Sage crossed her arms over her chest, glaring at them. “Any other secrets you two are hiding that you want to announce? First Fenrir, and now this?”
“You know why we couldn’t talk about this,” Patrick told her.
Wade raised his hand. “I don’t.”
“You don’t mess with another person’s soul.Ever. That’s a law on the books in every country,” Sage said, staring at them with troubled eyes.
“I didn’t do it onpurpose,” Patrick said.
Sage sighed heavily and pressed her fingertips against her forehead, as if she had a headache and was trying to will it away. “What excuse are you telling people when youdotap a ley line?”
“Uh…I try not to tap it. I don’t like what it does to Jono.”
Jono nudged him with an elbow. “And I’ve told you I don’t mind.”
“How you feel about the situation isn’t going to get you out of a federal death sentence. You said the dagger caused the soulbond? Then keep using the dagger as your excuse. Whatever magic you do that you shouldn’t be able to do, it’s because of the dagger from here on out,” Sage said.
Patrick chewed on his bottom lip. “I never reported my dagger as an artifact to the government. They can’t know how I got it, or how powerful it really is.”
“How did you get it?”
“Ashanti delivered it to his hand after all the gods of heaven bled for it and forged it. She died for her efforts,” the Cailleach Bheur said.
Sage’s brow furrowed. “Ashanti?”
“The mother of all vampires, and a goddess in her own right,” Gerard said.
“Ah.” Sage shook her head. “The dagger is still your best excuse. If anyone finds out about your soulbond, you’re looking at capital punishment, Patrick.”
Patrick grimaced and hunched his shoulders. “Iknow.”
“Then take my advice. I’m your dire, that’s what I’m here for.”
“Yeah.”
Sage arched an eyebrow at them. “Any other life-altering secrets I should know about?”
Jono and Patrick shared a glance. Jono shook his head. “No?”
“Great. It’s been years since I was this cold. Can we finish up? We only have so much time left, and we shouldn’t spend it arguing.”
Gerard’s mouth twitched at the corners. “You’ve made some good friends, Patrick.”
“Pack,” Jono corrected.
“That, too. But Sage is right. We’re running out of time, and you’re tied up in the bargain with Medb as well, Patrick. I’m not willing to lose you or Órlaith to Medb or your father,” Gerard said.
“What about your brother?” Patrick asked.
Gerard grimaced before looking over at the Cailleach Bheur. “His myth is fading, isn’t it? That’s why Ferdiad believed whatever Ethan told him.”
“We all do what we must when faced with being forgotten. Sometimes the lies are what we wish to hear because we believe they will become our truth,” the Cailleach Bheur said.
“If I promise to return home, will you tell me where Órlaith is? I will bring what followers I have with me back toÉireto sing our stories again, but only after we find the Morrígan’s staff and stop Ethan from turning himself into a new god. I gave my word to the dragon who commands me, and I refuse to break it.”
The Cailleach Bheur eyed Wade. “Not this fledgling, I hope.”
Wade waved his hands at her in a negative manner and rapidly shook his head. “Hell no. I’m not military.”
