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“Time we have left? You mean before...” Bryn broke off, nodding to Danu hoping they picked up on what she was saying so she didn’t need to be crass about it.
“Before the old lady kicks the bucket?” Declan tilted his head.
Well, so much for that. Sighing, she looked at Danu who wasn’t the least bit offended, thankfully.
“Once you have remembered your powers, you must decide where you can make a stand against the king and the Fomori. While this place would be ideal as a location, no large water sources around, you must consider the people here and if you’re willing to let them die as fodder in the war.”
“No one dies unless they decide to put themselves in harm’s way,” Justin said as he walked in with Travis and Caden flanking him.
“Does everyone just listen right outside the door until they can make a grand entrance?” Jace muttered under his breath. Bryn and Sage looked at each other over him, a smile on their faces since that was exactly what they had both done.
“Bryn, we need you. The dead are not getting deader, but they are getting smellier, and it’s attracting undesirables.” Justin turned before she could nod, pointing to Travis. “You head out with her to help. There are too many, and it’ll take too long to handle it herself.”
“I will assist her in this endeavor,” Callum offered, and Justin turned narrowed eyes on the man.
“Will you now, new guy? I am not sure how much I trust you running around my town when I still have no grasp on how you got in.” Justin was not going to budge on this, Bryn knew it, but she wanted Callum to go. He, like Danu, had answers. This would give her enough time to pick his brain without interruption.
“Oh, Justin, so much of Lugh and his need for justice has prevailed in you.” Danu smiled, but Justin just cut her a look before settling his eyes back on Callum.
“She is the goddess of war. I do believe she can handle one man,” Callum said with a calm expression, while Bryn wasn’t sure she would have kept a straight face saying those words.
Everyone but Jace and Sage, who already knew, looked at her.
“War?” Declan said with disbelief, as if it made more sense for someone, anyone else, to be the goddess of such a thing.
Bryn couldn’t argue with that. She was not the most violent, nor did she crave it. Confrontation? Nope, she broke into a cold sweat at the thought. Blood? Pass right on out, thank you.
She had about as much ability, mentally or physically, for war as an apple.At least an apple could be used as a weapon, she mused.
Justin shook his head as if trying to dislodge the thought.
“She is scared of blood,” Declan blurted out, everyone in the room looking at him at his outburst.
“Perhaps”—Danu tilted her head as she looked at Declan— “she is not scared of blood but of herself. Some say those who were built for war, but never tasted it, knew once the blood flowed, their thirst would never be quenched.”
Bryn hardly thought that was her problem as her stomach bottomed out at the thought of being near blood, much less bloodthirsty.
Something about Declan’s resolve in this told her that he was nearing a point of no return in offending Danu, and she would not let that be the reason she lost her temper with Declan today.
“Callum can come with me. I am sure he will behave,” Bryn offered, but Justin and Declan were unmoved.
“How do we know he won’t do something to her out of our sight? I mean, hell, he damn near killed us with you here watching!” Declan yelled, his arm waving toward Callum as he stared at Justin.
Justin’s eyes moved to Bryn’s face as if taking her measure.
“I think Bryn can handle it with Callum helping. Everyone else is needed elsewhere. If there is an issue”—Justin looked at Declan before returning his eyes to her own— “you call, and I will have someone stationed nearby to help. I can’t have them watching you, we lost too much in the storm and have to focus on saving what we can, but they will be close enough to help.”
The last word was pointed at Travis, who nodded in affirmation that he would be the one to stand nearby as guard.
Declan was having none of it and moved to stand in her way of the door, the stubborn glint in his eye all too familiar to her.
“Bryn, I’ll go with you.” While it sounded like a demand, she knew him enough to hear the plea there. He was more concerned than anyone in the room about her being with Callum alone.
While some might think it sweet he cared so much, she found herself angry that he thought so little of her.
Goddess of war? He would never see it nor believe it if she gave in.Shewould never believe it if she constantly stepped aside for other people’s wishes.
“Push past the fear. He may be a mountain of a man, but I’ve known you to move mountains if you so will it,”she heard Danu say into her mind. Not looking at the older woman, she kept her focus on Declan as she lifted her chin.
