The sun dipped below the horizon. The lilac sky deepened to purple and then grew darker still, but no one lit the lamps they’d brought with them.
Eventually, Elizabeth began to speak. “We are the Dru-vid. Thedryw, the Seers, thederw—the oak with its strength and durability—and thewid, the wise ones. We have been Seers, Guardians, and Healers for thousands of years. And for all those centuries, Samhain—Calan Gaeaf—has been important to our people. As it was to all the ancient people who lived close to the earth.” She paused for a moment, letting her words settle before continuing. “We believe, as our ancestors did, that on this day, the veil is thin, and the Shadows triumph. It is a day of power. A day when the balance tips toward darkness. It is also a time for mourning, for grief, and for remembering the dead who are closer than at any other time.”
Kay reached over to take Elizabeth’s hand, and James knew they were both thinking of Alasdair, the granddad Kay had never known.
“We should take this time to allow ourselves to feel our sorrow,” Elizabeth said softly, “for the people we have lost and the people who should have loved us but never could. For the mistakes we’ve made and the regrets we’ve carried.” Her kind gaze met each of theirs. “As we watch the sun set, we acknowledge the pain we’ve endured.”
Tears prickled in James’s eyes, burning and hot, but he didn’t hold them back. He let them fall. He’d carried his loss alone for too long, but he didn’t have to do that anymore. He was surrounded by the people who loved him. He was safe.
Zach murmured something to Emma, who tucked her head under his chin. Of course. Because she, too, had lost a mother. And a father.
Without even thinking about it, James sent a Shadow butterfly to flap gently on his cousin’s hand. He knew she loved those. She raised her eyes to give him a wobbly smile only dimly visible in the fading light.
Elizabeth paused to let them sit in quiet contemplation, each with their own thoughts and memories as night slowly fell and it became difficult to make out his friends’ faces in the dark. But James could feel their Shadows reaching out, holding and supporting one another.
“Our ancestors believed that when the sun drops below the horizon, the day begins,” Elizabeth said softly. “And now, we turn toward that new day. It’s time to let go. Time for a fresh start. We are here. And we’re together.”
James murmured his agreement just as his friends—his family—did the same.
“Thank you all for joining me, today and every day. Let us all continue to grow in our wisdom and our connection to one another,” Elizabeth concluded, her voice fading.
James wiped the tears from his face with the back of his hand and pressed another kiss to Riley’s forehead. She’d saved him, as surely as everyone else sitting beside him had. As long as he lived, he would never forget her standing in front of Gordon and the Council, declaring that he was hers. Just as he would always remember the way David had thrown himself into danger to save him.A father doesn’t stand back. I love you, James.Words that were written on his heart forever. One day, he would say them to his own children.
As if he could hear James’s thoughts, David chose that moment to clear his throat. “Thank you, Liz.” David clicked on a camping lantern, casting them all in warm yellow light, and then lifted Elizabeth’s hand to press a kiss to her knuckles. “And, on that note, I have an announcement…. I’ve decided to resign from the Council.”
“What?” Kay gasped, her eyes going straight to her granny. But from the relaxed, happy look on Elizabeth’s face, it was clear she’d known this was coming.
David chuckled. “It’s time. I’ve given the Council enough. Now I’m going to take some time for myself… and for my love. I’d like to concentrate on our home for a while. Elizabeth will save the world, and I will be there for her when she gets home. I might learn to surf.” He met James’s eye. “I’m hoping to recruit a great teacher.”
James grinned. He’d taught both Zach and Kay to surf, and teaching David would be just as much fun. “I’d love to teach you. It’s not too cold yet. I’ve got some time next week. We can—”
“Actually, before you start filling your time—” Zach interrupted before he could continue. “—I nominate you, James, to take David’s place on the Council.” Zach leaned forward. “You’ve done so much over the last few months. You’ve disbanded Oracle. You’ve met with the National Security Advisor. You’ve bravely acted as the whistleblower to Gordon’s fraud, knowing it could have come back on you, and personally apologized to the Prime Minister when it didn’t. I know you’ve met with every single Custodian of every Circle in the country to explain what Gordon had really planned. You even visited Finn every week until he passed. You probably know more about the Order than any other Dru-vid.”
Everything stopped. James had heard the words, but they didn’t make any sense. Of course he’d done those things. He’d had more time than everyone else. And he’d promised to fix what was broken. But that didn’t mean….
“I—” he started and then hesitated. He didn’t know what to say. He’d never expected to be part of the new Council.
“I second James’s nomination,” Elizabeth said, her voice ringing with conviction.
“Agreed,” Bryn added.
“I don’t… I….” James looked at Riley helplessly, and she turned her face up to his, her Shadows dancing through the air around him.
“You should do it,” she said, loud and firm, her Shadows holding tight to his. “You will be phenomenal.”
God. The tears were back. But he managed to swallow them down. “Thank you. I…. I’ll do my best.” But then he had another thought and shook his head instead. He looked between David and Zach. “But what about Kay? If anyone deserves this, it’s her.”
Kay laughed and patted his arm. “No, thanks. I’m a bit busy with the Circle to add in the Council too.”
“Actually, I have an idea about that,” Zach declared. “You all know we’d like to make the Council far more democratic. By the spring, we’ll be ready.” His voice grew serious, and the lamplight highlighted the deep furrows on his forehead as he frowned. “Kay, would you stand in our first elections?” he asked solemnly. “The work you’re doing in the Circle and the way you’ve stepped up as Custodian make you a perfect candidate. I’d like to show everyone what we can achieve when we’re all working together.”
“So basically, run for a position,” Kay clarified. “A position I might not get.”
“Yes.” Zach nodded slowly. “I mean, I think you’ll get it. You deserve to get it. But it would be up to the Order.”
“And James just gets in nice and easy?” Kay squint-glared at Zach, but her lips were twitching as she said it.
“Pretty much,” Zach agreed just as James said, “Hey!”
