Page 77 of In Your Light

Then Ukko did the same, and then Llyr and Nyx, leaving piles of small clothes and boots on the floor. They all curled up next to Hadeom, purring.

Salem was clearly agitated and scared. He ran his hand through his hair and clawed at his face. “I can’t allow this to happen.”

Aurin took his hand, calming him. “It’s okay. They’ll be okay. They want to do this.”

“He will hurt them,” Salem said. “His shadows, Aurin⁠—”

“He won’t hurt them,” Fyn said. “I know he doesn’t deserve your trust, and I know you have every right to feel this way... but he isn’t that man anymore. He won’t hurt them. I promise you that.”

“Fyn,” Aurin said gently.

“I know, I know,” Fyn said, trying not to cry. And he did know. He knew what Hadeom had done. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay,” Aurin replied. “It’s not your fault.”

“I’m sorry to bring trouble,” Fyn said. “I’m so new here, and you’ve all been so very kind.”

“No, Fyn,” Sawyer said. “Hadeom sent me here. He’s my boss. I think. He’s been here before we knew you. It’s not your fault.”

Fyn laughed through his tears. “And I really wanted to stay here. I really like my house, and I was excited to help in the gardens.”

“We’re not kicking you out,” Sawyer said.

Fyn looked at where Hadeom was still curled up on the mattress. “What about him? I can’t leave him. We could stay in the hut, I suppose. If he wants to stay with me....” Fyn put his hand to his forehead. “I don’t even know if...”

Sawyer put a gentle hand on Fyn’s arm. “How about we wait until we speak to Hadeom. He has a lot of questions to answer and a lot of explaining to do.”

Fyn couldn’t take his eyes off Hadeom. “Do you.... Do you think he’ll be okay?”

“I’m sure he will,” Sawyer said with a smile.

“What do we do?” Aurin said, looking at the four purring kittens curled up next to Hadeom. “They’re all asleep.”

Kellan shrugged, almost apologetically. “It’s been scientifically proven that the frequency of a cat’s purr aids in healing.” He grimaced at Salem. “Of which I’m sure you are already aware.”

“They’re trying to heal him,” Aurin said quietly, still watching them.

Kellan nodded. “I think so, yes.”

Ciaran smiled at Salem and Aurin, then gestured to the small couch. “Make yourselves comfortable. You might be a while. They look settled.”

“No, thanks. I’ll sit beside them,” Salem said, moving closer.

He didn’t trust Hadeom, which was fair. Fyn understood that. The kittens were his babies, and he was very protective of them, naturally.

Especially since Hadeom had killed Salem’s mother....

It was all such a mess.

He just needed Hadeom to get better, to wake up from wherever he was. The dark place, as Áine had called it.

Salem shook his head, his eyes meeting Aurin’s. “She saw into his mind,” he whispered.

“Yeah, no thanks,” Tobin said. “Never doing that again.”

“I’m not sure she did,” Aurin said. “She saw where he was. Is he in the dark place mentally, inside his own mind? Or is he metaphysically there? And is this just his body in this reality?” He shrugged and made a face. “I mean, it’s possible. Given who he is, how old he is. Or where he’s from. Who knows?” He looked at Salem. “But yes, she saw him. She has another gift.”

“A powerful one,” Sawyer added.