He went through it before he rose.
“Now, what I’m hoping is Marco’s got a hot meal planned.”
“I can tell you he does, and that I’d like to go over with him first, explain all of this.”
“All right then. Brian should be coming along soon. I’ll wait for him.”
“Appreciate it.”
“I need to go back to the Capital, deal with the spy and his Judgment. I’ll be leaving the targets up, Harken, and hope either you or Morena can take Breen through some training there tomorrow.”
“I’ll see to that,” Morena told him. “And with Marco as well, as he could use the practice there. When you see my family, give them love.”
“Sure I will. I’ll be a few days, I expect. Not as long as the last time.” He looked at Breen as he spoke. “But a few days.”
“You’ll take Mahon with you.” Aisling waved a hand. “I know you’ve had him stay close for the past weeks, and I’m grateful. But we’re all fine, and he should be with you for this.”
“She’s the right of it. And only said it before I said it myself,” Mahon told him.
“I won’t argue with that, as I could use you. At daybreak then. Three or four days,” he told Aisling. “No more.”
“I’ll fetch Kelly, and if you’d free Marco from our hooligans, Breen, tell them their da and I are coming. Safe travels to you.”
She stepped to Keegan, kissed his cheek.
“Thanks to everyone for making the time.” Breen laid a hand on Marg’s shoulder. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
She got her jacket and went out to see Marco, with Kavan riding his back, dancing like a lunatic to whatever crazed tune Finian played on the harmonica Marco had given him for his birthday.
Would Marco and Brian make a family one day? she wondered. Find a child who needed love and that family?
She hoped so.
“It’s time for Marco to go home.”
“But he’s teaching me to play!”
“You keep practicing.” Marco gave Finian’s hair a tousle before sliding Kavan to the ground. “And we’ll have another lesson soon. You got skills, kid.”
“I heard them myself. Your ma and da are coming. We’ll return tomorrow.”
“I’ll make a new song.”
“I can’t wait to hear it. Come on, Bollocks.”
He raced a circle around the boys, bowled the pup over, and gave Mab a series of adoring licks all before racing ahead.
“They never run out of juice,” Marco observed. “The kids or the dogs. It sure keeps the energy up. And I bet I sleep like a pile of rocks tonight. Hey, isn’t Keegan coming?”
“Yeah, he’ll be along.” They crossed field, road, field, and started up the steps, where Bollocks waited for them. “You’re not going to ask what we all talked about.”
“I know it’s super secret stuff.”
She took his hand as they crossed from one world to another.
“Not so much this time, and I can tell you they’ve caught one of Odran’s spies and taken him in for Judgment.”
“No shit? That’s pretty quick, right?”