Page 138 of Cathmoir's Sons

“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’twantto 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 sinceher 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?”

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