The Grey God - Page 36/164

"It's my duty to expel you. As soon as I figure out how, I will," he said simply.

"Ah, I see. And Others? Will you treat them with the same temporary tolerance?"

"No. Them I don't like."

"Good. That will make this a fruitful conversation," the Watcher said. "I need to know where the Others are and what they're doing. I believe Damian has a Hunter among his men, but the White God refuses to speak to me anymore."

"I can find them," Darian said, watching the Watcher's reaction closely.

"Others?"

"And Watchers."

At these words, the Watcher's smile faded. Its green gaze turned intent, and Darian waited for it to speak again.

"If you really can find Others, you must reveal their locations to me. We will remove them from the planet," the Watcher said.

"I could," Darian agreed. "Tell me, Watcher, if I am the Gatekeeper, what gate am I guarding?"

"The one between worlds."

"Show me."

"Will you help us rid the earth of the Others?"

"Sure."

The Watcher held out his hand. Darian took it. They Traveled, and Darian opened his eyes in a place where it was dark and cold.

"There are now two places on earth where we can enter from the immortal world. This is ours. The Others have their own," the Watcher explained. "Once we are here, we can Travel at will."

"I take it the portals can never be closed, or you wouldn't have showed me where it is," Darian guessed, looking around. His eyes adjusted to the darkness. Opposite the entrance, he saw an area that shimmered darker than the rest of the cave. Snow crunched underfoot as he moved closer to the portal.

"Correct," the Watcher said. "Before your battle with the Other in Ireland, there was only one gateway open. You failed to close it, and now there are two. We can't monitor the Others moving in and out of the mortal world. Does that mean anything to you?"

"I have two gateways to guard. I can do it," Darian said.

"The Grey God cannot guard two gateways. The war will spread."

"Do not underestimate me, Watcher."

"Perhaps you need some motivation to do what you should. This can be arranged."

"Or you could tell me what you really want from me," Darian said, not liking the words. Watchers had a reputation in the immortal world as being manipulators. They'd left the human world alone until several months ago.