Page 4 of The Tides of March (Moon Murder Mysteries)

Three

T ony had forgotten about Pegasus.

With all that had happened over the last month, it wasn’t surprising, but Tony was overjoyed when Nox flipped back the tarp and revealed his beloved baby blue VW Beetle. Tony had left it at the school the day he was attacked but it had been relocated to the narrow driveway next to Nox’s townhouse.

“My baby!” Tony said as he threw his arms over the car’s hood and pressed his cheek against the warm metal.

“Nelson moved it and he’s been keeping an eye on it,” Nox explained as he handed Tony the keys.

“I owe him one,” Tony said, unlocking his door and leaning back as he cautiously opened it. “I left a sandwich in here so it’s probably going to smell ripe after a whole month. Thought I’d finish it for dinner,” he warned but Nox shook his head as he headed around to the passenger side.

“You think Nelson would allow that on his watch? He gave Pegasus an oil change last weekend so you should be good for a while.”

“Wow. I owe him big time, then,” Tony said as he got in and unlocked the passenger door for Nox. They were headed home to Silver Spring, so Tony could check on his mother and pick up some things. Nox had agreed to come to save everyone time, because Tony predicted she would have just as many questions as he did. “I’ll pick up something for Nelson from my cousin Marie’s bakery.”

“Great idea.”

“What’s his favorite kind of cake?” Tony asked as Nox buckled his seat belt.

Nox tapped his chin, then grinned widely. “He doesn’t eat a lot of sweets, but get him one of those custard cakes with all the pretty sliced fruit.”

“Does he actually like custard cakes?” Tony asked as he reversed, then turned toward Silver Spring. “Or is that what you’re in the mood for?”

“You might be onto me,” Nox replied with a shrug. “He does lean toward desserts with fresh fruit and he likes when I’m happy.”

“Of course, he does.”

It was a little more than half an hour to Silver Spring and they spent most of the ride in silence. Nox was content to enjoy the view while Tony wondered if Nox ever got tired of playing the main character or if Nelson ever chafed at playing the straight man and the sidekick. Regardless, Tony was grateful to have some backup as he parked and went to face his mother.

She had always been his best friend and confidant, but after a month away and numerous revelations, he didn’t know what to expect and how much she’d understand. Tony didn’t have a chance to drag his feet and stall, the front door swung open as soon as he pulled into the driveway and she ran out to meet him.

“My baby’s home!” she cried as she threw her arms around his middle.

“Hey, Ma!” Tony had meant to play it cool because he was supposed to be on a perfectly normal research trip, but he was crying as he hugged her and kissed her hair. “Missed you too,” he said, turning her toward the house as Nox followed.

“Where have you been? You’ve barely said a word and Nox and Nelson have been so odd, whenever I’ve called,” she said and wagged a finger at Nox as she got the door for them.

Nox gave her an apologetic wince. “We didn’t know how much of this would make sense and we didn’t want you to worry,” he attempted but she clicked her teeth, gesturing for them to follow her to the kitchen.

“Nonsense! I bet I know more than you give me credit for,” she said as she went to the stove for the kettle and filled it at the sink.

“I’ve realized that myself,” Tony said with a pointed look at his mother. She seemed like the same petite, sweet, silly woman who had raised him but she had kept secrets from Tony too. “Did you know about this Epona business?” he asked, getting straight to the point, and she whipped around, her eyes huge.

“What do you know?” she asked him, then risked a glance at Nox. “Did you tell him?”

He laughed and held up his hands innocently. “I certainly had no idea! How much do you know, Celia?”

Tony swore and slapped a hand over his eyes, dragging it down his face in frustration. “Why is everyone keeping secrets and why is a shitty merrow the only one who’ll be straight with me?”

“Oh! You met a merrow?” Celia asked excitedly and Tony blinked back at her.

“Yeah. I met a merrow, Ma. Remember how you said there was no such thing as monsters?” he started, making her cringe and whisper an apology. Tony snorted caustically, shaking his head. “It wasn’t a research trip. I was attacked by a monster and Nox sent me to Pooles Island so a merrow could nurse me back to health. Why didn’t you tell me there were demigods and monsters and merrows? Instead of telling me that everything would be alright and that I could be anything?”

“Oh, sweetheart…” She groaned as she took his hands. “We’ve stayed safe by staying secret. Most of the women in our family are Sisters of Epona and teachers and we’ve always known about them,” she said with a tip of her chin at Nox. “We’ve been here for as long as they have.”

