Phelan froze.<\/p>\n
No. Gods and monsters, no.<\/em><\/p>\n His heart began to beat fast, too fast.<\/p>\n No.<\/em><\/p>\n Jacqueline caught his hand in hers and squeezed hard. He\u2019d forgotten that she\u2019d followed him out here, stuck by his side even as activity began to swirl around them, as Thom tried to coordinate the defense and tried to send Marin back to the tents and safety at the same time, as Seamus appeared alone, armed with a sword at his hip and a cold, hard look in his eye that was unfamiliar and all too familiar all at once to his cousins and his sister.<\/p>\n The feeling of Jacqueline\u2019s hand around his brought him back to his senses. He shivered, swallowing hard and looking at her, his mouth dry.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was the Hecate,\u201d he said in a whisper. \u201cThat was her.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know,\u201d she said, squeezing his fingers again. \u201cI know, Phelan, but it\u2019s going to be okay. We\u2019ll deal with her once and for all this time. She\u2019s not taking you.\u201d Her gaze drifted from him toward Seamus. \u201cOr your cousin\u2014or anyone.\u201d She looked up at him again, her jaw set and her eyes bright. \u201cYou hear me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI hear you,\u201d Phelan murmured. I love you. How did you know what I needed?<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cCome on. They\u2019re going to need us up there.\u201d<\/p>\n Phelan blinked and glanced toward the warding lines, half surprised to see battle lines being drawn up, with J.T. holding one end and one of the Wild Hunt holding another. Thom was moving toward the center, Seamus on his heels, even as Marin darted back toward the tents\u2014probably to get her bow if Phelan were to venture a guess.<\/p>\n With her family in danger, there\u2019s no way she\u2019d stay back.<\/em><\/p>\n It was something he\u2019d seen in Brigh\u00edd centuries ago, something Marin had likewise inherited from Mair\u00e9ad as well.<\/p>\n All of us take care of our own.<\/em><\/p>\n He squeezed Jacqueline\u2019s hand and marched forward, forcing his fear down into the dark well that had birthed it.<\/p>\n The Hecate wasn\u2019t going to win today.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Phelan froze. No. Gods and monsters, no. His heart began to beat fast, too fast. No. Jacqueline caught his hand in hers and squeezed hard. He\u2019d forgotten that she\u2019d followed him out here, stuck by his side even as activity … Continue reading