Then maybe she could have warned someone about Verin’s death.
Saved him.
‘Ah, but Seers who See the present are excellent spies,’ Callum said.
Bells supposed that was her mission, now. Espionage …
‘I just wish I could do something more. I wonder why the Empyreal gene skipped me.’
‘You’ve done plenty. You discovered someone else was there the night of your mother’s death. You’ve witnessed the Wild Hunt in action. You’ve helped your brother remember that Alexander killed her.’
Bells gripped the tasselled curtain. ‘But I can’tstopanything. Basically everything I See happens in real time.’
‘You don’t always need to stop things.’
Bells turned. ‘But if I don’t—’
‘Then you watch and listen and talk. Being observant is one of the best qualities you can have. Add a sweet little face like yours? You’d have made a fine spy in my time.’
Histories of ancient Seers and Prophetesses danced through her mind. They’d been politically powerful thanks to their knowledge.
She smiled reluctantly.
Bells came around the couch and sat, leaning close. ‘Did you ever meet Fedelm?’
Callum’s thoughtful expression turned intrigued, amused at the name of the fabled Irish Prophetess. ‘Oh, yes. She was the most powerful Seer of the time and in Queen Medb’s court for a while. The queen – clever little menace – nabbed her before Kyan’s uncle Conchobar could. Fedelm foretold the events in theTáin– the battle that Kyan fought in. She told how Kyan would be Medb’s great barrier to success and the wielder of so much bloodshed. She was never wrong.’
‘But she couldn’t stop it?’ Bells asked. ‘Couldn’t stop all that loss?’
‘Who’s to say she couldn’t? Or didn’t stop something much worse? There are some ancient whispers that a Prophetess, or those in the Seers’ High Council, can change fate once and only once. The Morrígan isn’t going to let someone dabble in destiny whenever they please.’ He canted his head. ‘Probably why there’s only ever one great Prophetessin any generation. Who knows what would have happened if she had stopped theTáin? Perhaps Kyan would have been killed and the people of Ulster massacred. It’s a heavy mantle to bear, to See. To decide what to reveal and what to keep secret.’
‘Do you know where Fedelm might be? If she’s still alive? Maybe she can help me. Help us. Do you think we could trust her?’
Callum grew thoughtful. ‘I’ve no idea. I did search for a while, worried she’d been “borrowed” by the Wake, despite the Seers’ High Council often being forced to work with them. Could we trust her? I think so. And depending on how our little apostasy goes here, it may be worth approaching some Seers we can trust.’
‘Do you think they would help us? If onecouldchange fate … that could be crucial.’
Her mind lit with possibilities. She was almost certain she’d come across something like this in their family library.
‘Ah, you’re underestimating the influence of the Wake. Many Seers wouldn’t risk it; not just because such a process could kill them, but also to keep the Wake’s power stable.’
Bells chewed her lip. ‘Well … maybe I will See something.’
‘If you’re not a future-seeing Seer,’ Callum said softly, ‘no training will help you become one.’
No training would, but Bells still had books from their library in the car …
The Empyreal’s smile curled up. ‘Bells, Bells. You’re keeping secrets.’
She blinked. ‘No, I’m not.’
She thought of the stirrings of darkness she’d sensed. Heard?
‘You know exactly what I’m talking about, don’t you?’ Callum asked smoothly. He sat forward, elbows resting on his knees. ‘How were you able to withstand a song of death that should have drained you clean of life?’
Bells thought of the night at the cathedral, the sweet, dark melody of the death string, like a tear through the world. She imagined it: being able tosavea life, instead of just passively watching things happening in real time. Watchingdeath… the longing for it made her want to cry.
The gods weren’t here any more, she knew that after Remi’s revelations on the harmony of the spheres. But that didn’t mean she couldn’t call on them and try.
