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While Bryn could understand Declan’s frustration, she couldn’t ignore Cyerra’s demand she speak to the woman named Danu. Even if this was all a farce, just a small piece of herwantedto believe. To have evidence that she wasn’t the outcast the town made her out to be. That her connection to death, her visions, really were some greater power.
Something more than this little town, and its simple ways, could understand.
It was all a dream, she knew, but one she would allow herself to stay in just a tad longer.
Her mind spun, thoughts of the meaning and consequences of what the woman had told them overwhelming her rational side, which was the only possible reason she could have said what she did next.
“Does this have anything to do with me being cursed?” Bryn blurted out, her mouth running without the go-ahead from her brain. Cringing, she realized she could have asked that question a bit more delicately. Perhaps it was not the best sentence to voice in a room full of people who didn’t realize she was as abnormal as the people outside claimed her to be.
“You are not cursed!” Jace yelled, slamming his fist on the table, shocking everyone. Never had anyone here seen this behavior in him before, and his eyes widened as everyone gave him a surprised look. Settling back in his chair, his cheeks pink, he folded his arms. “I apologize. I haven’t slept well.”
“Why do you think you are cursed?” Danu asked, and Bryn looked at Jace before she said anything else. His eyes moved to hers, and she saw sadness there. Sending him an apologetic look, she turned back to Danu.
“I’m supposed to be a healer, but I cannot heal anyone. In fact, most people I try to help—” Her voice cut off. Should she really be airing her issues when the governor and law were here to listen? They had protected her to this point, but if theyknewsome of what was whispered about her was true, how long would they put themselves on the line to protect her?
“You see their deaths,” Danu answered her, and Bryn actually felt her mouth drop. Her heart ran rampant as she looked around the room, fearing they would drag her outside to be put to death. Everyone looked at her in shock except Danu, Callum... and Mr. Rafferty.
His eyes held hers before he looked back to Danu. He knew?
He knew!
“You do?” Jace asked, but his voice was lost to her as she watched every small movement Mr. Rafferty made before she looked back to Danu.
“How did you know that?” Bryn asked, worries carrying through her brain like a parade. Could this woman have been the reason this happened? But how when she had only come to town in the past day and her visions had been ongoing for twenty years?
“I know all of your secrets.” She looked to each of the people in the room, and Bryn wondered if anyone could feel the undercurrent of power surrounding the woman. “All of you.”
Were witches actually real, and this woman was what they were like?
Bryn couldn’t help the sadness that overcame her. The woman had walked into a town that would see her dead by sunrise.
On the opposite side of that thought, Bryn selfishly wanted answers before she never saw Danu again.
“That’s not at all unsettling to hear,” Travis muttered.
Danu smiled at Travis, her eyes lighting on the stoic man.
“While you and Caden are human, you have your roles in helping my children. That is why you are here. I am unsure of the future, but you are part of getting the Tuatha Dé Danann to where they need to be.”
“So, you know all our secrets, huh? What’s mine?” Declan challenged, bringing Danu’s attention away from Travis. His eyes held a dare in them that most people backed away from when he gave them that particular look. Danu was completely unfazed and ready to respond.
“Ah yes, I am not surprised you are the first to ask. I think it’s absolutely darling you named your general store and trading post the Cauldron, and with this post, you have the ability to keep this town thriving. Never will anyone here go hungry as long as you are near since the crops and livestock will thrive with your gift, but I am sure you’ve already noticed that trade goes much better when you’re the one doing the exchange. Always were able to sway the emotions of those around you.” Turning to look at Callum, she let out a little laugh. “Dagda and his harp could sway any man.”
“I play guitar,” Declan muttered, but his voice held no heat in it as he stared off, seeing nothing but his own thoughts. Shaking his head clear, Declan pointed to his father.
“And what secrets does my old man have?” Declan sneered, and Bryn felt for him. She knew all too well what it felt like for one’s world to begin unraveling at the seams.
A bang on the door interrupted any further discussion, but the look in Declan’s eyes promised he’d have his answers. Bryn could understand that as well. She would be right behind him in demanding them.
Voices rose in the building outside their room as Justin and Mr. Rafferty headed to the door.
“I am most likely needed, so I will see what I can do to get them outside so you can stow away our surprise guests.” With those words, Mr. Rafferty moved out of the room and into the rest of the building, his voice taking on that of a politician. A shepherd guiding his sheep outside with soothing words.
Justin nodded, cueing Travis to escort Danu and Callum to wherever they were holding them, but before anyone could leave the room, Justin held his hands up.
“This, as I said in the beginning, cannot be spoken of outside of this room. Is everyone in agreement?”
Bryn wondered what would happen if they disagreed, but no one did since everyone knew where Justin’s concerns stemmed from. Mr. Rafferty knew the older woman, knew she would be considered a witch, and so she was to be protected.
