[This post is from Marin’s point of view.]
“Something’s coming,” Leinth said before Phelan could start explaining. My gaze snapped toward her and she met my eyes steadily, expression grim. “An old enemy.”
“Which one?” I asked slowly, surprised that I didn’t feel anything at the words. Slowly, I took a sip of coffee, watching, waiting.
“One of mine,” she said, as if that explained everything. “One of Seamus’s, too, I suspect.”
“How much time do we have?” I asked.
“I don’t know,” she said, then looked at Phelan. “Though it did explain the bad feeling that both Phelan and Tala had this morning, doesn’t it?”
“We’ve all been having them,” Hecate said, drawing her face away from Matt’s shoulder to look up at us. “For days, almost.” She exhaled, wiping her eyes and sitting up a little straighter. “I’m sorry. I didn’t—I didn’t mean to burst into tears like that.”
I smiled and shook my head. “It’s okay, Hecate. I think I cried a little bit, too, when I figured out I was pregnant and started telling people. It’s…it’s emotional.”
“It is,” she agreed softly. “It…it really, really is.” She seemed like she wanted to say more but chose not to. I drifted over, handed Matt the cup of coffee I’d poured for him.
“So there’s something coming,” Matt said quietly. “When?”
“I don’t know,” Leinth said. “I just know I can feel it.”
“But not what—who,” Phelan said, watching her carefully.
“Not yet,” Leinth said softly. “But I haven’t woken Seamus yet, either.”
I winced. “Are you going to have to?”
“Probably.” She studied me for a few seconds. “Unless you can sense something.”
I shook my head. “No,” I said softly. “And I haven’t seen anything, either.”
“Then I’d best go wake him,” Leinth said, a measure of regret in her voice. She gulped down some coffee and turned to go. I winced, scrubbing a hand over my face.
“Wait,” I said. “I could try the cards.”
“That’s a gate I’d rather not open, I think,” Leinth said, smiling sadly at me. “Stay here. I’ll be back.”
“Should we post extra watches?” Tala asked, looking at her. “Be ready for imminent attack?”
“We’re always ready for imminent attack,” Leinth said quietly. “The question is always who is about to come.”
She took her cup of coffee with her as she walked away.
