throw up.
The uncomfortable moment was averted when Ronan walked into the room wearing jeans, apologizing that he’d arrived late. Bree looked at the back of the room where Ronan sat in his kilt, polishing his sword. There were two of them? Faelan had told her twins ran in the clan. God help the female population.
“Faelan, Bree, this is Declan, Ronan’s twin,” Sean said. He asked Declan, “How did the battle go?”
“I got him in the vault,” the handsome warrior said, “but he was a whiner.”
“I hate the whiners,” Niall agreed. “I’d rather have one fight to the death.”
Including Bree in his welcome, Declan walked over to Faelan and clasped his hand. “The legend lives.” He searched Faelan’s face with wonder. “Welcome home. I’ve heard stories about your suspension since I was a lad, and I have to admit, I believed they were fables the trainers made up to keep us in line. ‘Pay attention. Don’t underestimate the demons. Remember what happened to the Mighty Faelan,’” Declan said, his voice theatrically gruff.
There were chuckles and commiserating nods from the others as Faelan grimaced.
“Soon the legend will be the Mighty Faelan on wheels,” Brodie said. “You think he’s good with a sword? You should see him drive. Left Tomas in the dust.”
“Like you weren’t right beside me,” Tomas grumbled.
Bree had watched them racing their vehicles over the fields like little boys playing with toy cars. Faelan learned fast.
“I would be honored to help you fight Druan,” Declan said, “but now I want to hear this story. I’ve heard at least five versions in the last twenty-four hours. My cell phone hasn’t stopped ringing. A warrior in Sweden said he heard Faelan had found the virus and had it in the time vault with him all along.”
“You’ve just missed it, but it wouldn’t hurt us all to hear it again, so we’re clear on the facts.” Sean waited for Bree to agree. She pulled out a smile and nodded at the grand opportunity to relive her stupidity before an audience of superheroes.
“Wait up. Anna’s right behind me, and Cody MacBain’s with us. I know they’ll want to hear this too,” Declan said.
“Cody MacBain’s the one who suspended that demon of old last year,” Tomas whispered to Brodie, his voice hushed with admiration.
“Two legends in one room. It’s enough to give a man an inferiority complex,” Brodie replied.
A woman with black hair and the most incredible turquoise eyes Bree had ever seen stepped into the room. She was followed by a dark-haired man that made Bree’s jaw drop. His eyes were intense, radiating danger. He scanned the room, gaze settling on Faelan before moving to her. The room faded, and Bree saw a wispy image of a woman standing next to the man. Not Anna. This woman was blond, her green eyes dull with pain and loss and fear, and she bore a scar. A letter carved into her skin.
The room resurfaced as the vision faded. Bree was slumped against Brodie, who stared at her, his expression puzzled. Only he and Tomas had noticed.
“Sorry,” she whispered. “Too much wine last night.”
“I told you that you were overdoing it, but do you ever listen to me?” Tomas quipped.
Brodie blushed as red as his hair but continued to watch Bree.
“I think most of you know Cody MacBain from America,” Declan said. “He’s here looking for Angus.”
Cody nodded to everyone, then to Faelan, the intensity in his eyes replaced with curiosity and respect. “There isn’t a warrior alive who hasn’t heard of the Mighty Faelan. Can’t say I believed you were real.” He shook Faelan’s hand and nodded to Jamie, whom he seemed to know. Sorcha scooted closer to Jamie, offering Cody a seat.
Anna greeted the warriors and approached Faelan. Before he could jump up, she leaned down and shook his hand. Her white T-shirt lifted as she bent. Bree could see symbols on Anna’s back, similar to Faelan’s, but starting above her hips and opening to a vee below her waist.
She rose, and every male eye followed as she moved to sit cross-legged on the floor in front of Bree. Every male except Faelan, still staring at Bree, his face a maze of secrets, and Duncan, glaring at Sorcha, who preened between Jamie and Cody like a cat who’d stolen the cream.
Brodie tapped Anna’s shoulder, and when she turned, he gazed hard into her eyes.
“Not in this lifetime, Brodie.”
“Humph. You never know.”
“I’d dive into a volcano first.”
“Spoilsport. The snake wasn’t real.”
“Put another one in my bed, and you won’t be, either.”
“What’d I tell you?” Tomas muttered, nudging Brodie.
“Watch out for this trickster,” Anna said to Bree, then glanced around the room as Brodie mumbled about people not having a sense of humor. “Where’s Angus?”
Duncan dragged his gaze from Sorcha. “He’s not here. Last time he checked in, he was looking for you. Said he’d see you back here. He was upset, wouldn’t say what it was about.”
“He tried to call me, but I’d didn’t have my phone.”
“You? With no phone?” Brodie said.
“The demon I was battling ate it.”
