Chapter 238: Keeper Of The Gate

Liam sank back into his chair, all the pink in his cheeks draining away until I could count his freckles. "This can't be happening."

"Well, it is." Galleytrot returned to his place between us, sticking his huge head in Liam's space. "And you must listen now, Liam O'Dane. The fate of the world is in your hands."

Liam shook, but too his credit he didn't pull away. And as Galleytrot breathed on him I understood why. His hand reached out, slowly, fingers sliding into the silky, thick fur on the top of the dog's head. The moment he touched him, a ribbon of green magic slid between them, winding around Liam's wrist. I heard him sigh, saw him relax, slump really, into the wooden chair, his eyes locked on the dog's.

"Mom is going to kill me," he said. "She warned me to stay away from you." Guilty, he looked up at me. "I told her you wanted to meet Daddo and she lost it. Dragged me out of town. I finally convinced her to turn around, take me back. But she's afraid of something, Syd. And it h