Page 15 of The Tides of March

“Who was he?”

“How the hell would I know?” Ronan asked, leaving Tony next to the bed. “He wasn' wearin’ any clothes and his name wasn’ tattooed on his body.”

“What do they think happened?”

“Don’t think they can tell yet. All I know is a lad died and he’s here now.”

“Holy shit,” Tony whispered. “When did it happen and how do they think he got here?”

Ronan gave Tony an impatient scowl as he went to turn on the kettle and start a fire. He was worried that Tony had been out too long. But for once,Ronanwas chilled to the bone after seeing that poor lad and was deeply troubled by how much he lookedlike Tony. It was too easy to imagine Tony being zipped into that body bag and Ronan wanted answers too.

“I’ll ask them to forward ye the report,” Ronan muttered at the stove.

Tony wasn’t fazed and made a thoughtful sound as he rubbed his chin. “You think this could have anything to do with that demon kid who attacked us?”

“Aye… It might,” Ronan conceded slowly. “If that wasn’t the work of somethin’ natural,” he cautioned. “But I wouldn’ worry about it yet. Let the Coast Guard decide whose problem the poor thing is.”

“You’re probably right,” Tony said, yawning as he pulled the rest of his layers over his head and shoved his jeans down. He stepped out of them and tried to retrieve them from the floor but fell against the side of the bed.

Ronan let out a weary groan as he crossed the cottage. “Let me,” he said and lifted Tony, easily sweeping back the covers. He tucked Tony in and gathered his clothes. “We’ve got enough troubles of our own.”

A soft chuckle slipped from Tony as he wiggled his shoulders and pulled the covers up to his neck. “That is true. Why am I still as weak as a newborn kitten and how do you get rid of a pesky human?”

“Somethin’ like that,” Ronan concurred and went back to preparing their tea. He should have known that the cottage was too quiet and wasn’t at all surprised to find Tony snoring softly by the time the pot was ready. “Just as well.” Ronan prepared himself a cup and went to his chair by the fireplace.

Once again, he found himself building the fire up until the room was uncomfortably hot, but Ronan couldn’t chase away the chill he felt whenever he recalled the sight of that boy in the tide pool. Nothing about it seemed natural and Ronan was afraid that the incident was somehow connected to Tony’s arrival onthe island. It was all too much of a coincidence: so many strange things happening so close together when damn near nothing ever happened on Pooles Island.

“Nope. Don’ like it one bit,” Ronan stated in a low rumble, not wanting to disturb Tony. Their walks on the beach would have to wait, unfortunately. “Gonna do what we can to keep ye inside for the time bein’.”

Seven

Despite feeling like a square peg that had been jammed into a round hole, Tony had settled into a comfortable routine at Nox’s place. He was still having strange, vivid dreams about Ronan and woke up throughout the night in excruciating pain. But it was nice being able to sleep in since Nox lived within walking distance of the university. And something was always happening at the townhouse. Merlin was often popping in with a reply from one of his contacts or Fletcher Bixby would drive up from Roanoke with a report or a similar case.

The twins, Arawn and Bryn, were regular visitors. Tony had been thoroughly stunned when he was told that they were hellhounds from the Wild Hunt, and that Bryn’s beloved Everly was a changeling. The unlikely pair was engaged and their upcoming wedding was another frequent topic of conversation at the townhouse. But Tony was warded and warned to be on guard around the incredibly beautiful and curiously small young man.

“Everly’s a muse. You don’t want to risk becoming obsessed,” Nox had explained.

He was being a lot more open, but Nox whispered that it might be best if Tony stepped out when Nelson arrived with another file.

“The Coast Guard sent this an hour ago,” he had informed them before Nox flashed Tony a sheepish wince and tried to shoo him off.

“I’ve been back and helping for over a month but you’re still treating me like a child,” Tony muttered as he snatched his backpack from the sofa.

“Alright. You two: out,” Nox said to Nelson and Merlin, pointing at the door. He waited until it shut behind them to pass Tony a crime scene photo. “Here,” he said quietly. His voice trembled like the photo as he waited for Tony to take it. “I can’t help but shield you from the darkness, T. I’d hide it all from you to save as much of your beautiful light as I can.”

“I’m not a child,” he repeated and Nox shook his head quickly.

“I know. I don’t do it because I think you’re a child, but because I love you. Exposure to this much pain and evil can be corrosive,” he explained tenderly but Tony didn’t see much of a difference.

“I can take it.”

“Of course, you can.” Nox’s head tilted and his eyes were soft and shimmered as he studied Tony, adding salt to an already bitter wound. “But that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t spare you as much pain as possible. I’d do the same for Nelson.”

“Sure you would,” Tony said with a dry snicker but it faded when his eyes dropped to the picture. “Christ,” he whispered at the twisted, lifeless body of a young man. Like the others, he was naked and covered in round welts and bruises. “Another one.”

“Another one,” Nox confirmed sadly. “Wouldn’t it have been enough if I had just told you? Did you need to see him too?” he asked and Tony nodded jerkily. “But I can see more ofthat magick light dimming,” Nox said, his voice cracking as he watched Tony.

He raised a shoulder, mesmerized by the horror on the page. “Not as much as his. He was a light too and it was completely snuffed out.”

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