An Immortal Descent (26 page)

In the mirror, I caught a glimpse of Sean near the door, arms crossed over his chest. “Do you intend to marry the Englishman?” he asked.

“That’s none of your business.” Starting at my crown, I yanked the brush downward with no amount of gentleness. Hairs snapped in the process, but I continued on, repeating the motion several more times.

Sean released a long breath. “It is my business whether you like it or not.”

I turned toward him, the brush temporarily forgotten at my side. “Oh, really? After all this time, you’re going to feign the protective brother?” My scathing tone dared him to try. “Well, it’s too late. You gave up that role the day you abandoned me.”

“I didn’t mean...” He swiped a rough hand over his face. “I never meant to abandon you.”

“That’s interesting. Were you being held captive?”

He shook his head. “Nothing like that. I—”

“Stranded on a deserted island?”

“No—”

“Suffered severe amnesia?”

“Of course not—”

“Then you must have forgotten how to post a letter, for I can think of no other reason to explain your behavior.”

He heaved another long breath. “Will you please stop being difficult?”

“Oh, I’ve earned the right to be difficult, and then some, so spare me the suffering Job.” I arched a mocking brow at him. “Or did you hope I would forget everything and just come running into your arms? So overcome with joy at seeing you alive, I would just forget the pain from the last three years. Is that what you expected?” For having nothing to say at first, I apparently had a mouthful.

“You of all people should understand why I had to leave.”

Furious, I stood, nearly upsetting the chair. “Don’t pretend that you had no choice in the matter. That it was something you
had
to do. No one chased you away, Sean. You left willingly after Mother died.”

“Father and I fought—”

“We were all grieving and felt responsible for what happened. But you didn’t see me running away.”

“Aarrh!” The air exploded from him this time. “How can you be so pigheaded? It wasn’t your responsibility to keep her safe! I had no other powers, Selah. No ability to heal or make swords. As goddess born, I had one task, to protect you and Mother. I failed. And I couldn’t stay anymore with the constant reminder of that failure. It was tearing me apart.” He dropped his head as though the weight of his grief had become too much.

A large lump formed in my throat. Silence settled between us as I just stared at the top of his dark head. Seconds passed and I didn’t know what to say.

Did Father know all of this?

Was that why he never spoke ill of Sean? Or why he refused to fight the sickness the second time around? Because he also felt that he had somehow failed our mother, and then in turn, failed Sean when word of his death arrived from the West Indies. Over time, did he come to view himself as unworthy to continue as my protector?

My forehead scrunched over the thoughts. It made sense in a defeatist sort of way. Which meant my father had seen the sickness as a form of godly punishment—with his life being offered as the final penance.

Had I judged my brother too harshly? Did his actions merit a second consideration?

All the time Sean’s been here, he never talked of any sisters. Never talked of anyone for that matter, other than his dead mam.

Brian’s words struck again with the force of a slap. I gave my head a hard shake, clearing away any sentimental feelings or thoughts of forgiveness. Sean didn’t deserve pity. He deserved the truth, same as I had faced it months ago.

Squaring my shoulders, I smoothed my expression to stone. “Father is dead, you know. He died last May.”

Sean started. He jerked his gaze back to mine, pain filling his pale blue eyes. “How did it happen?”

“He succumbed to a prolonged illness.”

Confusion pulled at my brother’s face. “He got sick?”

I nodded.

“Then why the hell didn’t you heal him?”

The accusation clanged like a judgment bell in my ears. To keep calm, I clamped the brush handle until the wooden edges bit into my flesh. “Because he wouldn’t let me.”

“Good Lord, Selah, you reattached my hand without asking permission.” He splayed the effected fingers for emphasis. “Couldn’t you cure a simple ailment without his asking you outright? Surely he wouldn’t have wanted to die.”

“Don’t you dare judge me,” I hissed. “I tried every argument to get him to see reason, and when that failed, I tried to heal him against his wishes. But he wouldn’t have it. He refused to stay when he believed it was God’s will that he die.” A sob broke in my throat. “You have no idea what I’ve been through these past months. If not for Henry, I would be dead or destitute right now.”

“You met him in the Colonies?”

“The day after Father died.”

Sean seemed to ponder this for a moment. “It’s passing strange that we would meet in Wexford. Did you receive word that I was in Ireland? Is that why you’re here?”

