Page 49 of The Night Vision
“But he won’ be forgetten’ about ye and ye’ll be chasin’ ‘im in his nightmares,” Eoin said, beaming at Tighe. “It’s good to see yer doin’ well, brother.”
“I am! And you have a family! They’re so beautiful, Eoin!”
“Aye! Ye’ve seen ‘em, then!” he said excitedly. He attempted to sit up and grunted as he hugged his side.
“Don’t do that!” Tighe scolded as he got up and carefully eased a few more pillows behind Eoin’s shoulders. “They said you’re going to make a full recovery but youhave tobe still for a few days.”
“I have to get back. Deidre must be sick with worry,” Eoin said but Tighe shook his head.
“Agent Nelson got a message to her and she’s seen pictures of you resting, to prove you’re safe and recovering.”
Eoin relaxed, his gaze drifting to Silas. “And who’re ye?” he asked and Tighe smiled over his shoulder at him.
“That’s Silas. He’s mine,” he said, causing Silas’s tummy to do a somersault and his lips to spread into a goofy grin.
“It’s good to meet you, Eoin.”
Eoin stifled a groan as he held his hand out and Silas rushed to take it. “It’s good to meet ye, brother.”
“Easy!” Silas clasped his hand warmly, lowering it onto the bed. “Let’s get you mended and back to your family, where you belong.”
“I would appreciate that. And where is it ye belong? Where’re ye takin’ Tighe after this?” Eoin asked and Silas shrugged.
“We’re not sure yet, but it’s going to be someplace quiet and away from the city. I’m taking your brother back to the forest as deep in the woods as I can handle. But you’ll be able to call or write as much as you want now and I can bring Tighe up to New Hampshire to visit.”
“Can ye?” Eoin looked at Tighe, laughing. “I prayed I’d get to see ye one more time and to know ye were well, but to have ye back home? I would die happy to see ye holdin’ me wee lass.”
Tighe nodded rapidly, his eyes shimmering. “I’ll come as soon as I can. Even if I have to go in a car.”
“Och! I’ve been in one of them bastards,” Eoin said with a shudder.
There was a soft tap at the door before it opened and Nox leaned in. “How’s the patient doing?” he asked in a gentle whisper.
“Come on in! It’s yer room, ain’t it?” Eoin said gruffly and Nox bowed his head.
“It is,” he said as he entered, one arm behind his back. “I’m Lennox MacIlwraith. Welcome to my home. I’ve brought a…housewarming gift for you and your brother,” he told Eoin and revealed two very odd, ugly dolls. They appeared to be made out of filthy bits of rag and twigs with tufts of frizzy gray hair.
Tighe took one and sniffed it. “Uck!” he held it away and risked a glance at Nox. “Thank you?” he said weakly.
“It’s your poppet,” Nox said as he set the other at the foot of the bed.
“It’s a poppet!” Tighe parroted, jumping excitedly. “We have a poppet, Silas! Look at it!” he waved it at Silas but he leaned back, not wanting the disgusting thing near him.
“I see that.”
Nox crossed his arms over his chest, amused. “There were plenty of scraps to work with and Merlin took a powerful ring off of Dùbhghlas’s finger. It’s in Tighe’s poppet. We’ll help both of you burn them and show you were to bury the ashes so your homes are protected. We’re pretty sure Dùbhghlas has learned his lesson about messing with Ossors after Tighe went berserk but the poppets are good insurance.”
“I love it!” Tighe hugged the foul thing, looking pleased. “Now we can have our own place.”
“I can’t wait.” Silas was ready to get the hell out of Georgetown and have Tighe all to himself.
“I hope you won’t go too far,” Nox said. “We’ll miss you and you never know when you might need a hand and we could always use another pair of brave,goodhearts.”
“We won’t!” Tighe replied before Silas could answer. “We owe you and I don’t want Hugh Dùbhghlas to hurt anyone else.”
Silas couldn’t argue with that. He never would have known Tighe existed if it weren’t for Nox. “We won’t go too far.”
“You don’t owe me anything but I'm really glad to hear it. Feel up to eating some soup?” Nox asked Eoin.
