Stone of Destiny(38)

“This is Samantha,” Liam said moving over to my other side.

“Well, hello Samantha,” Deaghlan said, tilting his head to the side.

Samantha’s voice was barely a whisper. “Hi.”

“And this is Deaghlan, Niamh and Aoife’s father,” Liam said.

So that means he’s my grandfather?

I busted out laughing and even Niamh smiled, hearing the question in Samantha’s mind.

“That’s correct, Samantha. He is your grandfather,” Niamh said, barely concealing the laughter in her voice.

Deaghlan’s reaction was priceless. His eyes bulged and his mouth gaped. He looked like a fish on the line.

“While this is all very entertaining, perhaps someone could explain to me what is going on?” Deaghlan said.

“The quick version is Aoife had a baby and didn’t tell anyone. That’s pretty much all you need to know,” I said.

The line of Deaghlan’s jaw tightened. “So it would seem. Funny how Saoirse didn’t see this coming.”

Nobody spoke for a beat. I was never able to handle awkward silences well.

“If Aodhan and Saoirse are there, why aren’t you with them?” I asked.

Surprise widened Deaghlan’s eyes. “You’re rather feisty, Allison. I like it.”

I laughed without feeling. “You didn’t answer the question.”

In the blink of an eye, he was in front of me. “That’s simple. Saoirse and Aodhan had things under control. I don’t think my presence was required.”

Ethan moved to my side, putting his hand on the small of my back. Deaghlan was completely unmoved.

My hands balled into fists. “What? Are you feeling left out, Deaghlan?”

Deaghlan prowled even closer, lowering his head so I could feel his warm breath. “Easy, Allison. You forget who you’re talking to.”

“Father, let’s get back to the issue at hand,” Niamh said.

He’s right, Allison. Don’t push him.

Staring at the floor, I pushed down the irritation inside me. Being mad at Deaghlan made it easier to not become ensnared by him. When I looked back up into his icy blue eyes, my anger was replaced with pure, raw fear.

Deaghlan smirked and stepped back. Without looking away, he said to Niamh, “Your mother won’t be long. She’ll return and you can make your plans. Perhaps even let me know what they are.”

He turned on his heel and was gone.

“What is his deal?” I asked Niamh.

She sighed. “It’s like you said. He’s feeling left out. It happens whenever he neglects his responsibilities for too long and my mother makes decisions without him.”

“I don’t like the guy,” Ethan said, his hand curving around my waist.

“Can’t say I blame you,” Liam said. “But don’t do what Allison has done and provoke him.”

I shrugged at the look he gave me. “Why should I let him bully me?”

“It’s best to just let him go on and not react,” Niamh said.

“Let’s go find Aodhan and Saoirse,” I said. “It’s too bad you guys don’t have phones in this place.”

“I don’t usually need one,” Niamh said, smirking. “It must be the pollution in Aoife’s land that’s keeping me from reaching my mother. I’ve never come home and not been able to communicate with her.”

“You’ve never had trouble hearing my thoughts around iron, how come that happens here?” I asked.

Niamh smiled. “Here is very different from there.”

“Allison, I think it would be best if the three of you stay here and let Niamh and I go on ahead,” Liam said.

I blinked. “No. No way,” I said, not sure I heard him right.

“Let’s not make this an argument,” Niamh said. “It will take Liam and me minutes to get there, where it would take the entire group hours.”

“Wait,” I said, backing up. “What are we supposed to do here?

“Just wait. Get some rest if you can,” Liam said.

I looked at Ethan to back me up, but the apologetic look he gave me said that wouldn’t happen. Was I being irrational? Samantha’s voice snuck into my head.

They’ll be fast. It makes sense for them to go on ahead. Don’t take it personally.

I blew out a breath. “Fine,” I said, shrugging. “Go then.”

Liam looked torn for a moment. “I’d like for you to trust me, okay?” he asked, looking between me and Samantha.

I didn’t answer, but Samantha nodded. Liam ran his hands through his hair and with one last look, he and Niamh took off to find Aodhan and Saoirse.





Within seconds of Niamh and Liam’s departure, three young women came into the gathering room. They all wore jewel-toned gowns like most Danaan females. Their hair was braided with flowers and flowed down their backs.