosque were Logan’s own great-grandparents made it seem impossible that there had been any real distance between them.
Logan took his shoes and socks off and walked to the edge of the water. The touch of the waves on his bare skin was like cold fire, but that was part of Logan’s plan. Spellwork relied so much on intention. Logan knew he couldn’t hesitate, couldn’t doubt his ability to summon Bosque. Even Logan’s fear had a purpose in this magic. While he couldn’t succumb to it, Logan could channel his dread into the spell—making it part of his intent; acknowledging and moving beyond that fear signified Logan’s determination and reflected the strength of his will.
At least he hoped so.
Drawing a knife from his coat pocket, Logan used the blade to reopen the wound on his palm. He watched crimson droplets fall into the sea foam at his feet.
Logan closed his eyes, willing Bosque to appear. He supposed some incantation or another existed, but he’d decided against hunting for one in the books he’d retrieved from Rowan Estate. Logan had learned how to invoke dark spirits that way, and all he’d earned himself was a surly Guardian spirit guide.
No. This time it’s about pure intent. My will and my will alone.
“I must confess, Logan.” The low voice was so close that Logan lurched sideways. “I didn’t believe you had it in you.”
Bosque stood, or rather hovered, a foot away from Logan. He appeared to be walking on the water, but Logan knew that while Bosque was here, he was also not here—whether to call him an apparition or a projection, Logan wasn’t sure.
He also didn’t know how to respond to Bosque’s comment.
No hesitation.
“I thought it best if I spoke with you.” Logan forced himself to speak with confidence, though he felt little. “I have no doubt you already know why I’ve summoned you here.”
With a shrug, Bosque said, “You regret the loss of your power.”
“I do . . . ,” Logan replied. “But it’s more than that.”
“How so?” Bosque’s casual tone was more chilling than the waves that numbed Logan’s bare feet.
Logan drew himself upright, looking directly into Bosque’s eyes. “We are kin.”
A smile graced Bosque’s lips. “Ah. You’ve delved into your past.”
“I have.” Logan nodded. “And I’m taking steps to make amends for my great folly.”
“I’m aware of that,” Bosque said. “You’ve made good use of the wolf. Another unexpected success on your part.”
Logan bowed his head. “I know I’ve been a great disappointment to you in the past.”
“More than a disappointment, Logan.” At Bosque’s sudden anger the water beneath his feet became turbulent. “You violated the blood oath, the sacred vow taken by your great-grandmother that gave me passage into this world. Your legacy is sullied.”
Logan was silent for several minutes.
He had to be brave or all of this meant nothing.
“And yet you’re here,” Logan said, raising his eyes to meet Bosque’s.
Bosque gazed at Logan and then began to laugh. “You do have some of her mettle after all.”
Logan could only assume Bosque meant Eira. “I’m glad to hear it.”
“And you’ve navigated the obstacles I put in your way with competence,” Bosque added.
“That you put in my way . . .” Logan frowned. “I see. I take it the wolf was a test?”
“Renier proved a serviceable messenger, but I knew he’d resist the task, presenting you with an obstacle.” Bosque smiled. “I admire persistence, and I needed to know if you were serious . . . or just playing at power, as the boy I knew would have.”
Logan cringed at the reproach. He wondered if Bosque would ever regard him as worthy of forgiveness. “I was arrogant and foolish, but I’ve changed.”
“It’s not that easy, Logan,” Bosque said. “You betrayed me. I haven’t forgotten. I’m not inclined to ally myself with one so treacherous.”
Logan dropped to his knees. Icy water soaked through his jeans, making him so cold, he didn’t know how long he could bear it. “I beg your forgiveness. I didn’t understand who you truly are. What I did . . . it was the worst mistake I’ve ever made.”
“Words,” Bosque said. “Words are not enough.”
“Tell me what to do.” Logan bowed his head, hoping to appear obsequious but not wretched. “Whatever you require to prove my loyalty, it’s done.”
“Make an offering,” Bosque told him. “If I deem it worthy, you will once again be in my favor.”
“An offering?” Logan twitched, feeling uncertain. Bosque wouldn’t tell him what to offer, that was obvious, but Logan didn’t know how he was meant to determine what would be worthy.
Glancing up and meeting disapproval in Bosque’s gaze, Logan quickly said, “I will make an offering worthy of you.”
“We’ll see.” Bosque reached out as if to touch Logan’s face.
Though Logan never felt the contact of Bosque’s hand on his skin, a sudden warmth surged through his body, driving away the terrible cold of the winter sea.
Then Bosque was gone and Logan was standing beside his shoes. His feet and legs were completely dry, as if he’d been watching the waves at a distance and had never touched the water.