Page 41 of Dead Air
“Georgetown?” Niall verified and there was an ominous ache in his gut when they all smiled and nodded.
“This is Dr. Fletcher Bixby,” Shelby continued with a nod at the older gentleman with the glasses. “He’s the chief medical examiner with the Roanoke police department.”
There was another queasy ache. “Medical examiner?” Niall parroted, earning a tight nod from Shelby.
“He’s married to Dr. Arawn Cadwallader and that’s his brother, Bryn. This is Bryn’s husband, Everly Wells,” he said as he gestured at the twins and the glowing twink.
“Wow! Welcome to Shenandoah, everyone. What brings you up to my summit?” Niall asked enthusiastically, stepping out and setting his hands on his hips. He’d hoped to lighten the mood but received puzzled frowns and baffled blinks from everyone except Shelby.
Once again, he took the lead, catching Niall by the elbow and pulling him away from the door. “They’re here for you. They believe you’re in danger and I have reason to suspect you are as well.”
“Me?” Niall laughed and gave Shelby’s shoulder a playful punch. “You always worry but I’m fine. You should have called and I would have told you.”
“Your phone doesn’t seem to be working,” Shelby said with a hard look behind Niall, at the door.
The short, bald man, Mr. Oglethorpe, let out an impatient grunt, stabbing the ground with his staff. “Let us cut to the chase, lads. I did not climb all this way, endure all manner of flying and biting insects, and this abominable humidity to make small talk. There’s a demon here. We can smell him,” he announced, causing Shelby to flinch and mutter a curse.
“Look. I’m not sure about all of this,” he said as he pointed at the rest of his party. “I’ve seen and heard some things since we set out this morning, but I’m certain that Dr. Curn isn’t who he says he is,” he explained gently.
“I know,” Niall said simply, surprising Shelby and eliciting several loud gasps. “Chance told me the truth, that his name is really Cenn and he’s an…ancient being.”
“An ancient being?” Shelby said slowly, blinking rapidly. “So you believe this too.”
Mr. Oglethorpe let out a loud bark and stormed up to the porch. “An ancient being, you say? Come out here so we can have a look at you,” he challenged, giving the porch’s bottom step a demandingthudwith his staff.
They all waited, trading wary, pregnant glances but nothing happened. Finally, Niall cleared his throat. “Come on out, Cenn. Theyknowand I don’t think they’re leaving until we talk this out.”
Another sharp laugh erupted from Mr. Oglethorpe and there was an irritated sigh from Cenn as he stepped around the door and joined Niall in his strapping, hot lumberjack form.
“Morning, gentlemen,” he said, leaning against the door jamb and crossing his ankles.
“Your name is Cenn?” Mr. Oglethorpe’s beady eyes tightened as he scanned Cenn. “Very odd name, isn’t it?” he said as he turned, raising his brows at Professor MacIlwraith. “But we’veheard it before. And Chance Curn is an odd one as well.” He used the end of his staff to scratch the name on the bottom step, making Niall and Everly gasp as the sizzling blue letters remained etched into the wood. Then, Mr. Oglethorpe crossed through the C, E, N, and N.
CH ANCEC U RN
“Cruach. He is Cenn Cruach,” Professor MacIlwraith said in a heavy, shaking whisper.
Cenn bowed his head. “Lord Smoak at your service,” he drawled.
A loud growl swelled from one of the twins and Mr. Oglethorpe’s eyes were wild as he aimed the crystal on his staff at Cenn. Niall whistled and waved, hoping to calm everyone down.
“It’s okay! I know that he’s a…demon,” he said quietly. “But he won’t hurt me and I trust him.” He slid Cenn a warning glare, then smiled at Mr. Oglethorpe. “He told me what he is and why he’s here and I’ve made peace with that.” Niall tilted his chin back, nodding defiantly.
“Did he?” Mr. Oglethorpe asked, gasping excitedly before smiling mischievously at Cenn. “Did he also tell you that Cenn Cruach is not justanyold, garden variety demon?” He climbed the stairs, avoiding the name on the bottom one. “He is thefirstand the father of all demons, aren’t you?” he asked when he reached the top and leaned to see around Niall.
“The…father of demons?” Niall said hoarsely as he turned to Cenn.
He nodded slowly, his eyes glued to Niall’s boots. “I was a little unclear about that.”
“Huh.” Niall swallowed the dry lump clogging his throat.
“And why did he say he was here?” Mr. Oglethorpe whispered from behind Niall’s shoulder.
“To protect me,” he answered weakly but already knew that Cenn had been unclear about that as well.
Mr. Oglethorpe chuckled wryly. “Is that so?”
“I’m protecting himnow,” Cenn growled, pushing away from the door so he could pull Niall closer and slide an arm around his shoulders. “No one will ever hurt him again.”