“Don’t flatter yourself. I came solely for Nora’s sake.”

“Nora Goodwin?” he asked, clearly bemused by my best friend’s name. “She’s here as well?”

“We started together in London, but Nora got mixed up with an insane little wretch who goes by the name of Deri. Are you familiar with Cailleach?”

“More than I ever wanted to be.”

“Well, Deri is Cailleach’s descendant, and she somehow gained control of Nora’s mind and coerced her into sailing to Wexford.”

“So you are here to save Nora.”

“Mostly, though I also intend to kill Deri if possible and look into some legend about a witch.”

Sean released a slow breath. “You’re looking for Carmen, then. That’s the same reason I’m here.”

“You don’t live in Wexford?”

He shook his head. “I live near Kildare in a small community of other goddess born. Several months ago an old druid came to us with talk of strange signs. We didn’t do anything at the time, but then Marin started having violent dreams that bespoke of Ireland’s destruction. This time we sought out the druid, and he sent us here to search out a witch named Carmen.”

My knees wobbled and I leaned against the dressing table for support. “So it is true,” I breathed.

Deri seemed to have formed an odd attachment to Nora, which I had hoped would keep her safe for the time being. But an ancient witch? She would kill without compunction if it served to escape her prison.

“We don’t know for certain. Could be the talk of a crazy old man, but in one form or another, Marin’s dreams almost always come true.” Sean rubbed the back of his neck. “We’ve been searching the area for days, and have found no signs of Carmen. Until we ran into your Englishman, we’d planned to leave for home tomorrow.”

Home...
Sean spoke the word with a natural ease that belied any doubts about where his heart lay.

“You will stay now? Henry and I need all the help we can get to find Nora.”

“Yes, we will stay.” He paused for a moment. “But you should know that I won’t allow you to marry him.”

My shoulders stiffened. “You’ve no say in the matter.”

“Under the law you are my ward.”

“Don’t even go there, Sean. I’m not the little girl you left in Pennsylvania. My power has grown a hundredfold, and if you dare try to stop me from marrying Henry, I’ll drop you without a second thought.”

He gave me an incredulous look. “He’s an Englishman, Selah. Do I need to remind you what our ancestors suffered under their hands? They stole our lands and hunted our father like a common criminal. It’s a miracle he even made it out alive.”

“Save the history lesson. You will not hold our family’s past over me, nor will you dictate whom I shall marry.”

Pushing away from the wall, he jabbed a finger at me. “Mark my words, sister, I will not allow it.”

Angry blood rushed to my face. “Get out!”

“Promise me first that you won’t marry him.”

“Never!” I hurled the brush at him. It missed the mark, catching the edge of the door as it swung open.

The maid peeked into the room, and looked nervously between Sean and me. “Shall I come back later, miss?”

“No. He’s leaving.” I looked at my brother. “Aren’t you? Or do I need to call for assistance? I’m sure Henry wouldn’t mind removing your other hand if you give him enough cause.”

Sean’s face turned white with fury. “We will discuss this later.”

“We’ve nothing more to say,” I yelled back, but he’d already stormed from the room.

Retrieving the brush from the floor, the maid eyed the wild curls that fell to my midriff. “Pardon me, miss. His lordship thought you might like some help.”

“Can you dress my hair?”

She nodded and started to close the door when a loud squeak stopped her mid-motion. “Goodness me, I almost caught yeh there. Come in, come in.”

Ailish scurried into the room, looking rather wild with flushed cheeks and her hair blown this way and that.

“That brother o’ yours near trampled me on the stairs.” She closed the door and leaned against it. “Ill-tempered, that one be. Did you two cross words?”

The maid moved to the dressing table, brush in hand. I sat in the wooden chair and shook out the still-damp tresses. “It was nothing,” I lied.

“Your brother don’t have the fire like you do, but he sets me blood steaming all the same.” Ailish fanned her red cheeks with a bare hand. “Felt better outside in the cold.”

“Where have you been?” I asked.

“Snooping about for your friend and Deri.”

I looked at her in the mirror’s reflection. Without a horse, she couldn’t have gone far, probably not even beyond the city walls. “Henry’s been all over Wexford, and no one has seen them. Once I’m finished here, we’re going to start searching the outlying woods.” I tried not to think about the immensity of the task.

She gave me a sly smile. “Won’t be too hard from what I’ve learned.”

