Chapter 13

CIARA

She doesn't argue with me, the Morrígan. Red. There's a wistful look on her face, as if she's mourning something that's now lost forever, and I know how she feels.

It stings, knowing that she could understand me all this time, but it doesn't feel like betrayal. Perhaps that's because when she did listen, she responded. I think back to afternoons sat in the sun, and to last night, crying into her fur. Whatever Red did, she did for me.

I feel it as surely as I felt Robert's presence, last night.

Was it only last night? It feels like a lifetime ago.

I don't know how to process all that's happened: the return of my ex-husband; his death; my favorite wolf turning out to be an ancient goddess. It really is all far too unbelievable. Impossible.

Impossible for who though?

I watch as Red rises and moves with small bird-like steps towards the couch. When she stumbles, I want to reach out and help her, but something stops me. I think it's the way she holds her head up. I'm not sure she'd thank me for my help.

Tough.

I take her arm and lead her to the couch, making sure to settle her down gently.

She shoots me an imperceptible look, but I merely raise my eyebrows. "I'm sorry, should I not help you?" There's a soft whine from the wolf by the door. "What's wrong with him?"

"You're challenging me; it's not something they see very often." But she's smiling as she says it, as if my defiance amuses her, and when she looks at the wolf something passes between them and he settles down. "Go on," she says, her voice soft. "Go tell the Pack that we are both fine."

I'd question the use of the word fine, but it seems to satisfy the wolf who yips and pads off towards the forest.

Getting up to close the door, I stop when Red holds out a hand. "If I really have done for that man" —the distaste in her voice is unmistakable— "then his vehicle must be moved. The wolves will take care of the body."

I don't want to sit in his car. I open my mouth to say as much, and Red smiles at me.

"I have it under control, Ciara."

How's she going to manage that? Magic it out of existence? I'm not sure she can exactly drive.

Her voice is quiet but firm. "A friend of mine is going to come and move it for us."

"But you haven't spoken to anyone."

She just looks at me, and of course she doesn't need to speak out loud to get my car moved. She's a goddess. The Dark Goddess. She probably has an army of minions at her fingertips.

"She will be here momentarily."

I guess that all I can do is wait. I go to turn the kettle on because after all this, the one thing I know I need is a strong cup of tea, when there is a sharp rap on the door.

The woman who stands in the doorframe oozes sensuality, so much so that it's like there's a drug in the air. My eyes are drawn to her curves, half hidden by a mass of fair hair waterfalling around her, and there's a wicked beckoning in her smile. I take a shaky breath. "Will you invite me in?" There's more meaning in her words than a simple invitation and I'm not sure how to answer.

"Medb!" Red's voice cuts through the atmosphere, and when I look at her, she is angry. "Stop that this instant."

Mebd's eyebrow lifts and the whole ambience in the room changes. Air comes rushing back into my lungs, and I scowl myself.

"No, you can't come in."

Both women stare at me.

"I won't have magic manipulating my emotions. That is" —I continue before she can interrupt— "I assume what just happened?"

Medb doesn't look the least bit chastened. "When you summon the fae…"

"Only I didn't," I say sternly. "Red might have, but I didn't. So, no, you can't come in. I don't trust you."

"Not many mortals could deny a fae queen what she requests."

And that's when I recognize her name. Medb, queen of Connacht. Better known as Queen Mab.

Shit.

The one thing you don't do is fuck with the fae.

Until this very day, I would have sworn left and right that I didn't believe in magic. But I still wouldn't have fucked with the fae. You leave them be, respect their mounds, and never ever ever make a deal with them.

I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that the aos sí are real, considering all that has happened in the last couple of hours, but for some reason this floors me more than my red wolf turning out to be an ancient goddess.

Medb is still on the doorstep and is looking more than a little smug at the clear shock on my face.

"I'm not making a deal," I say hurriedly.

"You don't have to," says Red from the couch. "Medb owes me."

Something flashes across the fae queen's face, and it is clear that she is less than pleased with that information being bandied about.

"So I do. Red." It's clear that she means my name for the Morrígan as an insult, and the goddess in my living room takes it as such.

Drawing herself up to her full height, her eyes flash and I'm surprised to see Medb take a small step backwards. "Don't not test me, Mebh of Connacht. You are merely a queen, in the presence of the Dark Goddess." The light in the room darkens, and I'm very grateful that Red has never chosen to look at me like that. "Remember to whom you speak."

Medb bows her head, once, and light filters back into the room, but when she lifts her head, her smile is wicked. "I miss Nemain. She was more fun."

"Chaotic, more like," mutters Red as she draws back into herself and sits back down on the couch heavily. "There's a vehicle outside. The owner is… no more. You may have it for your own."

Medb grins. "The red Ferrari outside? Doesn't sound much like a hardship to me. You sure this is the favor you wish for?" I note that she doesn't try to cross my threshold again.

"Missing people cause more consternation these days. If you take the car, you take the scrutiny that comes with it."

The fae queen shrugs, "That won't be a problem. I've got you covered." She looks at me again, and her gaze is speculative. "Nice to meet you…?"

She's fishing for my name and I know better than to hand it over. "And you too."

Her laugh is loud and brash, and for an instance, I can see her at the head of an army, hair streaming behind her in the wind, inspiring utter devotion. "I shall take my leave then."