“Like anger?”
Tiernan nodded. “Yes. Hatred, loss, guilt, jealousy—all of them. I believe it sought those feelings. The fairies werecovered are in a strange state—clear-minded but lacking something. Combined with my experience, I've concluded that their emotions have been stolen.”
“Stolen?” Keir looked at his wife. “Darling, have you ever heard of such a thing?”
Eibhleann's voice came from somewhere to the right, “I don't know of any Seelie plants that could do that.”
“It wasn't a plant,” I leaned in to say. “It infested the plants and soil, but wasn't a plant.”
Eibhleann's green eyes widened. “An infestation . . . that's worrisome. Infestations spread.”
“I drove it back for now, but yes, I think it will spread if left unchecked. But we need to figure out what it is before we can fight it.”
“Yes, you're right. If possible, you shouldn't enter a battle without knowing your opponent.” Keir looked to his right. “I think Killian would like to speak with Seren. Tiernan, I'll scry you if I find anything.”
“Thank you.” Tiernan handed me the phone.
Killian's face appeared, but he seemed to be moving. “Hold on, babe. Let me get somewhere private.”
“Can Tiernan stay for this?” I asked.
“Yeah.” A door closed behind him. “It's Rowan.”
“What about Rowan? Did Dagur—”
“No, it's not the Elf. Ro said something weird to me today at breakfast. It's been haunting me. Now that you've told mewhat's going on in Seelie, I'm really concerned. I just didn't want to worry Dad.”
“What did she say?”
Killian's throat worked. “Seren, she said you were going to leave.”
“What?” I whispered.
“She told me that you have to go, but I shouldn't be sad.”
“What the fuck?” I growled.
“Seren.” Tiernan pointedly looked around the library and then at our son.
“Sorry, Fal.”
“It's all right, Mother. I know all the curse words.”
“Great.” I grimaced. “Well done, Son.”
“Go on, Killian,” Tiernan said. “Did Rowan say anything else?”
“Yeah.” He grimaced. “She said the garden was going to reveal the truth.”
“The truth about what?” I whispered. “And what garden?”
Killian shook his head. “She didn't know. Only that it was something that needs to happen. She kept saying, 'Pruning makes a garden grow.'”
A shiver ran down my spine, though I couldn't say why. “Pruning makes a garden grow?”
“Yeah. I know you didn't go into a garden today, but you dealt with plants. It feels pretty close.”
“One of the Anthousai women called the blight ropes vines.”
