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I half-turned and nodded to him as I held up a hand to keep him from asking more questions.

Why did ya take it?

My chest buzzed again.Power should never be wasted.

I rolled my eyes.That is not an answer to my question. Tell me, One of the Three. I want to know what ya did and why ya did it.

Taking the fairy’s power was the only way you could have stopped the fairy from killing you to get to us. You made the only decision you could. There is no reason to doubt your motives.

That’s still not an answer. Try again,I ordered.

It was helpful for all of us to receive it.

It was like arguing a point with Rasmus when he had nothing in his own experience that allowed him to understand the debate from my point of view. The irony was nearly too much to accept.

I lifted my chin as if the being I argued with could see me.Can the power be returned to me? Or to the original fairy thief?

No. I gave it to my helpers because they needed it. No one got harmed by its use, and two beings were made better.

The reality of what One of The Three was doing suddenly popped into my mind. My merger with the beings in the stone must work both ways because I could see his end goal as clearly as if I’d thought up the plan myself.Ya’re planning to wake them up. Ya’re planning to feed them enough power to join ya for real.

When One of The Three remained silent, I slapped my chest until it buzzed in reply. I yelled my response aloud. “Ya don’t have to confess because I know I’m right, ya idiot. Ya can’t lie to me any more than I can lie to the likes of ya. I canseewhat ya want to happen.”

Ben’s eyes widened at my sudden outburst. I looked at Ben and winced. “Sorry to involve ya, Ben. I’m so angry at the beings in the stone that I forgot to think the words rather than speak them aloud.”

Ben chewed his gum even harder. The smell of cinnamon filled the air. “Do the voices in your head have full conversations with you? I’m happy to hear you get angry when they talk to you, but perhaps you should see a therapist about getting them to leave you alone.”

I gave him the look I gave Rasmus when the guardian didn’t understand my life. “I’m speaking to the beings inhabiting the stone I put inside my chest. What I most need is to talk to The Dagda, but my mentoring ancestor is choosing not to make himself available at the moment.”

Ben stopped chewing and froze. “What are you arguing with the gods about this time?”

I rolled my eyes. “The voice I’m hearing isn’t that of a god, Ben. The being I’m talking to is one of three ancient mages that my god ancestor trapped inside my version of yer magick charm. He’s not some disembodied spirit ordering me to murder people. He’s a trapped soul who remembers what being a human is like.”

“Right. And it’s not like youneedany encouragement to kill people. Your invisible helper probably understands that too, right?”

I glared at my boss. “Was that yer idea of a joke?”

Ben blinked in surprise and took a step back. “No. Did you think it was funny?”

Rolling my eyes again would serve no purpose, so I fought the urge. “Ya were right about me draining Ezra’s power. The mage who talks to me in my head took it and used it for something, which is why I don’t feel that extra magick inside me.”

“That explains nothing useful.”

I waved my hand, trying to wave away his confusion. “The bottom line is that yer source is likely right about Ezra’s lack of power. And that’s probably why his fairy family won’t let him return. I didn’t leave Ezra is a good place.”

“So what do we do?” Ben asked.

“I don’t know yet. Killing the fairy is getting more and more appealing. Assassins might stop coming after me if they realize they will never get paid.”

“Can we give him his power back and just send him home?”

That certainly would be the most peaceful option. It was hard for me to consider showing Ezra more mercy when he kept showing me none. I rubbed my forehead and groaned in frustration.

“Until Rasmus, every man I let into my life wanted my power. Ya’d think at some point I’d be able to forget those men and put the past truly behind me. None of this current mess would be happening if I’d just killed Ezra when I had the right to do so. Damn Tony for stopping me. This is all his fault.”

“Did you just blaspheme your daughter’s angel?” Ben asked.

“Yes, because I’m tired of blaming myself. Do ya fear his wrath?”