“You want all of us to go to Arkansas,” the Kobold said, followed by a long sigh of disgust.
“We will return there, but not all at once. We must send Maggie there to collect her family.”
Aphrodite gasped. “Alone?”
“No, she will return with—”
“Aether is the only answer,” I said, cutting Wakinyan off as I felt a presence enter the circle at the top of Cnoc Aine Hill.
Wakinyan wasn’t privy to our code word, but he stopped talking. Caorann picked up the clue.
“I’m not teaching any of you how to create it,” she snapped. “Maggie and I can defeat them without proliferating the danger any further.”
“There is no choice, Caorann. If you do not select me, the Kobold are leaving the Coalition. I will not risk my clan without some insurances,” Volimar countered.
“You?” Zeus snarled. “We might as well go to battle armed with dandelions. I am more skilled—”
“You are the last Fae I would trust with Aether, Zeus, Father of the Gods.” Volimar threw his head back and laughed.
A frown accentuated the look of disgust on Caorann’s face. “Neither of you has the skill for it.”
Wakinyan seemed to catch on. He knew we were being watched after all. “If Bastien refuses, then there is but one choice. You shall teach me the secret to Aether.”
The Senate, as they called themselves, erupted into chaos, with clans threatening to withdraw if individual elders were not each promised the power. Their acting job was incredible—although, I knew if things went badly, this would be a preview of what would actually happen. Caorann and Bastien tried to calm them for several minutes, just like one would expect them to do. Eventually Bastien threw his hands in the air and transformed to Naeshura. Caorann shook her head and growled, “It is clear to me that I cannot risk sharing the secret with any of you.” She shifted as well, leaving the remaining elders bickering at the top of the hill.
As the arguing raged on, the presence came closer to me. Chloe was studying me, so I gave her plenty of sad looks and jerky body movements to play back for Ozara. Acting like I was upset and disgusted with the elders, I turned and trudged down the hill. Chloe followed me—she was easier to read this time. She seemed to be more in control. I could smell dinner through the open window, and watched Candace moving around the kitchen. I expected Chloe to go to her like she always did.
Something was wrong.
Inside the cottage, the only time the presence got close to Candace was when I joined her in the kitchen. Somehow I knew I was the focus of its attention and not Candace. In fact, it seemed to ignore Gavin and Ronnie as well. They’re planning something—something involving me. That’s the only reason Chloe would ignore Candace.
“I’ll be back, I need to talk to Sara,” I said.
“Want me to go with you?” Ronnie asked. “I’m bored.”
“No, I need to do this alone. Maybe you could help Candace?”
“Bleh, I guess,” he said, teasing me.
Again, I expected Chloe to peel away and remain with Candace like she had in the past, but she didn’t. The presence followed me outside and across the road. When I cut across the field, it did too. This isn’t Chloe. As soon as the thought crossed my mind, I knew it was true. My heart sped up and the bottom of my stomach seemed to drop to the ground. Oh my god, is Chloe dead? All the moisture in my mouth disappeared and I felt a little light-headed. That’s the only reason she’d be using someone else.
Enduring a moment when I didn’t have any idea what to do, I stopped moving and just stood in the field. Sara approached me, her bright blue eyes fixed on mine. “Maggie, why are you upset?”
I couldn’t answer. If I told her then Ozara would know I could sense the projection. If we were going to use the intrusions to our advantage, Ozara would have to believe what she was seeing and that meant she had to believe she was getting away with it. The images of Candace learning her family was dead rocked my thoughts, making it impossible to come up with anything to tell Sara.
“I know how upset you are about the situation,” Sara whispered. Oh god, did I let any of that leak out of my mind—please Sara, stop talking. You’re going to blow it.
“I’m…okay.” Weak, pathetic, think Maggie—change the subject.
“I know you’re not. Please extend your barrier.”
I connected with Air and an instant later the outside world was cut out—all except for the three of us. The presence slipped through the shield.