“You knew about us?” Nox verified, earning a sly smile from Celia.

“We didn’t know if that part was true, but we came over with the Tuatha Dé and have served your family whenever we were called. My aunt Elena, was your father’s assistant for years.”

“Elena was your aunt? Remarkable!” Nox whispered but Tony let out an exhausted sigh.

“Kind of tired of all the revelations, if I’m being honest. So, most of the women in our family were Sisters?” he confirmed and she nodded. “And the men didn’t know?”

She gave him a patronizing look. “Imagine your uncle Sal keeping that kind of thing a secret. Your aunts and I aren’t as into scrapbooking and candle warmers as we let on and your Nonna wasn’t selling Tupperware.”

“Okay…” Tony rubbed his temple as an ache bloomed behind his right eye. “The women in my life were living double lives. What about my father? Was he somehow involved in this?” he asked, hopeful that he might finally learn something about the man who had provided half of his DNA.

But his hopes were dashed when Celia shrank and shook her head. “No. There’s no—” She stopped and bit down on her lips.

“No what?” Tony asked in confusion.

There was a loud gasp from Nox. “Celia!” he said as he swung toward Tony, his eyes huge.

“What?” Tony asked, leaning away from Nox.

She whimpered out another apology. “I didn’t know what to tell you, baby!” she said and Nox bit into his knuckle, squealing.

“Celia! This is—!” Nox waved a hand in front of his eyes as they watered. “I can’t wait to tell Merlin. He is going to flip !”

Tony grabbed Nox, giving him a shake. “Tell him what? Why is Merlin going to flip? Is he my dad? Because I will—” he couldn’t even finish the thought, Tony felt lightheaded and queasy.

“No!” Nox flailed his hands wildly. “That would be bonkers. You don’t have a dad, T. Your mom was a… Ahem .” He raised his brows suggestively but Tony didn’t get it.

“What do you mean, I don’t have a dad?” He turned to his mother, expecting her to laugh and say Nox was bonkers but she offered him a misty, apologetic look as she reached for his cheek.

“I’m so sorry, baby! I told you your father ran off because I didn’t know how to explain that…it just happened. I’ve never been with a man and you don’t have a human father.”

“Are you telling me I’m some kind of messiah?” Tony asked her and both Celia and Nox burst into laughter.

“No! Nothing like that,” she reassured him, but Tony’s face fell.

“Figures. I’m just an unwanted anomaly,” he said, then yelped when she pinched his arm.

“You watch your mouth!” Celia scolded. “You were never unwanted! I have loved you every moment of your blessed life, Anthony. Because that is exactly what you were: a blessing. ”

“You’re right.” Tony shushed her and pressed an obedient kiss to his mother’s cheek. “You were the best, Ma, and I always knew I was your special boy. I just didn’t realize how special,” he said with a sarcastic snort. “But how did it happen?”

She shook her head slowly as her gaze grew distant. “I still have no idea. It was my first year as a teacher and I had given my oath to serve Epona. I made a vow of chastity, like many Sisters of Epona,” she explained, then raised a hand to whisper behind it. “Which didn’t seem like much of a sacrifice at the time because I’ve never been attracted to men.”

“That was never a secret. You dated Kitty for four years,” Tony said flatly but he had assumed that there had been at least one man in his mother’s romantic past.

“She was a Sister, too, but she moved to Savannah and started her own chapter. I should call her, it’s been ages since we talked.”

“What about your oath?” Tony asked, trying to keep her focused.

“Right!” Celia laughed and waved it off. “It’s just been so long since I’ve even thought about Kitty and you know she?—”

“Ma!” Tony pressed his hands together. “What about the oath? What does that have to do with me not having a father?”

“Alright!” She shushed Tony, patting his chest. “I was saying: it was just after I took my oath when I found out I was expecting. I thought it was the end of the world and that I was going to get kicked out of the sisterhood and that your grandparents would kill me. But everyone was delighted, except for your grandfather. Apparently, it’s just a thing that happens from time to time, with the more devoted followers.”

“Come on!” Tony snorted dubiously and looked at Nox. “She’s talking about parthenogenesis. It’s not possible with humans and only happens in mythology with titans or Athena…or Jesus—a messiah,” he argued but Nox’s lips pulled into a hard line.

