Watery light filtered into the room. Niall sat at his work table grinding and mixing herbs. His eyes had dark purple splotches beneath them. He’d barely slept. Pain kept filtering down the bond he shared with his siblings. The ache was persistent. It could only mean Iri was taking the pain of Mac or Jamie. Niall hoped beyond hope that it wasn’t Jamie.

Iri and Mac are awfully late getting back, his Uncle Romulus said from the cot in the corner.

They ran into some trouble, Niall’s voice was flat and emotionless.

What kind of trouble? His uncle asked.

Niall shrugged and pounded the herbs harder.

Niall, what kind of trouble? His uncle’s brogue thickened as he spoke.

Niall turned to him. The bandages on his uncle’s chest were soaked with blood and he had to look away before guilt crept into his eyes.

Enyo was all he said.

His uncle was up on his feet in an instant. Niall was across the room just as fast.

You’re not going anywhere unless you have a death wish! He snapped shoving his uncle back onto the bed, rather roughly too.

At that moment, Mac appeared with a rather strange man.

Mac, what are you doing here and who is he? Niall asked his sister.

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Mac cocked her head and just stared at him for a moment.

You don’t feel it? She whispered in shock.

It’s probably all of the warding to keep the bunker from being detected, the man beside her said in a monotone voice.

His sister raised a single silver eyebrow.

I feel it. I’m just damn good at ignoring it is all, he shrugged again. Let me guess why you’re here.

Don’t bother! Mac snapped. Now I see why she was avoiding coming back here. She’s a pariah. You know as well as I do that the entities that she possesses are mum’s fault and not hers. Fuck, she didn’t even want to be a part of the fucking ritual!

Niall had never heard Mac curse so much in one sentence and she wasn’t finished.

She got the shitty end of the stick and always fucking has. No fucking wonder she avoids this place like the fucking plague.

Niall was speechless.

Now, you’re coming with us and you’re going to help her before she fucking kills herself by taking Jamie’s injuries.

Wait Jamie was hurt? Uncle Rom asked.

Koschei was out so he fought back against Jamie hence the injuries and the reason for Iri taking his pain, Mac sighed. You’re goddamn lucky Jamie was able to fucking subdue Koschei because Koschei would have gone on a killing spree if not for him.

Niall flinched. But Mac was right. Koschei was downright dangerous.

Fuck this! Mac cursed loudly. We’re wasting time that we don’t have! The longer we stand here, the more likely Iri is to take Jamie’s injuries.

Is that such a bad thing? Niall asked nonchalantly.

The slap that followed echoed around the silent room.

I should have never come to you! Mac snapped. Uncle.

In a flash she and the strange man were gone. Niall stood staring at the spot she had vanished and holding his stinging cheek far longer than necessary.

Niall, did you hear a word she said? Uncle Rom asked.

What? He replied turning to his uncle in mild surprise.

His uncle shook his head and stood painfully slowly.

Just like Kleo, he muttered. Your sister could die if she takes on Jamie’s injuries.