“Maggie, I know the debate is disturbing…”
Oh, thank god. She’s not going to talk about Candace’s family.
“It’s completely infuriating. Bastien’s right, Ozara and Zarkus will be trying to draw the Coalition into a trap, or drive a wedge that splinters the group—they’ve already got a plan. But what’s pissing me off is that they don’t even need a plan. They…” I said pointing to the top of Cnoc Aine, “…are doing a stellar job of destroying any chance we have without Ozara’s help.”
“Do not lose faith,” Sara said.
“I won’t, but I am afraid we’ll run out of time.” The presence slipped through the Air barrier and then disappeared. I waited for a few seconds with my hand raised, searching for the connection. “It’s gone,” I said.
Sara nodded. “What’s really wrong?”
“That wasn’t Chloe Fontaine. It was someone else.”
“Are you sure?”
“Ninety to ninety-five percent—that means…” Once again, the air left my lungs.
“Don’t jump to conclusions. Her family may be fine. Candace doesn’t need the additional stress right now.”
“There’s no way I can keep it from her—she reads me like a book.”
“Then you might be better off to avoid her,” she said.
“Can’t. She expects me at dinner in an hour—she demands it.”
Sara shifted her eyes to the cottage. “She and Sean have a powerful attraction for one another. I believe she will be focused on other things.”
“Let me guess—heart rates go up?”
Sara’s heart-shaped lips pulled to the side in a crooked grin. “Pupil dilation, the release of pheromones, breathing patterns, raised voices, and yes, accelerated heart rates. I’ve seen it millions of times—and that’s not hyperbole.”
“That sucks.”
Sara frowned. “Why?”
“He’s stuck here. She wants to go back to Arkansas.”
“If he wants, I will see to it that he can leave.”
I shook my head. “So that your clan can replace him with his sister? He’s more afraid of that than anything else.”
“There are others who can take his place. His sister is like your brother—she will not learn a connection to any of the elements. There are others we could use.”
“I don’t know much about Dana, but I’m under the impression that she doesn’t take advice from anyone but Dana.”
“She will listen to Caorann.”
I hadn’t thought about asking Caorann, but Sara was right. Dana probably would listen to her. So I nodded. “Sara, Mom said to say ‘Thank you.’”
The pink tint in Sara’s cheeks became darker, and spread across her face as she diverted her eyes.
“And I need to apologize to you,” I said.
“No, Maggie, you don’t.”
“But you’re the reason I’m here, and the reason that I met Gavin.”
“Maggie. You have a right to be angry about what I did—a good outcome never justifies an unethical and immoral means, no matter how much we want it to. I knew that when I agreed to help Ozara, and I knew that when I toyed with your emotions. It’s fortunate that my meddling turned out the way that it did, and knowing how it turned out, I can’t say that I’d do differently if tasked with the same options. I’m the one who should apologize to you, not the other way around. I do not apologize for your being here, or for the love you and Gavin share, but I apologize for betraying your trust by hiding
those things from you for so long. Anything, Maggie. I’d do anything for you to make it right between us.”
“I accept your apology, but I only ask for one thing—and it’s totally up to you. Would you mind changing your eye color back—I miss your dark eyes. You just don’t seem the same with blue eyes.”
“Dana will not like it, but yes.”
“What do you mean, Dana won’t like it. Who cares?”
“The blue eyes and blonde hair are a public sign of solidarity with the Sidhe Clan. It is old fashioned and nonsensical, but in a way, it’s similar to a human wearing a uniform.”
“Oh, I didn’t realize. You don’t have to get yourself in trouble with the Sidhe on my account.”
Her eyes darkened to brown and then finally they went nearly ink black. I relaxed when her familiar eyes found my face. “They will get over it,” she said. “Your mother is a very special person.”
I felt my goofy smile take shape. “Yeah, she’s pretty amazing. She’s starting to show—I’d give about anything to meet my little brother. I would give anything to know he’ll grow up protected.”