My heart thumped into my ribs. “Did you find them?”

The smile grew bigger to reveal two rows of small white teeth. “Not just, but I got us a clue.”

Chapter Sixteen

Into the Woods

I whipped my head around so quickly the brush flew from the maid’s hand and clattered to the floor.

She yipped in surprise. “Beg yehr pardon, miss.”

“What have you learned?” I asked Ailish.

“Where Deri’s da lived afore he went to the grave. His widow lives there still, and I’ll bet she knows where the little demon be hiding if’n anyone does.”

I started to rise, ready to be off. Partway up, the maid caught hold of my shoulder. “Yehr hair, miss. People will think yeh’ve gone mad going out like that.”

A quick glance at the unruly curls, and I saw she was right. “Please be quick about it,” I said, sinking back into the chair.

“Two shakes and we’ll be done.” Having retrieved the brush a second time from the floor, she began to run it with lightning speed over the remaining tangles.

Since Deri had inherited Cailleach’s blood through her father, reason stood that the man’s widow could be the same. I used the mirror again to make eye contact with Ailish. “This woman we’re going to visit, is she...” I paused to check my words. “Is she the same as you?”

Ailish shrugged. “Don’t know. Chances be good that she is, though.”

With both of us suspecting the same thing, I had to prepare for the worst. “Do you really think Deri will be there? I mean after what she did to her father, I wouldn’t imagine the stepmother all too welcoming.” As the girl had cut his throat, I expected the woman wanted nothing to do with the wretch unless it involved hanging from a rope.

“Didn’t say they’d be sharing a roof. Just that the widow would know where Deri’s likely to hide. Might be a dead end, but it’s the best start we got to finding her trail.”

I began to nod, but the maid’s firm grip held my head in place.

Ailish continued to stare at me. The grin had vanished and her expression turned apprehensive. “Is there anything else?” I asked.

Her eyes moved to the window, while the rest of her remained absolutely still. “Got word of your friends from the
Sea Witch
.”

My body tensed in nervous expectation. “Where are they? Did they get away from Captain Lynch?”

“So far as the fishmonger’s wife be telling it. She heard this morning from a tavern wench that an English lady and two English gentlemen have been searching the woods all around Wexford for a dark-haired lass. They stayed the night at a farmer’s cottage with the understanding that they’d return again this evening. I promised a lad half a crown if’n he got a message to them that you’ve arrived and to meet us at the inn tonight.”

“Oh, thank goodness!” The muscles danced in my throat, warbling the words. For all my confidence in Justine’s gift, a part of me feared they’d be well on their way to the Colonies by now, or at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean.

The strain deepened in Ailish’s face. “Do you think they’ll blame me for what happened with Calhoun?”

“Not once they’ve learned the truth. We’ll start by explaining everything to Lord Fitzalan this afternoon, then he can help with the others once they arrive.” I clamped my hands on my knees to forestall any signs of doubt. James and Justine would be quick to see reason. Julian was less predictable with his short fuse and tendency toward violence.

She mulled over my answer, and after a moment her expression softened. “I’ll not be leaving you then.”

My hands relaxed. “Thank you.”

Once the last hairpin was slipped into place, I sprang from the chair and hurried to my saddlebags for clean stockings. A few more minutes and I stood fully dressed in cape, gloves and boots.

“Keep yehr hood up,” the maid called as I dashed out the door with Ailish close on my heels. “Or that damp hair will be the death o’ yeh.”

A dark laugh scraped over my throat. With everything this day could hold, a head cold seemed the least of my worries.

Fresh sea air flooded my nose when we stepped from the inn. Circling gulls screeched overhead. The breeze had turned brisk since we first arrived in Wexford, ruffling the edges of my woolen cloak, and I glanced to the east to see what appeared to be the beginnings of a storm blowing in from the Irish Sea.

Henry was already waiting with two horses on the narrow lane. I started toward him, stopping to give way to a man who was pushing a cart filled with a grisly cargo of fish heads and innards. Several dogs followed in the man’s wake, watchful for any spills. Once the odd procession passed, I continued the remaining distance, with Ailish a mere step from my side.

Henry had retied the leather strand in his hair, and with his clothing returned to proper order, only the dark expression remained as evidence of our last encounter.

My news bubbled straight to the surface. “Mr. Roth has been discovered outside of Wexford. He’ll be here tonight, along with Miss Rose and Lord Stroud.”

