“Fine. I’ll call you Anuket. But only because it’s a great name.”
She laughed. “You really must want this favor.”
Sawyer glanced back to the yard. He couldn’t see Ward, but knew his mate swam furiously as he processed his emotions.
“I want it more than anything, and that’s saying something right now.”
“Sawyer?” Anuket asked. The teasing smile was gone from her face.
“The one who hurt him is one of yours. I want him to pay for what he did. He hurt my mate, and for that, he needs to pay.”
She grinned, and it was no longer the sweet water sister who’d make you think of a gentle spring rain. No, this was a thunderstorm, maybe even a hurricane. “Consider it done.”
Sawyer breathed a sigh of relief. He couldn’t exactly go hunt down the asshole himself, but knowing his sister had his back was enough. “Thank you. My mates… they’re everything, you know?”
“It is as it should be, brother.”
“I can’t help it. I mean, one guy shouldn’t be so blessed, you know? I mean, I guess I planned it that way, but it just feels like it happened. Like they were supposed to be mine and they were. And I can’t imagine being without any of them. Isn’t that crazy?”
“You babble, Sawyer, as you used to as a child. I’ve missed it.”
And the word struck a chord, one that might as well have sounded a gong inside his head.
“I babble like a brook. Just like Mama Thea.”
His sister at least had the courtesy to look away.
“Oh my Goddess, Annie! You totally interfered when you weren’t supposed to.”
She scoffed. “Did you really think I would allow my baby brother to fall into the hands of someone who would not treat him well? You asked too much of me, my brother. And our sister sent you your dog when you needed one. I don’t hear you fussing at her, do I?”
Sawyer grinned and leaned into her. “No.”
“I could no more leave you alone and afraid than I could stop the seasons from changing.”
“How’d it happen?” Sawyer asked.
Anuket sighed. “I often hear the prayers of my kind, their thoughts and wishes sent into the ether. When I can, I assist. Oftentimes, it is not for me to intervene, but sometimes, exceptions can be made, especially for one who is pure of heart.”
“Which Mama Thea totally was.”
“She was selfless. When she discovered… Mikey, I believe is his name?”
“Yeah. That’s my big brother.”
“Her prayer was to give up her meager powers to help him better control his. He’d seen her and reacted. She begged for help for a child that wasn’t even hers, a stranger who she could have easily walked away from and forgotten.”
Sawyer couldn’t help the tears that formed in his eyes. “Yeah, that sounds like her.”
“I answered her prayer. And then made sure the waters flowed correctly so he was given into her care. When she needed help with his gift, I made sure she found a coven to assist.”
“Wow. You really went all out, didn’t you?”
She shrugged. “His is a unique ability. His powers fall under my purview. Did you know that?”
“No. Then why haven’t you helped him! Our brother attacked one of yours.”
“He is at peace and in no danger.”
