He never missed a thing.
“Jeez, just how much did you drink last night?” Dylan asked, capturing Aurin’s attention.
“Far too much,” Aurin replied.
“Was it a farewell?” he asked. “Because you both were leaving?”
“No, it was a... festival, of sorts. A party to celebrate the coming of winter.”
“Oh,” he said, eyes wide. “How wonderful.”
“It was. What I remember of it, anyhow.”
Just then, the two newest guys came in, looking windswept and happy. Beau and Hudson, if Aurin remembered correctly.
“What are they like?” Aurin whispered.
Dylan murmured back, “Nice guys. They cleaned up the old house at the end of the street, and they’re working on a huge vegetable garden. You should come see it. It’s going to be great.”
Aurin liked the sound of that. “Tomorrow.”
Dylan gave his hand a squeeze and smiled. “Come get me first. We have a lot to talk about.” He aimed a pointed glance in Salem’s direction.
“Uh, yeah,” Aurin said. “We do.”
Then Dylan leaned in and whispered with a smirk, “I want details.”
Aurin chuckled just as Ciaran called for everyone’s attention. “Thank you all for coming tonight,” he began. “And thank you to Otis and Pania for putting on all the delicious food.” Everyone cheered and clapped. Ciaran waited for silence to fall once more. “I want to welcome Aurin and Salem back. We haven’t had a chance to talk since the Lusca ordeal. Salem, I’m glad you’re okay. Albeit a bit bigger now than what we were used to,” he said, which was Ciaran’s way of prompting the whole discussion.
Aurin was kinda glad for the segue; less work that way. He stood up.
“Oh, we’re standing,” Salem said, getting to his feet.
Aurin smiled at him. “Yes, we’re standing. It’ll be easier for questions.”
“Oh,” Salem said, frowning. “Goodie. Questions.”
Fray laughed. “I have a list.”
Tobin snorted. “He’s not joking. He does actually have a list.”
“How many of those questions are rude?” Aurin asked.
“Oh, a good portion,” Fray said, looking to Tobin for input.
“The majority,” Tobin supplied, nodding seriously. “Rude and inappropriate. I’d say at least 90 percent.”
Everyone laughed, and Fray grinned without shame.
Aurin sighed and waved him off. “Thought they might be. Maybe we can start at the beginning first.” He looked up at Salem and smiled, threading their fingers together. “I’ve known Salem was more than a cat for some time. We never meant to lie to you, exactly,” he said, meeting Ciaran’s gaze. “There’s a very good reason why Salem’s identity was kept a secret. And should still be kept a secret,” Aurin added. “I know the Norwegians know, and the Maori consortium know. That can’t be changed now. They helped save Salem’s life, and I’m so very grateful.”
“And the reason for the secrecy,” Ciaran prompted. He looked at Salem. “Is it because you’re a Mimic?”
“Partly,” Salem said. “My eyes… they don’t exactly pass as human. Being in cat form was easier. Safer.” He gave Aurin a tight smile before continuing. “I am the son of a cephamorph and the Cat-Sidhe. I had a mother, a female cephamorph, which we know is a rarity,” he said, giving Pania a nod. “An honour to meet another, truly.”
She gave a smile and nod in return.
Salem continued, “My mother was a Mimic cephamorph. As you saw, I have the ability to take many forms. But only in water, and I can take on the form of other sea life.” He let out a sigh that was a little too sad for Aurin’s liking. “On land, I can morph into a cat, as you all saw. My father... my father, the Cat-Sidhe, was one of the old gods. He was a trickster....” Salem’s brows furrowed and he swallowed hard. “Cern knew him. He knew of me, and when I’d heard he’d taken up residence in these mountains, I followed. I knew I’d be safe here.”
