Page 121 of Home to the Hollow

“Um, sorry about… almost knocking you down. I was… well, I wasn’t watching where I was going because I have to get food for these guys. Seeing as we just met, I had to hit the web for answers. They didn’t seem keen on pizza.”

Chuckling, I tilt my head, listening to the delightfully jumbled explanation. I don’t know how she could be any more perfect if she tried—I get the sense this woman is chaos in a bottle and there’s nothing I love more than entropy. “It’s grand, Tíogair. I’ve got my stout, you’ve got your beasties, and we’ll be on our way in no time.”

“Absolutely.” She eyes me with a look that says she’s not thrilled with my easygoing humor, and that makes me even happier. Jolene has some fight in her, and that’s bloody hot. I’d prefer a spitfire that gives as good as she gets. “Let’s go, Jekyll. Come on, Hyde. We have groceries to locate and food to cook. No sense wasting any more time dilly dallying in the snack aisle.”

Jaysus, Mary, and the Holy Rollers, I might be in love.

When I don’t respond, she flicks her ponytail over her shoulder and marches off towards the other end of the store with her animals in tow. I stand there, looking at the spot she left, considering my options. I could follow her, but I sense she’s just not ready for any kind of social interaction at the moment. It felt like she was on the edge, and pushing her wouldn’t lead to the result I want.

So I sigh, clutching my beer and food, and head in the opposite direction to the registers. Tonight is not the moment, and for someone like me, time is irrelevant. I can wait for the right time because I have the feeling it will besomuch sweeter if I do.

Might be time to give my dear old auntie a call and see what her acolytes say about the future of the girl who might be the first mate I’ve found in a millennia.

* * *

“We must watch her, Doyle.”

I roll my eyes, sighing as my auntie glares at me from the gleaming chaise. Her owl, Nyctimene, is perched on an ornate stand watching our conversation. The damned thing was human once, and despite my auntie rescuing her from a truly tragic life, she’s no happier as a bird than she was when she was human. Odie shuffles on my shoulder, letting out a sharp caw to warn the bitter avian not to come any closer, and I laugh. That lazy arsed animal wouldn’t move to defend herself, much less come after me directly.

“Your pet is spoiled, auntie, and entirely too comfortable acting confrontational to superior beings,” I reply as I slouch in my chair. I know it drives her crazy that I favor my father so heavily, and that neither he nor my mother could give a flying pig’s fart about me. She’s the only biological relative who will even acknowledge my existence, and it’s a topic of great controversy.

I care even less than they do. We all are far too old and far too immortal to quibble for affection that isn’t freely given.

“Nyctimene is exactly who she chooses to be in this life. She could not say that before, and it was part of my promise to her,” my aunt says, giving me a reproving glare. “Sit up, dear. Your bearing is too casual for our locale.”

Bloody Mary, full of vodka. Ihatethis place. My mother’s refusal to claim me means I only visit when I choose, and I’m grateful for that. The Mount is stuffy and formal, full of arrogant beings that are no longer as important as they were many eons ago. Their boredom makes for a multitude of squabbles and infighting—something I’d enjoy heartily if I could watch it—but otherwise, I’m not interested in having everything from my posture to my attire judged based on some ancient bullshit.

“It’s 2021, auntie. You realize that no amount of enforced formality will elevate your family to its former glory, right? The Golden Age has passed, and only the witches and shifters worry about the old ones. You don’t need to act if vase makers are going to line up to have you pose.”

Her eyes darken and she rises, stalking over to me with the bearing of her kind. “You will respect our traditions, Doyle, even if you haven’t been invited to participate. I will never convince your mother to admit her connection if you gad about looking like a peasant.”

Why did I come here before I drank? Rookie mistake, Haggerty.

“First of all,” I say as I stand, stretching my long limbs lazily. “No one says ‘gad about’ anymore. Second, I came to visit because, as per our agreement, I had information you might find pertinent. You say the girl must be protected, so clearly the whispers from your little cult see her as important. Therefore, I’ve done my job well and should be rewarded.”

“I don’t find your sarcasm cute, nephew. You are correct; you did what you’ve been dispatched to do. However, simply completing your tasks doesn’t earn you anything besides your continued employment and comfortable lifestyle. Your generation is tiresome—always with demands and needing praise. I can’t abide it,” she replies as she approaches and straightens my collar.

Humans would be amazed to discover there’s a generation more irritating than Boomers, but here we are.

“Got it. Basic necessities are a luxury and we’re all lazy. Thanks for imparting yourwisdomas always, auntie. I should probably get moving…”

Her eyes darken and she throws her head back, a gasp escaping her mouth as the projected vision hits her. I’m not worried—I’ve seen her weird handmaidens do this before, and despite the dramatic nature of it, it will pass in a moment. The voice that speaks is not hers; instead, I believe it’s one the Fates, because it’s loud and booming.

“The destiny of the true lost ones is now set. Their paths shall not meet until the sun sets on the land of the king and queen, but once they are reunited, the journey must be completed to save their worlds. Guard the locked cage, for when it open fully, the seven will free and the end of the twin’s terror will begin.”

My brows furrow as I wait for the spirit of the prophecy to leave her. Auntie is one of the strongest children in the family, so she can handle this, but I always worry. Nitpicky or not, she’s the only real family I have. “You have to give those bitches credit; their timing is always im-fucking-peccable.”

Black eyes blink at me until they return to the clear blue of her normal features. When the tension finally seeps from her form, my aunt returns to her chaise, resting her elbows on her knees as she breathes slowly. “Doyle, I do not know what the Fates meant by this message, but I need you to keep it in mind. I have not had a vision of this strength pass through my conduits for many, many years.”

Sighing, I nod. “I will, auntie. Will you be okay to rest alone or should I call one of the maidens in?”

She snorts, shaking her head. “We’re waiting on new staff members. My idiot brother has been… irresponsible again and my darling sister-in-law exercised her queenly powers to eject the lot of them. Every time this happens, it gets harder to find replacements.”

I snort. Oh, my uncle is probably the stupidest dude bro to ever live, and I’m actually quite grateful that I never have to deal with him. “I will contact you when I have more information. Get some rest… this one was a doozy.”

As I’m walking out the door, I hear her calling after me. “Our kind doesn’t have mates, nephew. Don’t be a fool.”

We’ll just see about that darling auntie.

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