Why the hell didn’t I tell you that before?
Because he was dumb-ass stupid, that was why. Bowman had been so fixed on the fucking mate bond, and on proving that he and Kenzie could hold Shiftertown together without it, that he had never acknowledged what she truly was to him.
Everything.
“I think I know why Ryan so easily went in.” Cristian stood next to Bowman, his voice way too calm. “He picked up the sword and understood its connection to the mists. When he dropped the sword inside, it called to him, compelling Ryan to it.” He fixed Bowman with a steady gaze from his wolf-gold eyes. “Ryan is very special. It could be that he will be picked at the next Choosing.”
Bowman swung on him. “Screw that. No way is my son going to be a Guardian.”
“If the Goddess touches him, he will have no choice.”
Pierce gave a Feline growl. “Yeah, but Choosings only take place when the former Guardian dies. I’m not that old yet. You don’t have anything to worry about, Bowman.”
Cristian shrugged and didn’t argue. Bowman knew damn well that it wouldn’t matter what he wanted, or what Cristian wanted, or even what Ryan wanted at a Choosing. If the Goddess decided that Ryan should take up the sword and become the Guardian, there was nothing any of them could do about it.
Bowman hoped Cristian was wrong—Guardians were revered, but they were also, very politely, shunned. Pierce took it in his stride, but Ryan wasn’t cut out to be a loner.
“Besides,” Bowman said out loud, “he’s going to be leader, not Guardian.”
“If we can find him,” Cristian answered.
Bowman swung on him. “If you say that like it’s a question again, I’ll take you apart. We’re finding him. And Kenzie. Now stop standing around bleating like an old woman and get on with it.”
Bowman expected Cristian to respond with anger, maybe even issue a challenge, but the older man only looked at him with understanding.
“You are right,” Cristian said. “We must first find my niece and grandnephew and cease speculating on what might be. We will find them.” He didn’t touch Bowman, but his eyes held both strength and compassion. “This I promise you.”
* * *
Brigid looked pained when Kenzie used the Fae cloak to wipe the mud from Ryan’s face and hands. Ryan succumbed to the cleaning with poor grace.
“Why don’t you turn to wolf?” Brigid suggested as he fussed. “Then you could lick yourself clean.”
“Because, ew,” Ryan said, giving Brigid a disparaging look. “Anyway, what if the mud is poisonous? Could be, in a zombified place like this.”
“You still haven’t told me how you got here,” Kenzie said as she wiped.
Ryan looked embarrassed. “My own fault, I guess. I thought the Sword of the Guardian might have enough magic in it to open the way through the mists. So I grabbed it and tried. The stupid sword flew in here like it wanted to lance something. I let it go, and Pierce yelled at me. I thought I’d reach in and see if it was, you know, like lying on the ground right inside, and I got sucked in too. I mean, really fast, like the sword did. I don’t know why I ended up falling into the mud, but I did.” He looked stricken. “Oh, man, I hope the sword isn’t at the bottom of that bog. Pierce would be seriously pissed off at me.”
“Sword?” Brigid asked with interest. She perked up at the mention of weapons of any kind.
“Of the Guardian,” Ryan said. “Magical. They were made seven hundred years ago by a Shifter sword smith and a Fae woman who put the spells in it. The Shifter and the Fae were mates, believe it or not, and created swords to make sure Shifter souls didn’t linger to be enslaved by the Fae. Fae were still trying to make Shifters their slaves, back then, alive or dead.” Ryan shrugged. “Still are.”
“So I have heard,” Brigid answered, disapproving. “Foolish endeavors. We no longer need Shifters.”
“Some Fae are fanatics about it,” Kenzie said. “And those are the ones Shifters have to deal with.”
“You have my sympathy.” Brigid folded her arms. “Not that any of this helps us depart this place.”
“That’s true.” Kenzie had never dreamed she’d a) meet a Fae; or b) agree with one so much. “Ryan, you said the sword came in here easily. From what I understand, it’s pretty self-preserving, so I’d be surprised if it ended up in the bog. Let’s look for it. Maybe it can help us get out.” She allowed her hope to rise. “Turner said he needed a talisman to come and go through the mists, and you know, the Sword of the Guardian is one big magical talisman.”
“Yeah,” Ryan said, leaping to his feet. “You’re pretty smart, Mom. Sometimes.”
Brigid laughed, a surprisingly beautiful sound. “Offspring have much in common everywhere, do they not? My own daughters have said the same to me.” Her laughter died, sorrow entering her eyes. “Yes, let us search.”