Page 162 of Cathmoir's Sons

“He is corrupted,” the Mother whispers. “That is true. He has festered, wrapped in his bark, bound in his fears. Will you cleanse my Summerlands?”

“Yes, Mother,” Hraena says.

Her cowled head tips back to look up at the sky. “You have called me. You have given me your words and I take them into my heart and find them true. When the moon sets, take your army into the Oak King’s court and invoke me. I will come and give you my answer.”

“Yes, Mother,” we chorus.

“Be well, my daughters,” the Mother says before she shimmers into mist.

I take a deep breath to fill lungs that feel scorched by the moonlight. Hraena squeezes my hand.

“I’ve never seen the Mother before,” I say to my sister, feeling tears well now that she’s gone.

“Nor I,” Hraena admits. “I’ve thought I heard her sometimes, but I’ve never seen her so clearly, spoken to her, answered her questions, and felt her gaze on me. It’s a heavy thing.”

“It is,” Hraena and Didrane agree.

“It’s a hateful thing,” Brangwy says. “Don’t ask it of me again.”

I shake my head, not understanding how Brangwy could feel the Mother’s presence as hateful. I felt judged, but not unkindly. Not without love or understanding.

“I need to make a call,” I say. “We should all get some sleep before the moon sets.”

Didrane flutters up into the tree again and tips her beak to the moon. I don’t think she intends to sleep. And I’m not sure how much sleep I’ll get, to be honest. But I’ll curl up with my consorts and close my eyes, bask in their warmth and love. And if the Mother’s answer at moon rise is no, then my final hours will have been spent as joyously as possible.

But there’s someone I need to talk to first.

Technology and magic are rarely friends, and when I check my phone, there’s no signal. But Luca’s laptop is warded to the teeth and seems to work anywhere, so it doesn’t surprise me when I sneak his phone off the huge desk the boys share that it has signal. I’ve seen him open his phone often enough that I’ve figured out the symbol he uses: the rune katta. Before I even lift my finger to trace it across the screen, the phone unlocks.

Blinking mistily at my consort’s devotion, I take the phone and slip back out onto the porch. Hraena, Kathu, and Brangwy have gone to their respective beds, leaving the garden still and empty. The white crow in the tree nearby doesn’t seem disturbed as I dial, and I don’t mind her hearing what I have to say.

The phone rings a few times before my dad picks up. He sounds sleepy. It is getting late.

“Dad, sorry, did I wake you?”

“From where he fell asleep in his chair watching the game,” my mother says in the background.

Dad chuckles. “It’s okay, Kells. Patriots are down seven. Not worth staying awake for.”

I look up at the moon as I try to find the words I need to say to my parents. “I’m just calling because Imbolc is coming, and I wondered if you had plans.”

“Just dinner with Mitch and Chelsea. I know I’m asking too much but?—”

“No, no, you’re not asking too much. If that’s an invitation, I’d like to come.”

“Wonderful,” Dad says while my mom whoops in the background.

“Bring that handsome young man,” my mother shouts.

“I will. I, uh, I’ll actually be bringing three handsome young men.”

Dad’s breath catches. “Three?”

“Yeah, Dad, three. They make me happy.”

Dad clears his throat. “Well, that’s what matters, but?—”

“You’ve met them. You met Luca at the grand opening and Law was the man wearing the mask. He’s Luca’s twin. They’re catshifters. Cait Sidhe.”

---