Page 48 of Crown of Tides and Fury

I reminded myself how lucky I was and nodded. But just in case some tidbit of information fell out of his mouth, I wrapped my arm around his and stalked through the house with him, listening to his story about some pub on the coast where 18thcentury Highlanders used to change their clothes so no one would know they were Jacobites.

Now that I knew a few Jacobites, I suspected any of them would have been recognized on the spot, no matter what they wore.

Just outside Kitch’s bedroom door, he stopped and gave me a funny look. “Do ye intend to come inside, then?”

“I guess not.” I laughed. “But maybe I should hold onto your phone…while you change out of your Jacobite clothes?”

He tilted his head. “I wouldnae be a verra clever Jacobite if I allowed that.”

* * *

With everyone gatheredaround the table in the dining room, Everly suggested we listen to the recording while we ate. “Wickham’s not here, so no business at the table shouldn’t apply, right?”

“Impatient Americans,” Kitch said, giving Everly, Persi, and myself an accusatory look before placing his phone in the center of the table and tapping it.

I had never heard such silent chewing in my life. No utensils banged against plates. The tablecloth muffled the sound of water goblets being lifted and lowered. And thankfully, we hadn’t been served anything close to raw carrots. Every now and then, someone would clear their throat, but for the most part, we stared at Kitch’s phone and glanced up at each other to see if others were hearing the same thing.

Some obvious statements stood out.

“Mr. Muir, Dominic, these are my wives.”

Two wives? That was just creepy.

“The Covenant has been broken.”It was Wickham’s voice. Loud, clear, and deep.

“Nay. Never.”

“Auch, aye. Believe it.”

“I would never allow it! Shall never allow it.”

“I was there when it was done, though I didnae ken what the consequences would be. I had no ken of The Covenant…or any of it…then.”

“For ye, how long has it been, since…it happened?”

“Six years.”

“Six years! Are ye mad?”

“How were we to ken how precious time would become?”

Later on…

“I am dead? I am dead. And ye’re…the Seanair!”There was a commotion. The old man’s voice was suddenly loud and clear as well.“When? When do ye kill me, ye bastard?”

“Relax,Seanair. I had no such ambition. I dinnae want it even now. But I was given no choice.”

Kitch nodded. “This is when the women brought out drinks, if I remember right.”

The old man had a warning.“Ambition! First thing, ye must find the Fae that has escaped…”

“Escaped…what?”

“A realm within this realm. Not a pleasant place.”

“We believe we ken who he is. A Fae who calls himself Orion.”

“Orion? A taunt for me, I reckon. I don’t suppose I’ll be around long enough to face him one last time?”A short pause.“I knew him, ye ken. Would recognize him again. Mayhap ye should take me back with ye?”

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