Page 39 of Cathmoir’s Sons (Bad Boys of Bevington #5)

Chapter 39

Grave Disturbance

LAW

C aileán isn’t laughing when we return to Scilla. She stands not far from where we raised the sea defense, clutching one of the warm throws from Ty Olewydd around her shoulders, looking along the shoreline.

Her brilliant blue eyes glimmer with tears.

Despite our efforts, the storm has wrecked Scilla’s waterfront. The cars that stood sentinel on the road above the concrete shingle are half-buried in sand and seaweed. Thick, jagged splinters, all that’s left of boats and boardwalk, stick up out of the sand drifts.

“Caileán,” I call softly to my mate.

She turns and trudges back through the crunching sand to me. “Look at this,” she whispers.

“I am looking,” I say, tilting her chin up so I can look into her eyes. “I’m taking stock of the repairs and reparations the Cait will make to this town. I am counting the cost against the doom Doctor Prince warned you of. I’m finding the price bearable.”

“Was anyone hurt?” she asks hesitantly.

This is news I didn’t want to give her. My Cait, who are now comfortably established in the town, watching and listening, reported the news to me this morning. I’ve kept it to myself as we’ve made a few repairs to Ty Olewydd and the treasure-hunters have reassembled.

“No one in the town,” I say, to cushion the blow. “They got the warning in time. They’re used to storms here; they stayed indoors. My Cait are already repairing the property damage.

Caileán’s eyes search mine. Whether she plucks it out of my mind or just knows me too well, she hears what I’m not telling her. “Outside of town?” she asks.

“The boat your rival and the Wepwawet were on capsized. The Italian coast guard rescued eight of the crew. Three are missing: the captain, Maher, and van Wyke.”

Her breath catches, breaks. I wrap my arm around her shoulders, cuddling her into the warm blanket and my chest.

“Caileán, you tried to warn them. You did what you could.”

“It wasn’t enough. I didn’t hate Maher. I didn’t hate van Wyke. I didn’t wish them ill. I never wanted them dead .”

“I know. My queen, my love, my darling—you can’t save everyone. Only those who want to be saved.”

Her shoulders sag. “Luca told me once that if your whole family was drowning, the only one you’d save is me. Is this the same thing?”

“I heard him. I was watching and listening, just as I am now.” I run my fingertips along her brow and down her cheek, tucking back strands of blue and black hair that have escaped her braid. “He wasn’t wrong, but he wasn’t completely right, either. I would save all of them. I’d just save you first.”

I can see the effort she makes to smile. She doesn’t quite get there.

“I care about Scilla, Caileán. It’s my town. The first new den the Cait have founded in my lifetime. I feel personally responsible for Scilla. I’ll protect it as long as I live. But those who come here unbidden, unwanted, who ignore our warnings, those I won’t extend my hand over. And I won’t lose any sleep if ill befalls them.”

“This wasn’t a random accident, though.” She sighs. “I caused this?—”

“Yes, my queen. You made a hard bargain. It wasn’t the first you’ve made. It won’t be the last. I know decisions that hurt others haunt you. I’d ask to take such decisions off your shoulders, but I think it’s important we both feel the weight of our decisions. It’s what will keep us humble, mortal, sympathetic. Luca says training to lead the Cait’s made me hard and cold. I know that’s true. But I’ve learned at my father’s side, and I know he’s harder and colder than I am. I’ve studied the kings and queens of Faery, and I’ve seen them be harder and colder than I ever want to be. I’m sorry you’re grieving, gan’gail . But I’m also not sorry you’re grieving.”

A genuine smile breaks through, although her eyes are still wet with tears. “If you see me becoming hard and cold ...”

“I will be at your side to temper you, Caileán. Always, my love, always.”

She goes up on her toes to brush her smile over my lips.

There are no smiles around the age-polished dining table in Ty Olewydd. The treasure-hunters have heard about the capsize of the Wepwawet ship. Despite their history, they seem sobered by the loss of their rival and the jackalwere.

I expect Arch to be antagonistic about the time lost. Instead, he’s subdued and wants to go over enhanced security arrangements on the beach as well as a backup plan for entering the anticline now that the Graeae are, hopefully, out of the way.

“We need to split up the Water mages,” Arch says, his gaze bouncing between Rhodes and Gabe. “Keep one in reserve just in case the first team runs into trouble.”

Seeing the wisdom of this, I nod. “Human, I know this goes against the grain, but I’d like you to stay behind with the second team.”

Predictably, Rhodes bristles. Caileán and Luca, who are sitting on either side of him, touch him placatingly.

“Why?” The human grumbles.

“Because if the first team runs into trouble, Gabe can call for demonic backup. What’s more, if Caileán is hurt, you might feel it.” I wish our psychic connections were stronger. In talking with Teddy’s husbands, I’ve come to understand that their natural quaternion shares several magical bonds. They’ve been able to speak to each other across Time itself, a feat I’ve never heard of before, even among Fae. That Luca, his human, and I are apparently reincarnates of Caileán’s first consorts gives me hope that we might develop such magickal bonds, too. “If you were to stand in your Element and Gabe sends a distress call, might you feel it?”