From his quick look of understanding, Henry had also heard the rumor of three English riders and was just now attaching them to their proper names. “When did the other two join your party?”

“At Branbury, when Mr. Roth and I stopped to have a horse reshod.”

A muscle ticked in Henry’s jaw. “How long did you travel with Lord Stroud?”

“Until we were separated while crossing the Irish Sea.” I gulped at the sight of murder on Henry’s face. “He pledged his honor in our hunt for Nora.”

“And I pledged to cleave him from neck to navel if he so much as looked at you again.”

No doubt Julian’s brutal attack near the river and subsequent profession of love would also qualify as cleaving offenses. “Miss Rose insisted he join us, and I couldn’t well turn him away because of a past grudge.”

Henry’s eyes bored into mine. “Tell me, did he behave himself?”

A lie perched on my lips. “As you would expect,” I said instead, opting for the vaguest truth.

“What does that mean?”

“He vowed to run the English from Ireland if I would consider his proposals.” My expression remained stolid despite the sheer absurdity of the words.

Henry shook his head in disbelief. “When I first met Lord Stroud, he spoke of very little other than plants.” He scrubbed a hand over his forehead. “It makes sense now considering his gift, but I never suspected he harbored a secret death wish.”

I placed a hand on his arm. “You’re not going to hurt him.”

“Of course not,” he agreed all too readily. “I’m going to kill him.”

“Please, Henry. The man is deluded and deserves pity more than anger. We need him now, but once this is over, we can sever all ties if that’s what it takes to tame his fantasies.” Lowering my voice, I gave him a coy smile. “Besides, I’ll be your wife tomorrow. What better way to put his hopes to rest.”

Henry considered my reasoning. “Lord Stroud is safe for now, but know that my patience has worn thin.” Without pursuing the matter further, he glanced from me to Ailish, then back to me. “Who is the child?”

Having dodged the first cannonball, I moved to the second. “A friend of mine, and she’s not a child.”

“Small for me age is all. Turned sixteen on Samhain last.”

I waved a hand between them. “Ailish O’Bearra, meet Lord Fitzalan.”

Ailish bobbed a coltish curtsey as Henry dipped his head. “Delighted,” he said with a steely edge before shifting his gaze to me. “A private word if you please, Selah.”

“There’s no need for secrecy. Ailish is well acquainted with Deri and knows of someone nearby who may be able to tell us her whereabouts.”

Henry eyed the girl with increased scrutiny. “And how did Miss O’Bearra come to know so much?”

The pointed question was addressed to Ailish. She swallowed hard and stared up at Henry, who was towering like a giant storm cloud. Rather than answering, she inched closer to me until our arms touched. I shuddered from a sudden chill, and we both stepped away in a hurry. Henry’s brows pushed together, his expression growing even darker. Ailish squeaked and stepped back toward the inn this time.

“Stop glowering, Henry, or you’ll scare the girl witless.”

“I am not glowering,” he protested.

“You are, too.” I glanced over my shoulder at Ailish. “You’ve nothing to worry about. His lordship’s bark is much worse than his bite.”

“Oh, my bite is infinitely worse—” Henry began, when I held up a hand to interrupt.

“Please just believe me for now, and I promise to explain everything on the road.” I glanced at the mare and stallion behind him. “We’ll need another horse though.” This last request earned a stony look.

“I’ll strip the saddle and you two ladies can ride together.”

“That’s not possible,” I said. “She’ll have to ride with you.”

Henry’s jaw tensed as a sharp breath rasped through his nose. “Please tell me you’re jesting.”

“Not in the slightest.” I stepped toward him until our bodies almost touched and tilted my head up. “I’ve something to tell you, but first you must promise not to overreact.”

He stared at me, taking a few seconds to consider my request. “How much more am I to be tried today?”

It was a fair question coming from a man who in a matter of hours had been attacked by my brother, driven from a bathing chamber, then informed that his betrothed had been pursued by a sworn rival. All the same, I wouldn’t risk Ailish without some reassurance. “Just promise to behave.”

“Very well. You have my word.”

Forgoing any sort of preamble, I jumped right to the heart of it. “Ailish is Cailleach’s descendant—”

His hand shot out like a snake, and the rest of my words turned to a startled cry as he dragged me behind him in one deft movement. The other hand went to his sword hilt.

