Page 60 of Cathmoir's Sons

Kellan glances at me, her eyes soft and sympathetic. She squeezes my fingers.

Law comes up beside me and rubs his shoulder against mine. “My power’ll never hurt you, Lu.”

He’s told me that many times. I’m sure he believes it. But he doesn’t nearly crawl out of his skin every time Dad enters the room. He doesn’t understand how it feels.

“Best reason I’ve heard,” the demon says. “C’mon up to the house.”

We follow him up the path. He flicks his claws at the spider remains apologetically. “Fucking things are gettin’ bold. New trick for you, Goldipaws? Don’t remember you bein’ able to blast shit at range.”

As Law grumbles at the demon having a nickname for our mate, Kellan nods. “It broke a ward at Jedburgh Abbey. I’m going to need to find somewhere where I can’t knock down people or houses and find out how far it goes.”

“Pretty sure I can help you with that,” the demon offers. “If you take out a few Flaming Spiders or lurkers in the ditch.” He hooks a thumb over his shoulder. We all turn to follow hisgesture. At the base of the hill, hidden by the twisted landscape, there’s a deep, black crack in the ground. A hiss of steam rises from the chasm; places I don’t want to go. “That would be too bad.”

“I’ll see what I can do,” Kellan says as we begin trooping up the hill again. “How is everyone? I haven’t had a moment to catch up since Jedburgh Abbey.”

The demon nods. “All good. Nev’s got a new clutch.” He flashes a fanged grin over his shoulder. “Think I found a girl for Uzal.”

“A girl?” Kellan asks.

“Well,” the demon allows. “She’s got girl parts. I think. Haven’t inspected them myself. Sheseemslike a girl. I’ll let Uzal find out for sure.”

Kellan laughs. “And does she like Uzal?”

The demon tips his head from side to side in a swish of horns and dreadlocks. “Like’s a relative term, ain’t it? She’s only tried to kill him once. Maybe twice.”

“True love,” I murmur.

Kellan chuckles and squeezes my hand. “Soul mates for sure. Where did you find this girl?”

“She climbed outta the scrying pool in Tsara’s garden. Bit of a surprise. We all assumed the pool was one way. Claims she doesn’t have any memories before finding herself in the water. Says her name’s Despair. She has wings like mine, only white.” The demon flares said wings, creating a cloud of sparks and embers. “They burn like acid.”

“Acid?” Kellan asks. “That’s?—”

“Yeah, I know,” the demon responds. “Only the Eshazi have acid wings. Everyone thought Azhyyr was the last one. Looks like he might not be the only Air demon still kickin’ around. I only mention it ‘cause I know you’re an Air-witch and I can smell theAir on your boy there. She might come sniffin’. You don’t want her to feed on your magic. I think she’d find it real tasty.”

Kellan shudders. “Forewarned is forearmed.”

“Yeah,” the demon agrees.

The path levels out and winds around the top of the hill toward a door in the looming tower. As we approach the tower, what I thought were gray stones waver and shimmer. In my peripheral vision, they’re translucent, insubstantial.

“Illusion?” I ask Kellan.

She shakes her head. “Ash Hill’s a special place. Jou built it stone by stone. Then his wife wore away all the stones with her magic and replaced them with Air.”

“It’s atowerof Air-magic?”

“Uh-huh. See why it might attract an Air demon?”

I nod.

Chapter 17

The Ash Flower’s Garden

LAW

My mate is back in my arms. Willingly. Even in her unawakened state.

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