“How many times has Christianity borrowed from earlier belief systems?” he asked, raising a finger. “I’ve always found it very interesting that Mary was riding an ass when she arrived in Bethlehem and that Jesus rode one when he went to the temple to deliver one of his sternest sermons. We know that what may seem like an obvious, or mundane element in a parable is often a clue. And I believe that Mary was riding an ass because of her parthenogenetic pregnancy, like the Sisters of Epona. Christianity merely erased all the others because Mary was the only virgin who mattered to their narrative.”

“Oh…!” Tony’s mind was blown and he felt like a fool for not seeing it before. Asses, or donkeys, were as ubiquitous in the Middle East as cars and buses. Why would a donkey be featured so prominently, as if it was a key detail and truly mattered unless it did.

Nox made a knowing sound. “Epona is associated with horses— and donkeys, especially—because they symbolize patience, loyalty, wisdom… She was adopted by the Roman cavalry, to protect their horses and donkeys, and that was key to her survival as a Celtic goddess. But she represents not just fertility and horses, but the bond between humans and animals and the transmission of faith and knowledge.”

Celia pumped her fists and cheered. “That’s our girl! Instead of praying to Mary, like my good Catholic friends, I prayed to Epona. I devoted myself to her service and we worshipped a different trinity—the Dagda and his three,” she explained, earning a delighted gasp as Nox pressed his hand against the center of his chest, bowing to her.

“The light of all souls glows within you,” he said as he took her hand and gave it a squeeze. There was a euphoric gasp from Celia and she attempted to lower into a bow but Nox stopped her. “We’re family and if anyone should bow, it’s me. An abomination was made in my name in New Castle but you and the Sisters of Epona are blessings and more like what I’d hoped for.”

A disgusted grimace twisted Celia’s face. “That much evil would never please the Dagda. Not the good god. Not the god of light and love and learning.”

“Indeed,” Nox said warmly but Tony spluttered, baffled and frustrated by how easily they had glossed over the fact that he didn’t have a father.

“Hold on! Can we take a few steps back?” he requested. “I’m still stuck on the part where my entire life was a lie. Not just this business with Nox and the Dagda, but my entire being as well.”

“I’m so sorry, baby.” Celia pressed her hands together. “I didn’t tell you because it was part of my oath and it wouldn’t have made sense before. But I raised you with every bit of love I had in me and I encouraged you to love the world and learning because that is his way,” she said, nodding at Nox, then smiling at Tony. “We knew you’d be special because the boys always are. Then, when you went to Georgetown and signed up for his class, I knew it was a sign! And I was right! Now, my beautiful Anthony serves the good god,” she said, beaming proudly.

Nox smiled at Tony with similar affection. “That makes me sound high maintenance,” he said with a wink for Tony. “But he is my right hand and one of the best friends I’ve ever had, even if I don’t tell him as often as I should.”

“You tell me often enough,” Tony replied. “Just wish you could have shared a few other key details with me,” he added under his breath and Celia shushed him.

“He had his reasons! And you know now. This is a good thing, you’ll see! My grandmother told me that the last time one of us had a son, he became an oracle,” she said breathlessly.

“Me? An oracle?” Tony laughed, shaking his head. “Nox should go ahead and fire my worthless ass, then, because I would have picked up on some of this if I was a decent oracle.”

“Anthony Michael!” she whispered angrily.

Nox waved her off. “ Some are oracles. Tony’s disappointment is valid and he’ll come to understand soon enough. That’s why I’d like to keep him. I could use Tony’s hand with an extra tricky puzzle I’m working on for the FBI, and I want to catch him up on all the things we couldn’t show him before.”

She nodded quickly, her gaze bouncing between them. “That’s probably for the best. Can I make you lunch while you’re here?”

“No, we’re just here so I can pack—” Tony said but Nox shushed loudly and gave him a playful shove at the kitchen door.

“ He’s here to pack. I’m here to bask in your delightful presence and I can always eat, especially if Celia Costa is cooking.”

That was more cheese than even an Italian could stomach so Tony made his escape. Upstairs, Tony felt like he was snooping in someone else’s bedroom. Everything was just as he had left it and those were his library books and papers on the bedside tables, but Tony felt like a stranger as he lowered onto the bed.

It had only been a month, but a lifetime had passed since Tony had last slept in his room. He had aged and had traveled to a different world in that time and Tony was changed in ways that his mother and Nox wouldn’t understand. He was coping with more than an absurd array of magickal revelations, Tony was nursing a freshly broken heart and keeping a few secrets as well.