Page 46 of The Aether

“What the hell are you—”

“Shhhh, Papa!” She pointed to the sleeping pups. “The opposite of fear is hope and love.”

It took him a moment to digest her comment, but when he did, he shook his head. “You clever, clever girl.”

“If fear feeds him, hope and love make him weak, right?”

“You’re ever hopeful, and you love your hellhounds,” he concluded.

She grinned, and her already adorable features transformed, making her prettiness more pronounced. One day, she’d be a great beauty, rivaling his mother. Damian tried not to let his mind wander that far ahead or worry about what those types of looks could attract. Sabrina was smart, with the ability to see through to the heart of a person’s true nature.

He turned as Castor shouted his name.

“In here, Alex,” he called back.

Sitting next to her, Damian wrapped an arm around her shoulders and rested his cheek on the crown of her head. “I can’t leave you out here by yourself, Beastie. We have to save Josie.”

“Ronan can sit here with me, Papa.” She pointed to her protector when he arrived.

“What about Nate and Delaney? Should they be left alone?”

“Dubheasa’s with them,” Ronan said. “Have ya seen me Dove’s fierceness? She’ll not allow harm to come to anyone.”

“I don’t like having her outside the house. It makes me itchy,” Damian admitted.

When Castor bent to pet a dog, Sabrina lifted the one she’d named Willow and deposited her into his arms. “They need proper training, Uncle Alex. Papa says so.”

“Are you saying I’m supposed to train it?” he asked with a disbelieving laugh.

“No, silly. You’re supposed to bring her to Aunt Josie to hold. She needs to think happy thoughts.”

As a whole, their confusion showed.

Sabrina sighed like they were all the veriest of dimwits. “Josie needs to not think bad thoughts, or you won’t be able to get rid of Morcant’s tracker. Uncle Alex is cute, and so is the puppy.”

Ronan laughed and slapped Castor on the back. “Did ya hear her, then? She thinks you’re grand.”

“If you weren’t my nephew, I’d send you to hades.” Despite his surly reply, Alex cuddled the pup under his chin as he rose. “I guess I’ll see you inside.”

“Rumor has it you specifically requested me. What’s to be my role in all this, kid?” Trevor asked. His arms were crossed, and he stood a good fifteen feet away as if he were afraid to ruin the enchanting scene of a girl and her pups.

“Hi, Mr. Blane.”

He smiled. “Hi, Sabrina. What’s the plan to save your aunt? I know you have one.”

“You can bring her back.”

Frowning, he sought confirmation from Damian. “Not after she dies, I can’t. Once she’s gone, that’s it for me.”

“Youcan!” Sabrina insisted.

“Beastie.” Touching her cheek, Damian guided her head up so she could look at him. “That’s not within his power. He can heal, take a life, or obliterate a soul, but he can’t revive someone after death.”

“Yes, he can.”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t know how,” Trevor confessed.

Dumping the second puppy in Ronan’s lap, she climbed to her feet and crossed to the Death Dealer. Gesturing for him to lean down, she waited until his face was level with hers, then placed two fingers on each of his temples. “Learn.”

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