Mairwen nodded at Killian, Keeva’s brother.“So note it, if ye will.”
With a strange short stick, a sleek, blackstylus pen, or so Keeva had called it, Killian recorded the decision on the thin device he balanced in the palm of his hand.To Mairwen, it looked like a rectangular plate that glowed with a soft white light.Keeva had explained that the mortals would think it was one of theirtablets,even though she had created it to record decisions of the Council into the goddesses’ Ledger of Infinity.Such an inventive apprentice, that Keeva.Mairwen allowed herself another moment of pride for choosing her.
“Since there are two,” Malcolm said, his pale blue eyes gleaming with their usual appetite for conflict.“Could some of my younger Weavers train with thefriend?”
“I will not grace that with a response.”Mairwen allowed her displeasure at the devaluation of their soon-to-arrive guests to be mere practice subjects to alter the vibration and hue of her aura.It was a subtle warning all the Weavers recognized.
“I was merely asking.”Malcolm looked aside and shifted in his chair, obviously insulted, but wise enough not to push the issue.
“As we have done in the past, we will warmly welcome our visitors and treat them as the valued individuals they are.”She narrowed her eyes at Malcolm.“Which means we will not refer to them as annoying tourists or rude Americans.Is that understood?”
Malcolm pointed at Taskill.“That was him.Not me.”
“The last threewereannoying and rude.”Taskill bared his teeth in disgust.“Fated mates or not.I canna stomach the rude ones.”He rubbed his fingers together.“Makes me itch to curse them, whether ’tis warranted or not.”
“I am sure they’ll find our little village and its healing waters enchanting and a balm to their souls,” Shona said.
Graine snorted.“Spoken like a true Tranquility Weaver.The lot of ye are so deluded.”
“At least hatred doesn’t eat us alive,” Shona replied sweetly.
Mairwen thumped the table with her fist.She knew exactly who was behind the unrest at the table.“Malcolm!Ye will cease this verra minute.If ye continue sewing discord during meetings, there will be consequences.That is a blatant misuse of power and ye know it as well as I.”
The Conflict Master tried to stifle a wicked grin and failed.“Forgive me, Mairwen.I thought a bit of levity might move things along.”
“Yer definition of levity needs adjusting,” Mairwen told him, while allowing a mysticalstingthat was much like a frustrated mother’s pinch of an unruly son’s arm to touch him.“Ye’re well past a thousand years old, and ye behave as if ye’re barely a hundred.Act yer age or I’ll be sending ye straight to Cerridwen so fast yer head will spin off yer neck.”
Malcolm sat straighter and bowed his head.“Forgive me.It will nay happen again.”
She glared at him a moment longer before turning to the others.“Graine and Shona, in future, before yereactone against the other, consider what might be triggering the urge for that reaction.Ye may be opposites, but that doesn’t mean ye canna work together and attempt to get along for the good of the Veil.Do ye wish to face the chaos that would come were it to fall?”
Graine bowed her head and held out her hand to Shona.“Forgive me, Master of Tranquility.”
Shona took it and bowed her head as well.“Only if ye will forgive me, Master of Hate.”
Mairwen forced herself to find the calm needed to maintain the balance among the powerful Weavers.“Thank you.I appreciate robust discussions and opinions from everyone here, but I canna tolerate that which does not benefit the Veil.Now, as I said earlier, the ladies are coming to Seven Cairns not only because of Keeva’s app but also to find respite from their troubles.We are a quaint,friendlyvillage in the Highlands known for our healing waters, and that is all we shall be to them until time to send Jessa Tamson back in time to join with Laird Grant MacAlester.”
“And the friend?”Ishbel asked.“I sensed powerful magic in Emily Mithers as well.”
“As well?”
“Aye, both lasses have the gift.They just don’t know it yet.”
“Interesting.”Mairwen looked to Bedelia.“Did ye know of this when ye discovered Miss Tamson belonged with the laird?”
Bedelia shook her head.“My Weavers and I search out mate bonds, not magic.”
“As I said, interesting.”Mairwen picked up her tarot deck and started shuffling.“These guests might prove even more enjoyable than expected.”
Chapter 2
Jessa shifted her weight from one foot to the other and noticed Emily was doing the same.“Do you think it would offend them if I offered to help?”She tipped a subtle nod at the elderly couple in front of them.
“Go for it.Offended or not, I’m ready to find the quickest way to the train station so we don’t miss our connection.The lady at the gate said this guy could help us better than anyone.”
Jessa eased up beside the frazzled pair of seniors whose same questions repeated over and over had become more like roaring shouts pelted at the employee behind the rental car counter.“Hi there,” she interrupted, doing her best to sound harmless and helpful.“I’m Jessa.Is there a problem?”
The young man behind the counter threw up his hands.“I ken they’re fair scunnered, but there’s no reason for that old roaster to threaten a square go.I offered them a stoater of a ker.”
