“I’ll tell you a legend I’ve heard of three stars created by three gods—moon goddesses, they were. Or are, depending on where you’re standing. They made these stars as gifts for a new queen. Just a baby, say some legends, while others . . .” He glanced at Riley.
“Others say young girl. Kind of an Arthurian riff—a true queen chosen at the end of another’s reign through a test of sorts.”
“There you have it. These sister goddesses wanted a unique and lasting gift for the queen they knew would rule for the good, who would hold peace softly in her hand as she did. So each made a star, one of fire, one of ice, one of water, all brilliant and filled with strength and magic and hope, which can be the same.”
“On a beach—white sand,” Sasha added.
He continued to eat, but watched her carefully. “Some say.”
“There’s a palace, silver and shining, on a high hill, and the moon’s white and full, beaming over the water.”
“You’ve seen this?”
“I dreamed it.”
“Which can be the same,” Bran repeated.
“They weren’t alone on the beach.”
“They weren’t, no, not alone. Another like them, but as unlike as white to black, wanted what they’d made, and what the queen had, which was power over worlds. The three knew her for what she was, knew as they tossed the stars toward the moon, and the other struck out at them with her dark, they would need to protect what they’d created, and all that lived.
“The stars would fall,” he continued, “the other had seen to that, and she could wait. So the three used what they had to see that when the stars fell, they would fall away from one another, as their full power is only reached when together. They would fall in secret places, hidden and safe until the time came for them to be lifted out, brought together, and taken to the next new queen.”
“It’s a pretty story, but—”
“Not all of it,” Riley interrupted. “Give her the other side.”
“If the other takes possession of the stars, all the doors on all the worlds will unlock. The dark, the damned, the destructive will spring free and devour all they can. Human worlds, and others as vulnerable, would not survive it.”
“Worlds.”
Smiling, he topped off her wine. “Do you ever wonder at the arrogance of men who think they alone exist in the universe?”
“Most native cultures and elemental faiths know better,” Riley commented.
“You’re a scientist.”
“I’m a digger,” she told Sasha. “And I’ve dug up enough to know we’ve never been alone. There’s a little more to the legend.”
“A bit,” Bran allowed.
“Those who seek it risk death—natch—but if they prevail, they save the worlds, which is pretty important. And each will find their own fortune.”
“Both of you believe this.”
“I believe it enough. I’ve been looking for them, off and on, for about seven years.”
“Twelve,” Bran told her. “On and off as well.”
“It’s been kind of a hobby for me, until now. Now?” Riley polished off the last of her wine. “I think it’s become my freaking mission.” She set the glass down, leaned toward Sasha. “Are we in this—the three of us?”
“Six. It has to be the six. I don’t think we’ll get far until it is.”
“Okay, but that doesn’t mean we can’t start looking.”
“Where?”
“The mountains to the north, a lot of caves there. That might be a good place to start.”
“How do we get there?”
“I’ve got a jeep. That’ll get us somewhere. Got hiking boots?”
“Yes. I do a lot of hiking at home.”
“How about you, Irish?”
“Not to worry.”
“Great. So we’ll meet up in the morning, head out, what, about eight?”
Bran winced. “A morning person, are you?”
“I’m what I need to be.”
Sasha walked back with them to the hotel in a half daze. Too much wine, too much travel, too much stimulation. She’d sleep, just sleep, and sort the rest out in the morning, she told herself.
“What floor?” Bran asked when they stepped into the elevator.
“Third.”
“So am I.”
“And I make three on three,” Riley said.
“Naturally.” With a sigh, Sasha leaned against the wall, dug out her key.
When they got out, turned in the same direction, Sasha all but felt Fate’s sticky fingers pinching the back of her neck. She stopped at her door. “My room.”
“I’m across the hall from you,” Bran said, smiling now.
“Of course you are.”
“And right next door.” Riley strolled down to the door beside Sasha’s.
“Where else would you be?” she mumbled, and unlocked her door.
“Night, kids!” Riley sang out.
“Good night. Thanks for dinner,” she said to Bran, and closed the door.
Bran walked into his own room, switched on the lights. The evening, he thought, had certainly been more entertaining than he’d anticipated. He’d intended to wander out, maybe have a drink, take a solitary walk around to let himself absorb where he’d been driven to go.
Then the women.