I laughed andpatted Phin’s chest. “He’ll do for now.”
Haddi held up afinger. “Careful, Lennox.For now, is a very long time for a Cauld Ane.”
Phin cleared histhroat. “Moving on, then. This is Haddi’s apprentice and our newest oracle,Andi.”
“It’s very niceto meet you,” Andi said.
“And you,” Ireplied.
Phin continuedhis introductions, “Next, we have our small band of sleepers, Skarde Bjarnasonhis mate Estrid Helgadóttir, Önundr Olofsson and his mate Brana Ingjaldsdotter,Torsten Agnarsson and his mate Dr. Veronica Mills.”
“It’s a thrillto meet you all. Phin has told me stories of some of your adventures and I’mcompletely fascinated by them.”
“Most of it wasway before my time,” Dr. Mills said to laughter all around.
“I’m well awareof your work as well, Dr. Mills,” I said. “You’re one of my father’s favoritesubjects in my house.”
“Let me assureyou,” she said. “This council does not hold you responsible in any way for theactions of Gavin Trask.”
“You areprotected under the banner of Clan Gunnach and the Cauld Ane peoplethemselves,” Arric said.
“Thank you,” Isaid, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support I couldfeel radiating from these virtual strangers.
“And last, butnot least,” Phin gestured toward an attractive couple who looked to be in theirearly thirties. “The only humans to ever sit on the Council of the Oracles,Jamie and Sophie Ford.”
“Humans?”
“That’s right,”Jamie replied. “Sophie and I have shared a unique and very special relationshipwith the Cauld Ane since eighteen-sixty-two.”
I stared at thecouple in shock. “How is that possible? You’re both so young.”
“It’s been onehundred sixty years since we’ve met the Fords, but it’s only been a little overten years for them,” Phin replied.
I frowned. “Idon’t understand.”
Phin grimaced.“That’s because there’s something I haven’t told you yet.”
“Something he’snot been permitted to tell you until he brought you before this council,” Arricsaid.
Phin took myhands in his. “I must ask your forgiveness. When I told you the stories of thesleepers there was an important detail that I left out. A secret that fewhumans in history have ever known.”
“Informationthat Gavin Trask and the Hand of the Cross must never learn,” Arric said.
“Obviously Iwould never tell a soul,” I breathed out and turned back to Phin. “What is it?”
“Do you rememberI told you that Haddi charged the sleepers with guarding a chest of enchanteditems?”
I nodded. “Adagger, a mirror, a compass—”
“That’s right,but there was something else in that chest. The most important items of all.Items that are currently under the care of the Fords.”
“What?” I askedwith bated breath.
“A set of fourrings, enchanted by the oldest known Cauld Ane magician centuries ago,” Phinsaid. “They’re called the Rings of Time.”
I gasped. “Time?As in you have rings that can affect time?”
Phin nodded. “Affectit, bend it, and most importantly, ride it like a wave through the centuries.”
