[This post is from Matt’s point of view.]
“Sometimes it does more harm than good.”
They hadn’t heard the footsteps coming, and Matt startled and spun at the sound of Leinth’s voice, blinking as he saw Seamus there with her, pale-faced and moving carefully, but still on his feet. He opened his mouth to speak, only to close it quickly as Seamus cleared his throat.
“What’s the word?”
Gideon cleared his throat. “Dirae massing to the northwest. Figure in a dark cloak, apparently male, with them, then another, smaller figure. Daegan couldn’t get a good look.”
Seamus and Leinth exchanged a look. Her arm tightened around his waist where she held onto him. He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment.
“Orcus,” he said, his voice gravelly. “And probably Persephone.”
Matt’s blood ran cold and Hecate tensed.
“Persephone,” she whispered. “Why–?”
“It’s a long story,” Seamus said, his head dropping. “One we should be sitting for. One I need to be sitting for, honestly.”
“Right,” Hecate said, then shuddered. “Right, okay.”
Phelan stared at his cousin for a few seconds, then looked at Daegan and Gideon. “Thank you,” he murmured.
Both men nodded.
“I’ll stay out here until Paul comes back to take over the watch again,” Gideon said. “Go on. I’m sure someone will tell us the story soon enough.”
Phelan managed a weak smile and a nod. Matt just shivered, wrapping his arm around Hecate’s shoulders and squeezing her tightly against him.
Whatever story Seamus had, he was half terrified of what it might mean.
