Kyron just smiled. “I had a hunch, and it was getting late.” His eyes lowered to the dried blood on her arms. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah, just some branches caught me on my way through.” She rubbed her arms as she spoke. “Anyway, as the Commander said, we just need to finish this up.”
Kyron stood beside her, following her gaze through the trees.
“It’s late. Let me walk you back.”
Sorcha hesitated, then nodded. “Alright. Thanks.”
The walk back to the village was silent, the streets lit by a handful of soft lights. Sorcha glanced at Kyron, her brow furrowing. “Have you seen Riona?”
Kyron shook his head. “No. I asked Eirin yesterday, and he said she hasn’t been at her post much. She’s keeping to herself.”
Sorcha sighed, shoulders slumping. “I’ve tried everything. I’ve gone to her post, knocked on her door, left notes. It’s like I’m invisible to her now.”
Kyron slowed his pace, his tone careful. “You know how grief can be. She might just need time.” Sorcha clenched her fists, frustration bubbling to the surface.
“I know she’s hurting, but—” She stopped herself, exhaling sharply. “It feels like she’s shutting me out completely.”
Kyron reached out, his hand brushing her arm. “You’ve done what you can. Sometimes people need space to process. Pushing her might only push her further away.”
She nodded reluctantly, her lips pressed into a thin line. “You’re right. I just… I hate feeling like I can’t help her.”
They walked in silence for a few moments before Kyron broke it. “Samhain is coming up,” he said, his tonelighter trying to change the subject. “I was wondering if you’re still interested in going. I know things have changed, but…”
Sorcha glanced at him, surprised by the question. “Samhain?” She hesitated, considering it. “Honestly, I think I need it now more than ever. I need something to take my mind off all this.”
Kyron gave her a small smile. “Good. It’ll be a chance to step away, even if it’s just for a little while.
And,” he added with a raised brow, “maybe we’ll get a better sense of what’s happening in Cailleach’s Keep.”
Her smile faltered slightly, the weight of everything crashing back down. “Let’s just hope it’s nothing like here,” she murmured.
Kyron didn’t reply, but the way his gaze lingered on her spoke volumes. As they reached her door, Sorcha paused on the threshold.
“Thanks for walking me back.”
Sorcha started to step through the doorway when Kyron gently grabbed her arm. “Sorcha,” he said softly.
She turned, surprised by the unexpected nervousness in his voice. “What is it?”
Kyron ran a hand through his hair, hesitating for a moment as if searching for the right words. “I need you to hear me out,” he said, his voice quiet but serious. He muttered almost to himself, “I can’t believe I’m saying this.”
“What’s going on?” she asked, concerned.
He gaze was on ground, kicking the dirt gently as he avoided her gaze. Sorcha studied him for a long moment, sensing the weight of whatever he was about to say. Finally, she nodded.
“Okay,” Kyron exhaled, bracing himself. “I’m sorry for the way we met in the woods,” he began. “But it wasn’t by chance that we met. I was there because of you.”
“Because of me?” Sorcha asked, confused.
“Why?”
“Because…” he paused, raising his eyes to meet hers. “I’m part of the Tuatha Dé Danann. For generations, part of my family has lived in the Otherworld, but we’ve always watched over the mortal realm. Not just the realm itself, but people… people born with special gifts or abilities, like you… demigods.”
Sorcha blinked. “Wait… are you telling me the Tuatha Dé Danann are still here?” Then she added, “A demigod?” Her voice trailed off trying to process what he just told her.
“Yes,” Kyron said simply, his voice steady. “The mist you’ve seen me use, it’s not just an
