Page 36 of Pints & Potions

“I’m capable of protecting myself, you scut.” He rubbed the back of his neck as his attention tracked to Piper again. “I’m worried, man. I don’t want her getting hurt because of my past.”

“There will be six of us searching those woods; one of which has the power of a god. Knox is devoted to protecting Spring and, by extension, her family. Piper’s as safe as she can be.”

Cian kept his own counsel on the dangers the Thornes always seemed to attract because there were times when their luck seemed as faulty as the O’Malleys’.

“Why won’t you take a chance on her, Cian? She’s not Moira,” Ryker said with an oddly gentle tone.

Irritation was instantaneous, and Cian glared at his long-time friend. “I know she’s not Moira. She’s ten times the woman that she-devil was.” When he saw Ryker’s compassion, Cian wanted to swear a blue streak. From across the room, the others were staring in their direction. He grimaced once he realized how loud his response must’ve been to draw their notice.

“I’m after apologizing. Moira’s a sore subject.”

“I get it, Cian, and I’ll say no more.”

The words Ryker left unsaid were ringing in Cian’s ears.

“When we return from Glencar, I’d appreciate if you could see what you can discover for me about Baran. I’m right worried about my family. Carrick’s had enough drama for a lifetime, and Bridget has her hands full with business. The twins are in New York and I doubt they’d be on anyone’s radar, but I’ll not take chances with their lives as defenseless as they are.”

“Consider it done.” Ryker’s words were clipped with anger, but Cian knew the rough emotion wasn’t directed at him. They both understood the vulnerability of having a family to care for.

The woodsby Glencar Falls created a thick canopy, thereby keeping the ground below in deep shadow. Magic haunted the woods and pulsed all around them. Cian could feel it tickling his skin and trying to touch a deeper part of him where the answering magic should reside.

“Here’s an image of the root we need.” Spring passed the picture around. “It’s not a common one, and I intend to enchant the area so it can be found by us while we’re in these woods. Once we’re done, the spell should preserve the root in case we need more. I also intend to plant this in my garden at home as a backup.”

“What are we looking for?” Piper asked as she passed the photo to Cian.

Spring squatted and slowly ran the tips of her fingers over a viny plant by her feet. A faint lime-green light flickered to life. “It will look like this and be located at the base of the trees. Exactly which ones, I don’t know.”

“Other than me, mortals won’t be able to see it, then?” he asked.

Spring smiled and the world seemed like a better place. As certain as the sun rose in the sky each day, that woman had a powerful pure spirit.

“You’re not mortal, Cian,” she said in her melodic voice. “You’re simply without abilities. For now. Breaking your curse is our next order of business.”

“Good luck with that,cailín.No one’s been able to reverse it for over two centuries.”

“Because they’re not me and they haven’t solved the riddle Bridget told us about. But I will.”

He grinned in the face of her confidence. “I believe you.”

“Good. Now, there are six of us here and I need your help for this to work. Everyone join hands, please.”

Cian leaned toward Piper and placed his lips by her ear. “Is she always this bossy?”

“Pfft. They all are. It’s hell being part of this family some days.”

Drawing back slightly, he studied her face.

She was serious!

She belonged to one of the greatest magical lines in existence and she was discontent?

“They all seem to care for you, darlin’. What’s the real problem?”

“Sometimes I despise magic and being part of all this,” she confessed, darting a look toward the others. “I want to live my life like a normal person without trouble attached to my name. There’s no absence of drama with the Thornes, Cian. So I suppose it’s a good thing you don’t want any involvement.” She gave him a bland smile and twisted slightly to clasp Ryker’s hand on her opposite side.

“Cian?”

To his left, Spring waited to join hands. “Sorry.”

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