\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Thom\u2019s hand spasmed around mine before he shoved me behind him, fingers untangling from mine.\u00a0 I groped for my bow as his blade rasped free of its scabbard.<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cJust stay behind me,\u201d he said in a tight voice.<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2014\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cJust stay behind me,\u201d he repeated, more firmly this time.\u00a0 There was no hint of pleading in his voice, just the tone of command I\u2019d grown used to hearing over the years\u2014though rarely directed at me, usually directed to others.<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 We\u2019d been out here alone for a long while, though.\u00a0 It had been a long time since I\u2019d heard that tone.<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cPeace!\u201d a voice called.\u00a0 The brush in front of us rustled, a young face peeking out from amidst the branches and leaves.\u00a0 His eyes were bright green, copper around the pupils, and I sucked in a sharp breath. He reminded me of both Phelan and Thom all at once.<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cGods and monsters,\u201d I breathed, clutching at Thom\u2019s arm before I eased him aside.\u00a0 \u201cCome out,\u201d I said, my tone far gentler than my husband\u2019s.\u00a0 \u201cCome out, we won\u2019t hurt you.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Thom looked at me askance and I waved him into silence, easing past him toward the brush and the thin but broad-shouldered young man emerging from the brush.\u00a0 His dark auburn hair was cropped short, feathery, freckles scattered across his cheeks and nose.\u00a0 I took a deep breath.\u00a0 He was of age with our son, perhaps a year older at most.<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s your name?\u201d I whispered.<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSeamus,\u201d he answered, staring at me for a moment before his gaze flicked toward Thom, who only sheathed his sword when he\u2019d gotten a good look at the boy\u2019s face.\u00a0 \u201cFor my Da\u2019s brother.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI know,\u201d I said, taking a step toward him.\u00a0 \u201cTeague is your father.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He blinked at me, then looked at Thom. \u201cHow did you\u2014?\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cTake us to him,\u201d Thom said.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s a lot we need to talk about.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The boy nodded warily, turning away. I gripped Thom\u2019s arm as my vision began to dim.<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMarin?\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d I whispered, though I wasn\u2019t.<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Darkness swallowed me whole.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Thom\u2019s hand spasmed around mine before he shoved me behind him, fingers untangling from mine.\u00a0 I groped for my bow as his blade rasped free of its scabbard. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cJust stay behind me,\u201d he said in a tight voice. … Continue reading