“I might See it,” the team’s Seer offers timidly.

“If you don’t mind staying on the beach with us, I’ll ensure you have every protection.”

The Seer nods.

Gabe turns a Flame Gem that one of his husbands must have made around on one of its facets between his fingers. He’s the only member of his quaternion with us today. I understand the rest of his family is in Bevington, making living arrangements and working on the syllabi for their spring classes. Presumably the two Fire mages can hear our conversation through the gem. “Why don’t we bring the demons with us from the get-go?” he asks.

“I’d really like to deal with Charybdis by way of negotiation,” Caileán says. “If I can. I won’t make another bad bargain the way I did with the Graeae, and Charybdis can’t be allowed to rise. But you know as well as I do that Jou tends to escalate every situation rather than de-escalate it.”

My phone buzzes in my pocket. When I take it out, there’s a message in our group chat, which I could have sworn I put on silent.

BaronAsh: I’ve never met a situation I couldn’t escalate. I’m definitely coming.

I glance at Luca and Rhodes, who are also regarding their phones. Then I glance at Gabe. “Who, exactly, is listening through that?” I tip my chin at the large, crimson gem.

Gabe shrugs. “Honestly, no idea. It should just be Charlie and Dar but, at this point, I just assume that Uncle Jou sees and hears everything the four of us do. I don’t know how. I probably don’t want to know. Just proceed on that assumption: the demons know everything. Life’s easier if you do.”

Great. I’ll need to set some boundaries with the demon the next time we meet. I appreciate demonic backup; I’m well-aware they saved our collective asses at Jedburgh Abbey. But I am Cait. We’re the shadow warriors of Faery; Hell should not be aware of our every step.

Caileán rubs the back of her neck. “Well, that changes our plans somewhat. Gabe, how many of us can you lead comfortably if we include Jou?”

Gabe tips his head from side to side. “Let’s say three plus Jou. I know he’s a Fire Elemental, but since he bonded with Tsara, he gained Water powers, so I probably won’t have to expend that much energy on him.”

“Val, if you’re willing to come, I’d really love to have you,” Caileán says. “I’m not going to ask you to pit yourself against what’s probably a Water Elemental in her Element, but we’ve got no idea what wards Charybdis has. If you can help me take them down, that definitely gives us an edge.”

The Void Mage nods. Her dark-haired mate puts a hand on her shoulder and squeezes. “Don’t overdo it. If you feel like it’s too much, signal Gabe. He’ll bring you back to the beach and I’ll gate us home.”

The Void Mage covers her mate’s hand with her own. “I’ll be careful. Passing out underwater would be bad.”

There are nods all around the table.

“That’s the team settled, then,” Arch says. “Luca, anything from your research?”

I raise my eyebrows at the human. He may lead this team of treasure-hunters, but he does not command the Cait.

My eyebrows go even higher when Luca answers evenly. If he shares my irritation at being commanded by a human, he gives no sign.

“I’d agree with Caileán that Charybdis is a Water Elemental, probably on par with a demon lord in terms of power, so even though Jou may create havoc, I think he’s a good addition to the team. You’ll be facing off with a Water Elemental in the heart of her Element. However, from the descriptions of the Graeae’s cave that you’ve given me and descriptions from legend, I wouldn’t be surprised if Charybdis’ inner lair is a dry cave. You may be able to use other Elements against her if it comes down to a fight. I know you want to bargain with her, Caileán, but the other thing you need to be prepared for is that Charybdis may be insane. There were three Graeae. They might not have been the most stable, but they kept each other sane. We don’t know if Charybdis has had contact with another sentient creature since her exile. She’s described over and over with all the symptoms of madness: weeping, raging, wanton killing?—”

“Lu, to be fair, any powerful, frustrated woman in ancient times was described as mad,” Caileán interjects.

Luca tips his head to our mate. “Granted.”

“So, we need to be prepared to bargain with a mad god,” Arch says heavily.

“Just another day in the office,” the Tech Mage jests.

“Can’t be worse than a murderous fate,” Gabe offers.

I glance at Caileán to see if she knows the story there. Her nod promises to let me in on the joke.

Arch slides a sheet of paper with a long list of times on it. “Next best tide for us is just after seven. I propose we eat an early dinner and get over to Torre Faro by five to help Danny set up?—”

Caileán clears her throat. “Tomorrow.”

Arch lifts his eyes from the paper. “Tomorrow?”

Caileán nods. “I have a thing this evening. I can’t get out of it. I’d rather dive in the morning anyway when we have the light. Diving in the dark in the Med is a big no, even if some of us can see in the dark.”

Arch rubs his chin, considering. “Okay, we can use today to prep and make sure our security is as solid as possible. Danny, what do you need?”

