The moment the Gate's power released the seal between worlds, I threw my power at it and created my own.
I think I was more shocked it worked than I was relieved.
They were clearly visible, the horde of the Sluagh, pressing against my magic, already worming their way to the edges, looking for a break, a chink in my armor, a place I was weak. But with Liam's Keeper blood tied to the barrier I'd erected, the Gate responded by welcoming my shield and feeding it with its own magic.
For now.
"Now what?" His voice was a little high-pitched, palm sweating in mine.
I wished I had a clue. "Galleytrot, we need Fergus!"
The faces of the Unseelie gathered behind the barrier were coming into view. I wanted to look away, afraid of what I might see. But Shaylee forced me to focus, to look on her people, and I realized then that as evil as we humans might perceive them to be, they were beautiful to her.