Page 108 of Cathmoir's Sons

Law picks up on my mood. As we circle Rhodes, Kellan rubbing his back and me leaning against him with my armaround his waist, Law positions himself on Kellan’s far side, crosses his arms over his chest. He glares at Lords.

Give my brother his due, he can look imposing when he wants.

“I won’t take up much of your time,” Lords says, his expression sheepish. “I have the beginnings of a theory I want to run by you.”

Kellan nods and Law drops his arms, sliding one around Kellan’s shoulders.

“I couldn’t understand the connection to Hell,” Lords says as he examines the titles of the books I’ve stacked on the desk. “On one side of the alliance, we have a group of higher plane powers. Their focus is global. They don’t care about mortals except as mortals now have the ability to influence the world’s weather. On the other side of the alliance, we have demonic powers who are solely concerned with mortals as their source of nourishment. There didn’t seem to be any intersection of interests.”

My brother gets there first. “Unless the demons were manipulating Bromios and his cabal to create human misery to feed off.”

Lords clears his throat. “That’s my theory.”

“And they want to make sure you’re out of their way because as the Capricorn you have the ability to change the weather and a calling to protect mankind,” Rhodes muses.

Lords nods. “I think it might have been opportunistic, at least at first. But the demons were surely aware of what the Hale family was doing, even before Baron Ash became involved?—”

“Licyssa and the other demon lords of the Dransbych and Olt most particularly,” Kellan says. “They’re closest to our plane. They’re the most likely to have sensed the use of the gates. No wonder Nimanes came snooping.”

Lords nods. “And there have been hellhounds involved from the beginning. I doubt the demon lords keep tabs on every barghest, but between the Wild Hunt that Pertcha called and the army at Jedburgh Abbey, they’d surely have noticed the number that have gone missing.”

“I despise this alliance,” Kellan says, tipping her head against Rhodes’ shoulder. “If the enemy of our enemy is our friend, maybe it’s time to approach Mordeh.”

Lords groans. “Do we have to involve yet another demon lord?”

“I’m open to suggestions but I think we should at least know why she went against her mother and an alliance that could have brought her more souls and more power,” Kellan responds. “She must have had strong reasons. If we can use those reasons to our advantage, it might level the playing field. There are three greater powers and at least one but probably two demon lords stacked against us. I don’t like these odds.”

I pat the hand she has resting on Rho’s back. “C’mon, five Crow Queens can take three greater powers and two demon lords any day.”

Kellan smiles wryly at me and shakes her head. “I appreciate your faith but I’m not so sure. Didrane will not take sides. She’s famously neutral, even among the five of us. Kathu and Brangwy said they’ll rise with me against the Oak King, but this is a different matter. I trust Hraena with our lives, but two Crow Queens and one demon lord against those who stand against us ...” She shakes her head.

“Two Crow Queens, one demon lord, and the Cait, my queen,” Law says.

“Of course.” She kisses his cheek. “Still, I’d prefer to divide our enemies.”

“Let me take up that cause for you after I’ve secured the town and the site where you’ll be working,” Law says. “While I don’trelish trips to Hell, I see eye to eye with Baron Ash. He’s a good hunting companion.”

“High praise,” Kellan teases gently. “Gabe and Darwin might be good additions to the party. It can’t hurt to show that we have allies in many places.”

Law nods. “When are you planning on making the first dive?”

“Low tide. Four hours. Viv’s meditating and then we’ll head across the Straits to Torre Faro.”

Lords clears his throat. “Have you mentioned it to Teddy?”

“No, and you won’t, either,” Kellan says. “I’m not letting my pregnant Earth-witch friend into an area rife with sharks, rival teams, and a legendary monster.”

I canfeelLaw restrain himself. I give him a reassuring mental bump. Kellan’s an expert. She’s not going to endanger herself any more than she would her friend.

“She’ll be disappointed,” Lords warns.

“Better disappointed and safe,” Kellan responds. “I know Teddy’s chafing. That she’d even consider relocating to Bevington to cover my classes tells me she’s feeling cooped up at Thistlemist.”

“It should also tell you that Teddy’s an excellent friend.”

“I don’t need to be told that,” Kellan says. “This is me being a good friend to her. I know the risks of initial exploration of a recovery site. Let me do my thing, Evan.”

Lords dips his head. “My apologies. You’re right. I shouldn’t indulge Teddy as much as I do.”

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