Page 12 of The Seer

“Rumor has it he’s not that into you, kid,” she said with a one-shoulder shrug. “I was just coming to tell you that Damian and his team are waiting for your little bauble.”

With a finger wave, she turned on her heel to leave.

“Taryn. Your sister’s not the enemy here,”he said through their private link.

“I know,” she snapped.“But that doesn’t give her the right to be mean,”she added silently.

Josie spun back, fiery and in high dudgeon. “Look, I’m only relaying a message here, okay? Don’t shoot the messenger because you’re in a nasty mood.”

Taryn dropped her head in her hands, missing her sister’s tormented expression.

“It’s past time to forgive her, aoibhneas mo croí.”

“I know that, too, Jiminy Cricket.”

He snorted, fully aware she did. Yet knowing and doing were oceans apart, and her unease screamed she wasn’t ready to dive into those waters without a life preserver. Josie was a damned shark when she had a mind to be, and he suspected Taryn avoided her, preferring to keep her hide intact.

“Mend the rift, love,”he urged.

“I hate being wrong,”she said.

“We all have to take our lumps, Taryn-Taryn.”

Lifting her head, she heaved a sigh so heartfelt that Fintan wanted to hold her and apologize to Josie on her behalf.

“I’m sorry, Jo,” she said. “The ‘I know’ wasn’t directed at you, and neither was my nastiness. Or it shouldn’t have been.”

With a wary look and a deep frown, the titian-haired beauty studied Taryn. “No one else spoke, T.”

“Not aloud, anyway.” She gestured with her thumb. “Looks like we’re fated mates, and Fintan gets to live in my head from here to eternity.”

Taryn’s words were meant to be flippant. But his throat tightened with the weight of the truth. This wasn’t a freak accident. Their bond was forever, whether they wanted it to be or not. Hearing it out loud felt more crushing than expected, and Fintan hated to be vulnerable.

Josie’s first reaction was an unhinged jaw. Her second was laughter, and she doubled over, holding her stomach.

“What the hell is so damned funny?” Taryn demanded.

Across the room, the fish in the tank sped up as if they had somewhere to be.

“Unless you’re after boilin’ your aquarium pets, I’d say to simmer down, yeah?” Fintan suggested.

“What?”

He pointed to the tank.

“Crap. Right. Thanks.” Taryn waved a hand toward the water, and her finned friends resumed their leisurely travels. With crossed arms, she tapped her toe. “Why is it funny, Jo?”

An affectionate smile transformed Josie’s visage, taking it from alluring to breathtaking. Although Fintan could appreciate her loveliness, her beauty didn’t have the power of Taryn’s engaging smile or her naughty grin when amused.

Reaching back, Taryn gripped his hand and squeezed.

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For finding me the attractive one.”

He frowned, uncertain why she lacked confidence in herself.“Are ya mad, then? Of course, you’re the attractive one!”

---