Exton

His cell phone rings, the sound distant and indistinct. It takes Keon a moment to realize what the sound is. His jeans are tossed on the floor next to the bed, the noise muffled by the fabric of the pocket. Stretching, he fumbles it out, trying not to wake Cassie.

"Speak."

His word is terse, the sound little more than a whisper.

"Well, if that is how ye use this thing, I will remember to pop up in yer bath water next time I feel the need to talk to ye."

Keon swallows hard. "Mer Cronigh."

"Sure, an the same. Now, what has befallen yer water lass, Dealg Drubh. I hear she was carried to yer bed in pain. The winged ones say you may need My aid. What worries ye so?"

Keon slips from the bed, moving to stand across the room beside the portrait of Cassie. His fingers lightly caress Star's rendering, amazed at her accuracy. He fills Fea in on the happenings and the end result. Fea crows with delight at Jack's escapades, becoming somber at his reports of Cassie's fall.

"Ye have the stirrings of a human heart, laddie. 'Tis the same of all the Dark Lords. Ye feel deeper than most Fae. Ye care about justice and love. I will come to Cassandra's lake on the morrow. The mers will be ready if yer Cassie needs aid in birthing. So will the local nymphs."

There is a pause, soft voices, then Fea is back.

"I must return this phone to the shifter who made the borrowin'. A few warnings to pass on for me, Keon. I hear Torrent is bleeding his own aura to let a human see the truth. Pray remind him, too much given an' he will be goin' to the grave with her. There is that possibility. As for Twillon... send word ta him, an he need my aid, drop three pebbles in the bright Court Pond, an I will be there anon. I do like his little *banríon. I wish them well. Tomorrow Keon, as soon as ye can be there, I will be waitin'. But one word. Nae take the Shadow paths. They be watched by those who are less honorable of spirit. Morgan would know where ye travel."


*queen