Page 91 of The Seer

“She can break it,” Sabrina assured them. She hopscotched along the boulders, as if she hadn’t had the workout of her life, and plopped down by his feet. Sitting cross-legged like she had all day, she propped her chin atop her fisted hands and stared at Taryn’s body. “She’ll do it, Papa. Aunt Taryn is more stubborn thanme.”

“Aye, and that’s pretty feckin’ stubborn, ya wee beastie,” Ronan agreed with a grin.

Damian huffed out a laugh and settled down beside his daughter to wait.

It felt like hours, but finally, a shadow shifted in the depths, causing the surface to ripple. Another two followed.

Taryn twitched. Not much, a mere curling of her fingers, then a flick of her wrist. The water around her began to swirl, gaining momentum until it was a rapidly churning whirlpool.

They all jumped to their feet, but Taryn’s body was sucked down within seconds. As Damina prepared to dive in, Sabrina clasped his hand.

“No, Papa. Wait.”

“Damian,” Noah called. “Look.”

Glancing in the direction his brother indicated, he sighed in relief.

Fintan and Ardghal were waking. They wouldn’t have left Taryn in limbo, this much he knew.

Across the distance of the pool, Ardghal met his eyes. “Take your family and clear out, Aether.”

“Tarynisfamily.”

“Granted, but she’s triggered Siren magic, and it’s best if none of you are here for this next part.”

Sabrina tugged on his hand. “It’s okay, Papa.”

Leaving before Taryn was fully awake went against the grain. Yet Ardghal had trusted him to care for them while they joined her in the metaphysical world. The least he could do is extend the favor and trust him in return.

With a nod, he rounded the others up and left.

CHAPTER28

“You should leave, too, Fin,” Ardghal said, after the others had gone.

“No. I’ve Siren DNA, and she’s my mate,” Fintan replied. “I’m never leaving her to fend for herself again.”

A bittersweet smile curled his ancestor’s mouth. “If I haven’t said it before, boy, you do our clan proud.”

Fintan wouldn’t have thought it, but Ardghal’s praise touched some long-forgotten need for paternal approval. Familial love wasn’t new to him, but his family was small. He extended his arm. The Siren prince reacted in kind, and clasping forearms, they mutually agreed to save the girl.

“Let’s go.” Ardghal waved his free arm toward the rocky ledge. A flat stone, wide enough to support them both, detached and sliced through the water until it was directly beneath them. In a musical language unknown to Fintan, Ardghal sang, and the water eagerly responded, gathering beneath the stone and acting as an escalator, guiding them to the grotto’s bottom. Taryn’s whirlpool had made a tunnel from floor to ceiling, allowing for easy breathing.

Fintan was grateful.

Yes, his Siren genes would’ve helped, but the energy required to survive underwater was great, and he wanted to be at full strength should Ardghal and Taryn need him to be.

“She’s awake!” he said, surprised to find her back with them. “Taryn!”

Facing them, she glared. Her visage was twisted with suspicion as her gaze darted between them.

“Why is she actin’ afraid?” he asked Ardghal in an aside.

Through narrowed eyes, Ardghal studied her, as warily as she them. With an abrupt laugh, he elbowed Fintan. “She thinks you’re trying to trick her, boy.”

Through their link, he said,“Why would you believe I’m after trickin’ ya, Taryn-Taryn?”

Relief flooded her face, and she shook her head with a snort.

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