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I smirked at his grin. “Fine. I can live with ya hearing me. Ya already know all my secrets.”

“The charm also wouldn’t work on demons.”

My sigh was loud. “I guess that’s because of my connection to Conn. My energy is merged with his.”

“Precisely,” Zenos said. “And I’m not sure about the guardians or yer Wu Shaman. It likely would work on yer witchfamily, the fairies, and I think on yer far darrig friend. Time would tell.”

I shrugged. “That would at least cut my embarrassment by half.”

“See now? That’s why I like ya so much. Ya’re a realist, Aran. Would it change yer mind about bedding me if I told ya I’m better between the sheets than yer guardian?”

“No,” I said with a chuckle. “I’m a monogamist. But I will owe ya for yer training.”

Zenos nodded. “The only thing I want is for ya to let me stay for the big finale. Things haven’t got exciting yet.”

I waved a hand. It was work to pretend his teasing didn’t worry me and I was sure he knew it. “Stay as long as ya like. If ya want to give me any other lessons, I’m available for them—providing they aren’t of a carnal nature.”

“Done,” Zenos declared, slapping his knee. “I love a good bargain.”

Normally, I loved one too, but something warned me any agreement with Zenos would not be good.

Chapter Eleven

Zenos left me alone by the fire pit with my thoughts. Claiming a need to shift forms, he changed into a Phoenix and flew up through the space between the trees.

I sat there silently for several long moments and then just had to know.

I put a hand on my chest. “Talk to me,” I ordered. “Tell me about the three of ya.”

We are only one.

“Were ya mages?”

We are one power.

“What kind of power? How do I use ya?”

We are the power of three.

Talking to the Dagda stone was like talking to someone who couldn’t understand my words. I felt that way whenever I tried to speak with Mulan’s people. Oddly, talking to her staff was like talking to an old friend. I guess each artifact had a distinct personality.

I formed an image of all four of Mulan’s family members in my mind. “Show me which of them is evil,” I ordered.

An image of the four of them bound with a black rope instantly popped into my brain to replace my own. The sister’s husband faced his wife and parents-in-law. He was on the end.

Great.How was I supposed to tell the Wu Shaman that her family were all demon-possessed? Why didn’t she know this for herself? I reacted with a stress call.

Conn? I need to talk to ya. I’m in the grove.

Be there shortly,he replied.

I fed the fire pit flame more magick until it flared again.

Conn hadn’t bothered walking to me. Moments after I called, he materialized right beside me. “You bellowed?”

“Yes. We have a problem.”

Conn smiled and sat down in one of the chairs. “Are you referring to Mulan’s family members all being possessed by some ancient and very powerful demon who is not me?”