\u201cYou look better, Wanderer.\u201d<\/p>\n
Phelan glanced up from his crouched position in the snow, toward the source of the voice. A wry smile twisted his lips as he watched the black-cloaked figure approach, carefully, gingerly, as if he were afraid that something would suddenly leap up from the ground to bite him.<\/p>\n
Of course, the way Marin sets wardings, something just might.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re late,\u201d Phelan said mildly, straightening from his crouch. From the other end of the barrow, J.T. and Thordin gave Cariocecus wary looks, the pair ever-watchful when it came to the war godling.<\/p>\n \u201cI wasn\u2019t aware that we were on a schedule,\u201d Cariocecus said, shifting his cloak with a slight grimace. \u201cDamn cold winter.\u201d<\/p>\n Phelan nodded. \u201cThe meteorfall screwed up the weather. It is what it is and the survivors have to deal with it now.\u201d He shoved his hands deep into the pockets of his jacket, already starting to lose feeling in the tips. Even with spring on the doorstep, it was cold in western Michigan\u2014what was left of it. \u201cWhat news?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re moving,\u201d Cariocecus said, his gaze wandering to the snow-shrouded ruins of lecture halls and the university theatre complex. \u201cHecate and her allies. I\u2019ve heard rumblings.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFrom where?\u201d Thordin ask as he and J.T. came to Phelan\u2019s side. \u201cWhat quarters?\u201d<\/p>\n Cariocecus made a face. \u201cI\u2019m not without my contacts and my ways, Odinson.\u201d<\/p>\n Thordin held up a finger. \u201cI am no one\u2019s son anymore, warmonger. I am exiled and forsaken. Don\u2019t forget that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRight,\u201d Cariocecus drawled, his focus shifting back to Phelan. \u201cShe hasn\u2019t lost interest in you, Wanderer. She\u2019ll come after you again.\u201d<\/p>\n Phelan shook his head slowly. \u201cShe was always going to\u2014either me or Seamus.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s not exactly interested in your cousin any longer,\u201d Cariocecus said quietly. \u201cIt\u2019s you she\u2019s after, Phelan. The true Taliesin.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe can\u2019t have him,\u201d J.T. said. \u201cJac\u2019s laid claim.\u201d<\/p>\n He almost blushed at that and didn\u2019t bother to hide his smile. \u201cShe has at that.\u201d His smile faded as he regarded the serious expression on Cariocecus\u2019s face. \u201cHow much time do we have?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cProbably not nearly enough,\u201d Cariocecus said quietly. \u201cBut there never is, is there?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d Phelan agreed. \u201cThere never is.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u201cYou look better, Wanderer.\u201d Phelan glanced up from his crouched position in the snow, toward the source of the voice. A wry smile twisted his lips as he watched the black-cloaked figure approach, carefully, gingerly, as if he were afraid … Continue reading