“Clear the beach and move all my equipment back,” the Tech Mage answers. “I’ve kept the magar net up and running. It’s solid. I don’t really need all my equipment on the beach, but I’d feel better if I had it in case something goes wrong during the dive. Law’s already volunteered his Cait to clear the beach and help me set up.”

I nod at the Tech Mage.

“I could use the time to meditate,” the Seer says quietly. Caileán and several others nod at her.

“I offer our restaurant in Scilla for team meals,” I say.

Although there are many willing cooks among those assembled, having them take over the villa’s kitchen seems like a recipe for disaster. The restaurant I bought in Scilla is fully staffed with my Cait and the old human’s nephew who wanted to stay on. Since he was the sous chef and knows all the old human’s recipes, I was more than happy to retain him.

“They’re discreet,” I continue. “They will work to our schedule. If anyone wants something off-menu, we can call ahead.”

“And no dishes to wash,” Danny says, lifting his coffee mug in my direction.

“We have bwg for that,” Caileán points out.

Danny looks into his coffee mug wonderingly. “Is that how everything’s so clean? I just figured you had your harem well-trained.”

Caileán snorts while Luca, Rhodes, and I laugh.

The beach at Torre Faro is dotted with foam and flotsam from the storm. After I get the wards back up, my Cait clear the area with a combination of magic and their strong backs.

With impeccable timing, as we move the last piece of wreckage and raise the Tech Mage’s tent, the demon appears, the glow from his eyes skittering over humps of wet sand. He’s not making any attempt to hide his nature: horns, burning eyes, shifting sigils, and sinuous tail on display. Whether he’s glamored so humans can’t see him or trusts my wards or just doesn’t give a shit is up for debate.

“Afternoon,” he drawls as he draws near.

“Good afternoon,” I respond, wiping sand from my palms.

“You up for a field trip?” he asks.

I lift an eyebrow at him. “Where are we going?”

“Treasure wants an alliance with Mordeh. Feels like somethin’ I should do before I give a Water Elemental a shot at me.”

I see his point. “Should I bring Mags and Dex?”

I tip my chin at my cousins who are busy playing Stalk the Tech Mage while he double-checks his equipment in the shelter of the tent.

If they double-team Danny, Caileán may never get her Tech Mage back. They’re quite possessive as a duo. Good time to drag them off to Hell. They’ll forgive me, I hope.

“Sure,” Jou agrees. “Show of strength never hurts when dealing with demons.”

I center myself, then reach in my mind for Luca. I brush my mind against his, feel his tranquility. He’s with Caileán and his human. All’s well. Once I’m sure the rest of my family is safe, I rejoin the demon who has moved to the shoreline, looking out over the scudding waves, his arms crossed over his bare chest.

“Everything okay?” I ask him.

He taps black claws against his impressive biceps. “I hate askin’ for favors.”

He needs a favor from me?

“Just ask,” I prod.

“I want your help fendin’ off my kids’ suitors for a couple of decades. Two of ‘em have already been claimed. One by the lord of fucking ghouls. They can barely walk and their future’s already laid out like a damn highway. I want to give them time to grow up the way Tsara did. The way you have. I see the way you and your brother have been raised: one foot in Faery and one foot in the mortal world. It shouldn’t work, but it has. You’re ... fuck, I hate this word. You two are well-adjusted . Healthy. Strong. I want that for my kids. I want them to have mortal childhoods and go to that college you’re at. I want them to have time to find themselves, find the things they’re passionate about. I want them to have adolescent crushes and awkward first dates and stress about exams. I want them to experience the mortal world the way you and the Spare have.”

My chest swells. I haven’t been spoken to like this, man to man, father to father, before. I savor the feeling for a moment before I respond. “All of our children should have that gift. Whatever you want me to do to that end, I’ll do it. Foster them. Fake betrothal to one of the Cait. Whatever.”

“I like both of those,” the demon responds. “Hells, I might send all my kids to you and a few of my harem, too. A couple of fake betrothals would get the Old Man off my back. How d’you feel about me creatin’ a permanent gate to Ash Hill so Tsara and me can see the kids every day? It’s gonna tear her up if we send them off and she can’t see them except at mortal holidays.”

A permanent gate to Hell in my house? I don’t feel good about it. But I’m making deals with a demon. There are worse things he could demand.

“Fine,” I agree. “If it could lead to your mate’s garden, that would be less alarming than the places where those fire-spiders roam.”

The demon chuckles. “I promise no Flamin’ Spiders. Open alliance between Ash Hill and the Cait might attract attention above and below. You ready for that?”

I lift my chin and stare out at the dark tide. “Given Caileán’s propensity for running into the teeth of things that might try to eat her, I’m seeing the wisdom in having as many allies as possible. You never know when you might need that ally to save her ass.”

The demon’s chuckle expands to a laugh that rolls over the susurrus of the tide.