I expected Sara to console me, to tell me that there is hope that I would be around to make sure of it. Instead the tiny dimple formed in the porcelain skin of her cheek. “I’m afraid to ask.”
Somewhere behind her eyes there was a spark. “I think both of your brothers have excellent odds of being just fine.”
“What does that mean? Come on, Sara, full disclosure.”
“Your mother shares your gift—not to the same level you do, but she can learn how to work with the elements—if she chooses. Both of your parents had the gift.” I forced my mouth shut. “I never told Ozara and she never asked—in fact, you’re the first to know.”
“I have to tell Billy, or Tadewi…you’re telling me because you don’t think I’ll survive—tell me the truth.”
“I’m telling you because I believe it will give you peace of mind in the event you don’t survive.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“It’s my honest answer—I’m not gifted with foresight, and because of that, I am not willing to speculate about something I do not know.”
“You do have intuition, just like I do.”
“Maggie, your intuition has proven to be far more developed than mine. Not even a month ago we stood not three hundred meters from this very spot and I told you I didn’t believe the clans would ever agree to fight together. You have proven me wrong. I’m afraid my intuition is worthless. Now, I think you should probably head back to the cottage and share a meal with your friends. Logic tells me that this will be your last night at Cnoc Aine.”
“Yeah, Wakinyan didn’t get to finish explaining his plan, but he didn’t need to. I’ll be heading back to Arkansas very soon. Why don’t you come with me—I miss you so much. Candace is making a roast.”
She shook her head and crinkled her small straight nose. “I can smell it from here—I don’t consume animal flesh, you know.”
“Please, I’ve never seen you eat anything. You can just do what you used to do at lunch—stare at a full plate. But it might not hurt Candace’s feelings as much if you make the food disappear off the plate when she’s not looking—fake chewing.”
A sigh of exasperation puffed through her dark pink lips. “Fine, but I’m not putting charred flesh in my mouth—that’s repulsive.”
Candace busied herself with finishing up dinner—she’d made enough food for a dozen people. She didn’t notice the subtle clues that something was wrong, and I knew those clues were written all over my face. While she worked, I concentrated on Ronnie, Sara, and Gavin, trying to purge from my mind the concerns I had for her family. She never had time to notice—Sean arrived moments later. I felt him coming up the road, tentative steps followed by a pause, and then a sudden burst that carried him through the front gate and to the door. Another excruciating pause at the door was followed by a light knock. Poor guy. He was a bundle of nerves.
Candace straightened the red cotton blouse she’d been wearing for three days, and fussed with her auburn tresses. Without asking, Sara eliminated the dark circles under her eyes. By the time Candace reached the door, she looked like she normally did. Thin, but radiant and beautiful. Sean moved uncomfortably past the threshold, but it was clear Sara’s makeover had the desired effect—I couldn’t have peeled Sean’s eyes off Candace with a spatula. The same was true of her eyes on him.
He was clean-shaven, revealing the angular shape of his jaw and the thick masculine lips set below a straight nose. He nodded and fought with a long lock of brown hair that kept slipping from his ear and flopping across the smooth plane of his forehead. A clean, cream-colored Henley clung to the wiry muscles in his arms and chest, accentuating just how narrow his waist was. Wow, all cleaned up—Sean’s hot.
When we crowded around the tiny oak table, Candace blushed under his intense stare. Ronnie smiled broadly and cleared his throat. Sean looked over at him and frowned. I felt it coming, but did nothing to stop Candace’s foot from making contact with Ronnie’s shin. He jumped and sucked in a quick breath. “Ow…”
Sean studied Ronnie’s face.
“Sorry, um, hit my knee,” Ronnie said, fighting another smile.
“You should be more careful,” Candace cooed.
“Sure. Roast?” He held out his hand.
“Here you go,” she said, handing the chipped platter to Sean while giving Ronnie her patented look—smirk, eyebrow raised.
“Don’t mind if I do,” Sean replied.
