Page 33 of The Night Vision
“Cenn stepped out but we can go ahead and start without him. He doesn’t really eat,” Niall said as he sat.
Nox was seated at the end and Nelson was on his right. Merlin was at Nox’s left and Arawn was next to him. Silas and Tighe fell into the seats next to Nelson, positioning them in the middle of the table. Fletcher, Bryn, and Everly sat across from them. The seat opposite Nox was left vacant when Niall sat next to Everly and there was some murmuring about it as plates of roasted vegetables, a wild rice salad, and smoked salmon were passed around.
“I don’t like him—Smoak,” Tighe whispered to Silas, earning a soft hum of agreement.
“I wouldn’t mind if he skipped dinner,” he whispered back, smiling as his knee bumped against Tighe’s under the table.
There was speculation as to whether Smoak would even join them as the rolls were being passed around but he strode into the dining room, his expression grim.
“The warlock knows you’ve taken his Ossor,” he declared, settling into the armchair across from Nox like it was a throne.
Nox waved his roll dismissively. “That means we made it just in time. We knew that Dùbhghlas and his minions were on Tighe’s trail and they would have heard that we’d found him.”
“I’m nothisOssor,” Tighe answered, shaking his head and glancing at Silas. There was only one person who could claim Tighe’s heart and loyalty and it wasn’t Hugh Dùbhghlas or Lennox MacIlwraith.
“We’ll see,” Smoak said with a shrug and wagged his finger at Nox. “He’s in a state over this and he’s guessed that you have an oracle.”
There was a loud scrape as Nox’s chair slid back and he stood. “He knows about Tony?”
“Dùbhghlas doesn’t know who or where your oracle is yet but he suspects Pooles Island might be its sanctuary.”
“We’ll get word to Tony and Ronan,” Nox said, shaking his head. “Dùbhghlas can’t set foot on Pooles Island. Ronan won’t let him and it’sheavilywarded. Nothing can harm Tony there but he needs to be warned about leaving the island.”
“That’s probably a good idea,” Smoak replied. “No one’s heard of this Tony yet, but he’s clearly very powerful.”
Nox grinned. “Tony’s a natural and recently discovered his ability, but we’re keeping him a secret. He has no interest in fame or performing prophecies for pay.”
“Tony has no interest or you won’t share your oracle?” Smoak countered and Nox pulled a face as he sat.
“Do I strike you as a tyrant?” he said.
“You do,” Smoak said, pointing at Nox before he could object. “You’ve got a gentle touch and you’ve lulled them into accepting your peace but what—or who—would you burn to prevent a Hunt?” he asked and the change in the twins was immediate.
Arawn reached for Bryn when he started to rise and both swelled and stifled snarls.
“I’ll behave,” Bryn said as he stared Smoak down. “He knows we’re ready but Nox isn’t obsessed with power and ruling like you and Dùbhghlas.”
Smoak laughed, smacking his hand on the table. “He is biding his time! He’s just begun to learn what it means to be a god and he’s still testing his own limits and abilities,” he said, no longer amused as his expression turned severe, his eyes glowed bright blue, and his voice deepened. “This lifesatisfies him and serves his ego—for now—but he’ll tire of it and the god in him will grow restless. The world will get darker and your society will struggle as Dùbhghlas and others like him gain more power andbuild their armies.Iwill get stronger as my children reap the souls of the lost and the sun god willhave toanswer the prayers of the innocent and restore balance.”
“That isyourplan, Smoak!” Merlin accused in an indignant splutter, his face red as he hopped to his feet. “You’ll divide the world, just like you seek to divide us, to bait the god within Nox but it won’t work. Clancy already tried that with a cult and Dùbhghlas twisted an undead changeling and summoned a kraken to challenge Nox and those failed too.”
“Give the god within him time,” Smoak said with a suggestive lift of his brows. “One day, it will devour the child you raised,” he predicted but Merlin lifted his chin defiantly.
“I know him better than you do and that will be your downfall, mark my words.”
“That’s enough,” Nox said, taking Merlin’s hand and giving it an affectionate squeeze before rising and silently striding from the room.
All eyes were on Nelson as he wiped his lips with his napkin and sat back, signaling that he was done as well.
“Tell Smoak he’s wrong,” Merlin urged Nelson. “He is the Father of Demons and a master of riddles but he’s underestimated our Nox.”
“Go ahead, tell me,” Smoak said and snickered as he rested his chin on his fist but Nelson shook his head, calm as he stood and buttoned his coat.
“I don’t know. You could be right, Smoak, but it doesn’t matter. Wherever Nox goes, whatever his fate is, it will be mine as well. I’ll follow him on a Hunt or to Hell, if that’s what he chooses. So will they,” he said with a nod at the twins, Fletcher, and Everly.
Bryn nodded, his smile stretching menacingly as he watched Smoak. “Tony would die for Nox and Ronan’s already provedhe’ll fight whatever Dùbhghlas or the darkness throws at him. I know where I’m starting when Nox says it’s time.”
“Is that so, pup?” Smoak chuckled and rolled his eyes. “I could possess you now and make you maul your husband and rip your own eyes out.”
