Blood And Breath

13

“Deaglan O’Connor? Mom, he’s a lunatic. You can’t listen to him—” The slap came out of nowhere. I hadn’t seen her raised hand, which was best—I didn’t want to carry with me the image of my mother at the moment she had broken my heart. The burning pain from her blow had run more than skin deep, and my despair was crippling. We were both aware of our difference of opinion concerning the Fae, but it had never escalated to such a heated extent. With my hand protectively covering my aching jaw, I met my mother’s livid eyes with pleading in my own. I showed her my heartbreak and shock, only to be met with cold indifference. It was clear on my mother’s stony face that she felt equally as wronged as I had. My chest hollowed with the realization that she had zero remorse for her actions despite her malicious behavior. She felt she was in the right, and until she made room for an alternate perspective, nothing would change. Tears filled my eyes. With a defeated shake of my head, I walked away from my mother, knowing our relationship would never be the same. OceanofPDF.com Chapter Five OceanofPDF.com CAT The following morning, I had an unexpected visitor waiting for me outside the museum. Daeglan O’Connor sat on the stone steps, his legs crossed as if he was simply out enjoying the weather. He may have been my mother’s friend, but I had never liked the man. That certainly didn’t change when he recently tried to harm Rebecca when they tried to retrieve the Sword of Light from the British Museum. I had made the mistake of telling my mother that Rebecca and Lochlan had located the long-lost artifact and were going to retrieve it in London. Mom passed the information to Daeglan, who raced to London and tried to steal the sword out from under Rebecca. It was a powerful Fae weapon, but the most notorious of its powers was the ability to force the truth from anyone at its blade. Daeglan wanted the Druids to have it and didn’t care if anyone died in the process. I hated that his ruthless influence held sway over my mother. Daeglan wasn’t a good man, and no good could come of his appearance outside the museum. “Good morning, Daeglan,” I offered warily. He stood as I approached, a smarmy grin on his thin lips. “Mornin’, Cat. I know you have work now, but I was hoping we could talk for a minute. Your mother’s been awfully worried about you lately.” “I’m aware, but I’m not sure what business it is of yours.” “She’s my friend, and I don’t like to see her upset. She loves you. Don’t begrudge her for wanting to protect her only child. Family is everything, Cat.” His words were valid, but his condescending tone counteracted their effectiveness. Daeglan was about five-ten with dark hair combed neatly back and a closely trimmed salt-and-pepper beard. His eyes were a dusky gray beneath a prominent brow, and his tanned skin covered pronounced cheekbones. He would have been attractive had it not been for the malignant aura surrounding him. The essence may not have been visible, but I could feel its snaking tendrils trying to coat me in his malevolence whenever I was near him. I shifted myself to put more space between us. “There’s a difference between protecting someone and indulging in irrational fears.” “What’s more irrational—guarding against a magical race of beings who feed off humans or pretending those beings are harmless?” he asked with a lifted brow. “You know our history with the Fae. You know how important it is to keep our people safe, yet you continue to make poor decisions. If you insist on associating with the wrong individuals, it may be necessary to re-educate you on the fundamental principles of our society.” “Are you saying the council would make me repeat my lessons?” I asked with astonishment. When Druid children were old enough to be told about the Fae, they attended two years of weekly lessons on our history and rune training, not unlike Catholic children taking confirmation classes. There was no way I was sitting through that crap again. “I’m an adult. They can’t send me back to training.” “The council can do whatever they wish. For the moment, we are somewhat crippled while Paedar still presides as chief, but his days are numbered. Change is upon us, and in the months ahead, I see a new council with a clear understanding of the importance of a united Druid people. I’m just here to look out for you. I don’t want you getting hurt.” I didn’t know what Daeglan was hinting at, but it wasn’t good. Paedar O’Shea was known by all Druids because of his role as leader of our people. He was a levelheaded man, good at keeping the peace and diplomatic when spats arose. I couldn’t imagine him punishing me for having Fae friends now that our secret was out, but Daeglan’s warning sounded ominous. His eyes slid to the side, bringing my attention to where my boss, Fergus, stood at the museum’s front entrance. Fergus was a fellow Druid and one of the only reasons my mother had allowed me to keep working at the museum despite Rebecca’s presence. “Good day, Daeglan. Cat, I’m in need of your assistance if you’re ready to clock in.” Fergus addressed us in an abnormally chilly tone with his eyes set harshly on Daeglan. Daeglan gave a cagey smile. “No problem at all. Cat and I were done talking. You two enjoy your day.” He gave us a nod and strolled casually away from the building. I hurried up the steps to where Fergus held the door open for me, already returning to his jovial self