I think I heard Candace sigh when the Irishman flashed his handsome smile for the first time. They locked eyes. The mutual stare caught my attention, and they held it for so long I had to look away. It made me feel like I was watching them make out.
TWENTY
BIRDS OF A FEATHER
Sara was right after all—we would share no more meals in Ireland. We’d just finished pieces of blackberry cobler when Caorann dropped in. The smile Sean had worn for two hours disappeared when she materialized across the room from us, flowing blonde hair, sapphire eyes. “Please forgive my intrusion,” she said looking directly at him. He seemed completely lost for words.
“No, it’s fine. We’re done…” Candace said as she got up and began retrieving the mismatched plates with dark purple stains and remnants of crumbs.
“Please stay,” Coarann said, her Ozark accent just a little stronger. “This affects all of you—would you happen to have another piece?”
Candace smiled and went to get it while Caorann settled at the table between Sean and me. He sat up straight in his chair and dropped his eyes to his fidgeting hands. Caorann slipped her thin silky fingers around his calloused ones. “Sean, you really don’t need to be so nervous around me—any of us. I apologize.”
“Um, for what?” he said.
“For the uneasy tone in your voice. That my clan’s treatment of you has left you feeling the way you do.” She let go of his hand as Candace slid a piece of cobbler across the table and handed Caorann a fork.
“I could smell this baking from the top of the hill,” Caorann said before putting a piece in her mouth. She chewed twice and then sat back in the chair and closed her eyes. “Superb,” she mumbled through closed lips.
Candace’s face lit up.
Caorann swallowed. “Just superb. The reason I intruded is to let you know that we’ll be leaving Ireland. The clan leaders—Zeus, Wakinyan, Poseidon, Avery, Freya, Volimar, Bastien, Ostara, and Dana—they have agreed to a plan. No one else knows what that is, not even the rest of the elders, and I’ll ask that you repeat nothing I’m about to tell you.”
“Leaving?” Candace asked.
“Yes. In a few hours. The six of you will travel with Wakinyan back to North America—you must do it quickly and without drawing any attention.”
“That’s all you’re telling us?” I asked.
“At this time—you must trust me. Wakinyan will explain when you’re in transit.” br />
“Did you say the six of us?” Sean asked. I hadn’t bothered to count bodies at the table and until he asked. I didn’t realize she meant he would be travelling, too.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t ask. When we leave, it will not be safe for you to remain here by yourself. With your Air ability, I thought you might like to help protect your friends.”
He was silent for a moment, shifting his gaze to each person at the table until he and Candace locked eyes. “When will they want me back?”
“That is your decision,” Caorann said. “We don’t expect you to come back, but if you want to, you can come back any time you like. Really, what would you like?”
He shook his head, trying futilely not to stare at Candace. “Don’t know. I never thought I’d have much of a choice.”
Sara and I exchanged a smile—of course Candace noticed.
“Why don’t you think about it for a little while. It’s nine o’clock now—they’re leaving at midnight if you’d like to go.”
“Come with us,” Ronnie said.
Sean’s warm blue eyes held a spark I hadn’t seen before. I thought it was the spark of hope. “I don’t know anything but this.”
“Then that settles it…” Candace said. “It’s time you change that.”
“And who will they have watch over this place,” he said, shifting his eyes to Caorann.
“No one, until this is over. If it ends well, we will recruit a new Steward if you’d prefer not to return. We will compensate you and your family for the land.”
“My sister won’t have to take my place?”
“No, she will not.”
“Do you feel like taking a walk?” Candace asked. “I’ve been in here all day and would like to be outside for a while…before we have to leave.”
Sean nodded and followed Candace across the room.
“Yeah, he’s going with us,” Ronnie said, when the door closed behind them. “So, how are we going…you said Wakinyan, please don’t tell me…”
Gavin slowly turned his head, dimples in full force. Ronnie turned white, then green. “There’s a perfectly good helicopter just down the hill.”