{"id":1314,"date":"2012-07-20T00:00:47","date_gmt":"2012-07-20T04:00:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=1314"},"modified":"2012-07-19T20:12:44","modified_gmt":"2012-07-20T00:12:44","slug":"winter-chapter-16-06","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=1314","title":{"rendered":"Winter &#8211; Chapter 16 &#8211; 06"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cWhy is he looking for you?\u201d<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Ter\u00e9zia asked, looking at her sidelong.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Aoife shook her head.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cOpen the door,\u201d she ordered, starting to walk toward them.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Gray just stared at her.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cWith those things out there?\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cCariocecus likely fought them off, or is at the very least holding them at bay.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Either I\u2019m wrong and they\u2019re not what I thought they were, or he\u2019s responsible for our current safety.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Either way, regardless of how I may personally feel about the bastard, he deserves to at least have me show my face\u2014if he\u2019s come all this way to just talk to me.\u201d<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">She stared at Gray for an extra second.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cWalk out with me, stand behind my left shoulder.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Don\u2019t ask why, just do it.\u201d<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Her gaze flicked to Wat.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cTake the other gun from Kes.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I want those shotguns holding the doorway in case anyone tries anything funny.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Don\u2019t let anything through to the interior.\u201d<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">She glanced up at the ceiling above, where Elton and the kids were sheltering on attic-like second floor.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cWe have to protect what we have from what\u2019s outside, no matter what.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Now open the damn door.\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cI can feel you in there, m\u2019lady!\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Wat looked at Gray.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The bigger man just sighed and shook his head.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cDo it.\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Aoife watched as they lifted the bench clear of the door and moved it to one side.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Wat claimed one of the shotguns as Aoife advanced on the doors and threw them open.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">She marched out into the gloom of the night like she owned the whole damn world, Gray falling into step behind her, one step over, one step back.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Ten feet from the door stood a god of war, dressed in a black cloak edged with crimson and gold.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">His amber eyes reflected the light that streamed out into the night from the open lodge doors.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">He flashed a bright white smile at Aoife.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Her stomach lurched.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">You\u2019re stronger than him, better than him.\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Hold it together and you\u2019ll all come through this in one piece.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">These people are <\/span><\/em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">your<\/span><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> charges.\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Don\u2019t fail them.<\/span><\/em><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">She summoned every last ounce of her control, forcing her fear and loathing to become strength fuel it.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cCariocecus.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To what do I owe your visit and apparent protection from the shifters out here?\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cI had wondered if you noticed that,\u201d he said.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">His voice was deceptively kind and melodious.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Aoife suppressed a shiver.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">He wants something.\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I know it.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">But what?<\/span><\/em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cWe did,\u201d she said, keeping her tone carefully neutral and even.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cAnd we\u2019re grateful for the intervention.\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cAs well you should be.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">They\u2019re Pain and Suffering\u2019s hounds.\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Crap.\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">So they <\/span><\/em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">are<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em> theirs after all.<\/em>\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Aoife swallowed bile and shook her head.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cI can\u2019t imagine why they\u2019d be seeking me.\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cI imagine they\u2019re not, in fact,\u201d Cariocecus said, smirking at her with something dangerous sparkling in his red-flecked golden eyes.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cSomeone saw fit to renew old grudges\u2026and paid the price. <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Which, of course, made her sisters quite upset.\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <em>What the hell is he&#8211;<\/em>\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Her stomach dropped to her knees.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Phelan.\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">They must have picked a fight with Phelan\u2014one of them must have, anyway\u2014and something\u2019s happened.<\/span><\/em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cHow do you know of this?\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Cariocecus sniffed.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cI have my own bone to pick with the Wanderer and his little tribe near the great lake.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">That\u2019s none of your concern for the moment and far from the reason I\u2019m here.\u201d<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">He took a step toward her.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cWhere is Seamus?\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cSeamus?\u201d<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <em>Why would he be looking for Seamus?<\/em>\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cDead,\u201d Aoife said, unable to keep a tendril of surprise from her voice.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cHe\u2019s been dead since an assassin\u2019s blade found his heart at the court of Charlemagne.\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cReally.\u201d<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Cariocecus flipped his cloak back off his shoulders, revealing black leather armor that would not have been out of place two thousand years before\u2014or at a modern Renaissance festival.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cThen why can we sense him in the world?\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cWe?