Page 7 of The Tides of March

“Wow. I owe him big time, then,” Tony said as he got in and unlocked the passenger door for Nox. They were headed hometo Silver Spring, so Tony could check on his mother and pick up some things. Nox had agreed to come to save everyone time, because Tony predicted she would have just as many questions as he did. “I’ll pick up something for Nelson from my cousin Marie’s bakery.”

“Great idea.”

“What’s his favorite kind of cake?” Tony asked as Nox buckled his seat belt.

Nox tapped his chin, then grinned widely. “He doesn’t eat a lot of sweets, but get him one of those custard cakes with all the pretty sliced fruit.”

“Does he actually like custard cakes?” Tony asked as he reversed, then turned toward Silver Spring. “Or is that what you’re in the mood for?”

“You might be onto me,” Nox replied with a shrug. “He does lean toward desserts with fresh fruit and he likes when I’m happy.”

“Of course, he does.”

It was a little more than half an hour to Silver Spring and they spent most of the ride in silence. Nox was content to enjoy the view while Tony wondered if Nox ever got tired of playing the main character or if Nelson ever chafed at playing the straight man and the sidekick. Regardless, Tony was grateful to have some backup as he parked and went to face his mother.

She had always been his best friend and confidant, but after a month away and numerous revelations, he didn’t know what to expect and how much she’d understand. Tony didn’t have a chance to drag his feet and stall, the front door swung open as soon as he pulled into the driveway and she ran out to meet him.

“My baby’s home!” she cried as she threw her arms around his middle.

“Hey, Ma!” Tony had meant to play it cool because he was supposed to be on a perfectly normal research trip, but he wascrying as he hugged her and kissed her hair. “Missed you too,” he said, turning her toward the house as Nox followed.

“Where have you been? You’ve barely said a word and Nox and Nelson have been so odd, whenever I’ve called,” she said and wagged a finger at Nox as she got the door for them.

Nox gave her an apologetic wince. “We didn’t know how much of this would make sense and we didn’t want you to worry,” he attempted but she clicked her teeth, gesturing for them to follow her to the kitchen.

“Nonsense! I bet I know more than you give me credit for,” she said as she went to the stove for the kettle and filled it at the sink.

“I’ve realized that myself,” Tony said with a pointed look at his mother. She seemed like the same petite, sweet, silly woman who had raised him but she had kept secrets from Tony too. “Did you know about this Epona business?” he asked, getting straight to the point, and she whipped around, her eyes huge.

“What doyouknow?” she asked him, then risked a glance at Nox. “Did you tell him?”

He laughed and held up his hands innocently. “I certainly had no idea! How much do you know, Celia?”

Tony swore and slapped a hand over his eyes, dragging it down his face in frustration. “Why is everyone keeping secrets and why is a shitty merrow the only one who’ll be straight with me?”

“Oh! You met a merrow?” Celia asked excitedly and Tony blinked back at her.

“Yeah. I met a merrow, Ma. Remember how you said there was no such thing as monsters?” he started, making her cringe and whisper an apology. Tony snorted caustically, shaking his head. “It wasn’t a research trip. I was attacked by a monster and Nox sent me to Pooles Island so a merrow could nurse me back to health. Why didn’t you tell me there were demigods andmonsters and merrows? Instead of telling me that everything would be alright and that I could be anything?”

“Oh, sweetheart…” She groaned as she took his hands. “We’ve stayed safe by staying secret. Most of the women in our family are Sisters of Epona and teachers and we’ve always known about them,” she said with a tip of her chin at Nox. “We’ve been here for as long as they have.”

“You knew about us?” Nox verified, earning a sly smile from Celia.

“We didn’t know ifthat partwas true, but we came over with the Tuatha Dé and have served your family whenever we were called. My aunt Elena, was your father’s assistant for years.”

“Elena was your aunt? Remarkable!” Nox whispered but Tony let out an exhausted sigh.

“Kind of tired of all the revelations, if I’m being honest. So, most of the women in our family were Sisters?” he confirmed and she nodded. “And the men didn’t know?”

She gave him a patronizing look. “Imagine your uncle Sal keeping that kind of thing a secret. Your aunts and I aren’t as into scrapbooking and candle warmers as we let on and your Nonna wasn’t selling Tupperware.”

“Okay…” Tony rubbed his temple as an ache bloomed behind his right eye. “The women in my life were living double lives. What about my father? Was he somehow involved in this?” he asked, hopeful that he might finally learn something about the man who had provided half of his DNA.

But his hopes were dashed when Celia shrank and shook her head. “No. There’s no—” She stopped and bit down on her lips.

“No what?” Tony asked in confusion.

There was a loud gasp from Nox.“Celia!”he said as he swung toward Tony, his eyes huge.

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