“It won’t be enough to destroy Cabhan. Or I mean to say we won’t succeed in destroying him, no more than Sorcha could, without destroying what he took into him.”
She nodded, having come to the same conclusion. “The demon he bargained with.”
“The demon who used him to gain freedom. Blood from his sire, from his mother, shed by him, drunk by him, used by him with the demon’s demands and promises, to create the stone.”
“And the power source.”
“Not just a power source, I think. A portal, Branna, the entry into Cabhan.”
“A portal.” She sat back. “There’s a thought. Through the stone conjured with the blackest of blood magicks, into the sorcerer who made the bargain. There sits the power, and the way into the world. If a portal can be opened . . .”
“It can be closed,” Fin finished.
“Yes, there’s a thought indeed. So it becomes steps and stages. Weaken and trap Cabhan so he can’t slip away and heal again. And as he—the host—is weak and trapped, close the portal, trapping the demon, who is the source. Destroy it, destroy Cabhan for good and all.”
She picked up her fork again, and though the eggs had gone cold, ate. “Well then, all that’s left is figuring out how it’s to be done, and when it can be done, and doing it.”
“I’ve a few thoughts, and may have more when I finish reading up. I spent some time with a Shaolin priest some years ago.”
“A . . . You worked with a Shaolin priest? In China?”
“I wanted to see the wall,” he said with a shrug. “He had some thoughts on demons, as a kind of energy. And I’ve spent some time here and there with shamans, other witches, a wise man, an Aborigine. I kept journals, so I’ll be reading through.”
“It seems you’ve had quite the education in your travels.”
“There are places in the world of such strong energy, such old power. They call to people like us. Only today,” he said, reaching over for her hands. “But if there are ever tomorrows, I’d show you.”
Since she couldn’t answer, she only squeezed his hands, then rose to clear the plates. “It’s today that needs us. I’ve never given a thought to destroying demons, and in truth never believed they existed in our world. Which is, I see now, as shortsighted as those who can’t believe in magicks.”
“I’ll see to the clearing up here. It’s the rule in your own house, and a fair one.”
“All right then. I should get home, and start reading up on demons myself.”
“It’s the first day of the New Year,” he said as he walked to her. “And a kind of holiday.”
“Not for the likes of us, with what’s coming. And I’ve work besides to earn my living. You may have staff and all that to see to most, but I’d think you’ve a living to earn as well.”
“We’ve no lessons today, and the guided rides and hawk walks are a handful only between them both. And I’ve a couple hours yet before I’m to meet with Boyle, then Connor.”
She angled her face up to his. “It’s a fortunate man you are to have such leisure time.”
“Today it is. I’m thinking you may have an hour yet to spare.”
“Well, your thinking isn’t—” She broke off, narrowed her eyes as the shirt she’d worn winked away, leaving her naked. “That was rude and inhospitable.”
“I’ll show you great hospitality, aghra.” Closing his arms around her, he flew them both back into bed.
12
SHE DIDN’T LEAVE UNTIL MIDDAY, AND FOUND KATHEL outside playing run and tumble with Bugs. She ignored the fact that those who worked in the stables would have seen her car still parked when they’d arrived that morning.
The juice would begin to flow from the grapevine, but it couldn’t be helped. She gave Bugs a quick rub, told him he was welcome to come with Fin anytime at all and play with Kathel.
Then she whistled her own dog into the car, and drove home.
She went straight upstairs to change out of her party dress and into warm leggings, a cozy sweater, and soft half boots. After bundling her hair up, she considered herself ready to work.
In her workshop, she put the kettle on, lit the fire. And feeling a shift in the air, whirled around.
Sorcha’s Brannaugh stood, a quiver on her back, her own Kathel at her heel.
“Something changed,” she said. “A storm came and blew through the night. Thunder raged, lightning flamed even through a