\u201d\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Who\u2019s \u201cwe?\u201d<\/span><\/em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Aoife frowned and shook her head slowly.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cI\u2019ve not the foggiest clue.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">He was murdered.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Assassinated.\u201d<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <em>That was when Uncle couldn\u2019t take it anymore and moved beyond life into whatever comes after for people like us\u2026the ones that haven\u2019t given up immortality, anyway.<\/em><\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Lusitanian god took another step toward her, peering at her closely.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cI think you lie.\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Gray eased forward, placing a hand on Aoife\u2019s shoulder.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Her skin prickled at his touch.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cTake a step back,\u201d Gray suggested softly, meeting Cariocecus\u2019s gaze without flinching.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cWhat interest would she have in lying to you?\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cI know not,\u201d he said, smiling a cold smile at Gray as he took a small step back.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cI only know what I know, and what I know is that I can sense the lord Seamus in the world even as we stand here at an impasse.\u201d<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">His eyes fluttered shut and he tilted his face toward the sky as if he was thinking.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cWhat would your price be, m\u2019lady?<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">For information on his whereabouts?\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Her stomach twisted.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">He really wants him.\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">But Seamus is <\/span><\/em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">dead<\/span><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">!\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">We know that he\u2019s dead.<\/span><\/em><\/span><br \/>\n<em><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Unless it was a lie.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Unless it was faked. But who would have a reason for that\u2014who would want to?<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">And why would Seamus had kept his survival a secret for all these years?<\/span><\/span><\/em><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">She didn\u2019t have any answers.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cIf I knew something, what would you give me for that information?\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Gods and monsters, Aoife.\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What are you doing?<\/span><\/em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">She swallowed hard and hoped her instincts were right.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Cariocecus raised a brow.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cAre you saying you might?\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cI could provide direction, perhaps.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I don\u2019t believe Seamus is alive, but\u2026I might know where to start looking in case he is.\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Gray\u2019s hand tightened on her shoulder.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">She drew herself a bit straighter.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cIt would depend on what you have to offer, what I would be willing to give.\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Aoife swallowed.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cMy brother\u2019s life.\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Cariocecus crossed his arms.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cYou would need to give me <\/span><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">very<\/span><\/em><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> good information, Lady of Sighs, to put me off the Wanderer.\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <em>What did you <\/em><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">do<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em> to piss all these people off, big brother?<\/em>\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cYour word,\u201d she said softly.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">He studied her for a long moment, then inclined his head.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cIf your information proves beneficial, so be it.\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Her heart beat a rapid tattoo against her breast.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cBegin with Lady Summer.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">And move on to Lady Winter.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If he lives, one of them will know for certain.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">He had children by both.\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A look of surprise crossed Cariocecus\u2019s face.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cHe had children, did he?\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cNo one else was aware,\u201d Aoife said, her voice a bare whisper.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cJust me.\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Cariocecus smiled broadly and bowed.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cAnd now me.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Go back inside, m\u2019lady, and me and mine will deal with your visitors.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">It will be safe come daylight, you have my word.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Do not emerge before then.\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Aoife swallowed hard and nodded.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cVery well.\u201d<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">She turned slowly to the door, Gray watching Cariocecus for another moment before he turned to trail after her.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cWhat just happened?\u201d he whispered to her.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d she breathed.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cBut I hope I just saved my brother\u2019s life.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhy is he looking for you?\u201d\u00a0 Ter\u00e9zia asked, looking at her sidelong. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Aoife shook her head.\u00a0 \u201cOpen the door,\u201d she ordered, starting to walk toward them. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Gray just stared at her.\u00a0 \u201cWith those things out there?\u201d \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 &hellip; <a href=\"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=1314\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[35,55,52,39],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1314","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-book-2","category-chapter-16","category-winter","category-year-one"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1EBlN-lc","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1314","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1314"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1314\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1315,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1314\/revisions\/1315"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1314"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1314"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1314"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}