Cariocecus stood near the archway where Thom and I had gotten married.\u00a0 He was studying the dormant vines that tangled around the metal thoughtfully, so intensely that I more than half wondered if he was trying to figure out what kind of vine it was\u2014and if it could be turned into a weapon in a pinch.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t seem to notice our approach until Thom cleared his throat loudly.<\/p>\n
Then he spun toward us, gaze lighting on Thom and I for a moment each before his eyes narrowed at the sight of Phelan.<\/p>\n
\u201cGoing to hit me again?\u201d he asked.\u00a0 There was a purpling bruise on his jaw and I could see the faint imprint of Phelan\u2019s hematite ring along Cariocecus\u2019s jawline.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s lucky that he didn\u2019t break his jaw\u2014and Phelan\u2019s lucky he didn\u2019t break his fingers.<\/i><\/p>\n
Phelan glared at him and I put a hand on his arm to restrain him.\u00a0 \u201cNo,\u201d I said.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s not going to hit you again.\u00a0 At least not before we get to talk.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cariocecus stared at me for a long moment, then nodded slightly and seated himself on a nearby bench.\u00a0 \u201cAll right,\u201d he drawled, crossing his arms.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s talk, Seer.\u201d<\/p>\n
I glanced toward Thom and he gave me a slight nod.\u00a0 I nodded back and then turned my focus back toward Cariocecus.<\/p>\n
Your show this time, Marin.\u00a0 Let\u2019s see what you\u2019ve got.<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cWhy are you looking for Phelan\u2019s cousin?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cariocecus\u2019s brows shot up.\u00a0 \u201cOf all the things you could have asked me, you lead with that<\/i>?\u201d<\/p>\n
My eyes narrowed and I took a step forward.\u00a0 Sometimes, I wish I was bigger, just so I\u2019d seem more imposing.\u00a0 \u201cSomething tells me finding that<\/i> out is more important than some of the other things I could lead off with.\u00a0 \u2018Why us\u2019 and \u2018why here\u2019 are answers that can wait\u2014or that we can figure out by some logical deduction.\u00a0 I can\u2019t bloody well fathom the answer to the question I just asked because I don\u2019t know enough yet.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cariocecus\u2019s gaze flicked toward Phelan for a moment and he grinned ferally.\u00a0 \u201cKeeping them in the dark about little things, are you, Wanderer?\u00a0 So much for secrets.\u201d<\/p>\n
Phelan\u2019s jaw tightened.\u00a0 \u201cShut up, you lying bastard.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTouchy.\u201d\u00a0 Cariocecus smiled a little and I grimaced.\u00a0 The bastard was<\/i> enjoying this\u2014probably more than he had any right to.<\/p>\n
\u201cEnough,\u201d I said, my voice deliberately quiet but hard.\u00a0 \u201cWhy are you looking for Seamus?\u201d<\/p>\n
His eyes narrowed briefly, then he sighed.\u00a0 \u201cIf you absolutely must know, it\u2019s because he and his descendants are keys to everything that comes after the end of everything, according to the old tales.\u201d<\/p>\n
Next to me, Phelan stiffened.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s wondering how much more Cariocecus thinks he knows\u2014not just about Seamus and his potential offspring, but about all of us.<\/i>\u00a0 It took every ounce of my control not to reach over and squeeze his hand.<\/p>\n
Now wasn\u2019t the time to show any sign of weakness.<\/p>\n
\u201cReally,\u201d Thom said from his spot at Phelan\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cBecause he hasn\u2019t been dead for centuries so far as anyone\u2019s known.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSince the last war,\u201d Phelan muttered.<\/p>\n
Cariocecus shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cAll I know is what the legends and tales say.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd clearly, you believe them all<\/i>,\u201d Phelan spat.<\/p>\n
He canted his head to one side as he looked at Phelan.\u00a0 \u201cClearly, more than you do, Wanderer.\u00a0 What a sorry fate for the Taliesin, not to believe the stories he\u2019s supposed to cherish and protect, to pass on to other generations.\u201d<\/p>\n
Phelan spat a curse and launched himself at Cariocecus.\u00a0 Thom tackled him.<\/p>\n
Me?<\/p>\n
I just stood there and sighed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Cariocecus stood near the archway where Thom and I had gotten married.\u00a0 He was studying the dormant vines that tangled around the metal thoughtfully, so intensely that I more than half wondered if he was trying to figure out what … Continue reading