Panicked, I grabbed at his arm. “You promised not to overreact!”

“She’s still alive, isn’t she?” he growled.

Ailish’s eyes bugged with fear. She didn’t retreat though, and I thought Henry must have scared her beyond movement until her fingers began to twitch at her side, no doubt from a rush of Cailleach’s power.
Great!
This was one battle I didn’t want to see.

I attempted to push past Henry before all hell broke loose, but his arm held like an iron band, keeping me in place. “Don’t you dare hurt her,” I warned, digging my fingers into his bicep and pulling with every bit of strength.

“Then I suggest you start explaining.”

A flood of words filled my mouth. “Ailish isn’t anything like Deri. She helped me escape from a charlatan and then put her own life at risk when he tracked us down again.” I paused just long enough to draw breath. “She even stood up to one of Cailleach’s hounds to keep me safe.”

Henry didn’t speak at once, and the strained silence settled around us. Even the seagulls seemed too quiet in the sky.

The silence became too much to bear, so I started once more, desperate for him to understand. “You have to believe me. I know we’re supposed to be enemies, but we’re not, regardless of what Cate may believe. She was mistaken, or maybe she never met anyone like Ailish.”

“What if you’re the one who’s mistaken?” he shot back. “Have you considered that the girl may be playing you for a fool?”

“She almost died for me!” I cried.

A passing housewife darted a nervous look in our direction, her arms full with the day’s shopping. I lowered my voice to keep from attracting more attention. “If you had been with us the past few days, you’d know I’m speaking the truth, and that Ailish is not the enemy.”

This last sentiment finally made a dent, and I felt Henry relax just a bit. His hand slid from the sword. “Are you certain?”

I gave Ailish a shaky smile from behind his back. “She’s proved a true friend. Of that I am completely certain.”

Another moment of silence passed when Henry lowered his other hand, this time setting me free. “A thousand apologies, Miss O’Bearra. If you are truly aware of all that transpired with Deri, then you’ll understand my abrupt reaction. You should also know that I will do anything to protect Selah.” This last part sounded a bit like a warning.

“She’s your true love,” Ailish stated, matter-of-factly.

“That she is.” Warmth softened the sharp edges of Henry’s voice. “Please accept my gratitude for what you have done.”

“Thank you, milord. But Selah saved me skin a time or two, so we be even.”

Henry nodded as I scooted around him. “I am in your debt all the same, Miss O’Bearra.”

“Then you will allow her to ride behind you. Our different blood makes us unable to tolerate the other’s touch. If we shared a horse, we’d both be screaming in a matter of seconds.”

Henry helped me into the saddle first. Then, swinging onto the other horse, he reached for Ailish. “Kick your leg over,” he instructed once her feet left the ground.

Ailish squealed in fear. The horse pranced nervously on the cobbles, but Henry kept a strong hold of the reins as he settled her behind him in the saddle. Two skinny arms shot forward, barely reaching around either side of his ribs in what looked to be a death grip. She buried her face in the back of his greatcoat.

“There you go, Miss O’Bearra. All settled?”

“Aye, milord,” came her muffled reply.

Henry dug his heels into the side of the horse, bringing another squeal from Ailish. “Keep a good hold, and you’ll come to no harm.”

I directed my horse alongside Henry, veering around an elderly couple who hobbled toward the entrance of the inn. Age had bent the man’s back to an unnatural curve, diminishing his significant height by at least a foot. The woman held onto his elbow, the hood of her dark blue cape drawn up to conceal most of her face. Something about them caught my eye, but by the time I turned my mount, they had already passed through the doorway.

“Something wrong?” Henry asked me.

I shook my head and spurred forward. “Where are we going?” I asked Ailish.

“Past the abbey to the south gate,” she said into Henry’s back. “Follow the road a pace till you enter the woods. When you come across a burned-out tree trunk, you’ll see a trail to her cottage just after.”

For the sake of privacy, we didn’t speak much as we wove a curved path through the town. Reaching the abbey, I arched my neck to take in the dozen spires and large stone tower that dwarfed us in shadow when we veered southward. Near the gate, two well-armed redcoats swaggered into our path, until Henry ordered them aside. They didn’t even ask his name before stepping out of our way, hurried bows replacing the original swagger. I held back a smile as we passed beneath the arched gate, unsure whether his perfect English accent or overall demeanor had registered more clearly with the men.