I swallow hard, the weight of responsibility he’s putting on me finally sinking in. He wants to regain the power of our House that was lost all those centuries ago when the first daughter fell and Brighid’s power faded. That’s no small order. And it all rests on me to convince the demi to choose us. Getting her to trust us. To trust me. “Yes, sir.”
“Keep her here, under wraps. Instruct her in what’s expected of her, test her powers. But be gentle.” He moves closer, whispering again, “And perhaps, if reason doesn’t work, other methods can be applied. You are very handsome, hunter, and I’ve seen her notice.” His brow goes up in silent suggestion. “She is young and innocent. It would take only a small nudge in the right direction, no need to cross any lines or break your vow.”
“Sir, I—”
“For the House of your goddess, Faelan. You’ll find a way, I know you will. She’ll bring us back from the brink. This means everything—it could be our last chance.” Concern fills his features. “Talks of a shift in the Penta are beginning within the ranks. The Cast are considering the request to push Brighid aside permanently for another—and you know they have no affection for us.”
That gets my attention. “What? That can’t be right.”
“There are whispers that the Cast wish to give our Brighid’s position to a lesser of Danu’s female offspring. Likely Branwen or Ainé—they’ve both been vying for favor at the lower tables in the Otherworld.”
“That’s heresy,” I say, feeling the shadow of a horrible possibility fall over us. Could the great fire goddess really lose her place in the power structure?
“Brighid has been silent for so long,” Marius says. “And we don’t know why. Even the gatekeepers say she’s abandoned us. Her envoys left no mark when they crossed over from the Otherworld to bring Sage here after her birth. There were no markers of the goddess’s power left behind anywhere. It’s as if she didn’t plant the child.”
I don’t see how that could be true. It must have just been missed. No demi born of a goddess arrives here on this plane without leaving trails behind them. “But, obviously, that’s false. This demi is proof the goddess hasn’t totally abandoned us, no matter what evidence is or isn’t left of her envoy’s crossing.”
“My hope as well. And tomorrow night we can solidify it in the minds of the Cast, along with all of the Penta’s children, when we introduce her.” He rests a hand on my shoulder, his tone becoming fatherly. “You’ve always been loyal, Faelan. Since you came to us as that broken young man. I know what you gave up, leaving your father’s House. I see your strength. And I know you won’t fail me.”
If only I had that much faith. “I’ll do my best, sir.”
“Excellent.” He steps away, closer to the fountain, bending the stream of water with a wave of his hand. “I feel the tide turning, friend. We’ll find a way back to the power of the old order. Perhaps this girl is a sign that we’re nearly there.”
FOURTEEN
SAGE
“The shoes you have on aren’t perfect, but they’ll do,” Aelia says, setting her wineglass on the table with a determined clink. “We should go before Daddy sends Faelan the Downer in to start you on your energy diet.”
“What? Go where?” I lean back in my chair.
“You need to mingle a little, I think. A few drinks at The Fitz and some time with the girls sounds about right. Maybe we can even get you laid before the boring stuff takes over.” She stands. “If you’re going to make a splash, you may as well jump.”
“Your dad said we need to be careful. Going out to party isn’t careful.” Though it might be a chance to sneak away from her for a second, get space, which sounds great—but I could hurt someone, which isn’t good.
“Oh brother, don’t be such a pixie,” Aelia says, coming around the table. She takes me by the arm and pulls me up.
I jerk away. “What the hell’s that supposed to mean?”
“You’re apparently some important demi and you’re acting like a pixie—who are sniveling narcs. It’s sad. And annoying.”
“I couldn’t care less if I annoy you.” I peer through the windows along the hallway, looking for Marius to come back toward the house. Even if I wanted to get out of here, this vapid girl is the last person I’d go anywhere with.
“The coast is clear,” she says. “He won’t come back this way. He leaves through the waterfall.”
My eyes snap to hers—traveling through water?
“He’s the son of Lyr. Think about it.” She folds her arms across her chest and looks me over. “Listen, I just want this to go right for my dad. The whole Introduction thing tomorrow night is going to go a lot better for our House if the Otherborn catch scent of you ahead of time. The rumor mill will spread word of your presence, and it won’t be business as usual at the ceremony. Just think of the attention, the crowds. It’ll be that much more epic when you’re presented. The House of Brighid really needs this.”
I’m surprised to hear an edge of vulnerability in her tone; she actually sounds like she cares about helping. I don’t, though. I’ve got to do what’s best for me, not some power structure I have no stake in. “No way. You’re nuts.”
“I’m practical. My father’s worked really hard to make the House stable again. I want to do what I can to help.”
With as much conviction as I can manage, I say, “I’m not going anywhere with you, Aelia.”
She purses her lips, sizing me up again. A couple of tense seconds tick by, and then she smirks. “Oh, you’re going. Either that or I tell my dad you had sex with Faelan last night and that’s why you’re acting cagey.”
My pulse skips. “What? That’s ridiculous.” I step back. “And who cares?” Even though for some crazy reason I do care if people think that. Which is stupid.
Her features shift suddenly, fear filling them as her hand rests delicately on her chest. “Daddy, I’m so mortified,” she says dramatically. “I didn’t mean to keep it from you, but I can’t lie anymore. That girl totally betrayed us. After we brought her here to protect her and comfort her—I caught her . . . feeding off your hunter. She nearly killed him! She would’ve if I hadn’t stopped her.” Her voice wavers, and a shiver runs through me. “What I saw her doing to him . . . the way she was wrapped around him. He was so helpless, so pale and close to death. And her anger . . . oh gods, Daddy, she got so angry she nearly burned the cottage down. I could’ve been killed.” She sniffs. “I didn’t want to tell you. I couldn’t believe the treachery, how she hurt Faelan was so—”
“Enough,” I finally say, my whole body turned to ice.
A satisfied grin slides across her face.
“Why are you pushing this? I could hurt someone out there. You know that.”
She waves away my caution. “Not as long as I’m with you. I can place a temporary protection spell around you that’ll last a few hours. You won’t attract a wink of trouble. Except maybe the fun kind.”
“This can’t be good for you if it goes shitways.”