Page 47 of The Night Vision
Eoin gave a careless shrug, dusting off his hands as he stepped over Dùbhghlas’s body. “Thanks ferfinallytakin’ me to me brother, ye vile shite,” he muttered as Tighe finally broke free and bolted for the gate.
He gave the handle a few punches before he was able to figure it out, then threw it open and launched himself over the sidewalk and the curb into his brother's outstretched arms.
“Eoin!” Tighe was weeping as they came together in a tight embrace.
“Aye, it’s me. Sorry it took so long but the mangy bastard had to run his gob fer days, makin’ threats against me family and havin’ his underlings thrash on me.”
“Did they hurt you?” Tighe asked but Eoin laughed it off.
“Me? Nah! I let ‘im think I was until he took me to ye and waited until his back was turned,” he explained clasping Tighe’s cheek and searching his face. “How are ye, Tighe? Have ye been well? I’ve never stopped worryin’ and then that slimy feck and his…monstrosities grabbed me. Said he was takin’ me to ye so I kept me gob shut and went with ‘em.”
“I’m good!Reallygood!” Tighe said but Nelson ran to the gate and urged them to get inside.
“We’re all relieved that Eoin’s well and I’m sure everyone else is as moved as I am,” he said in his steady monotone. “But we need to put this reunion on hold until we’re sure you’re both safe.”
Merlin humphed in agreement, leaning forward and craning his neck. “A celebration is in order but later,” he whispered as Nox took a cautious step closer to the gate.
“I told Hugh he was getting more than he bargained for, taking an Ossor from his family. We’ll get you home as soon as we can,” he said to Eoin, as if he were talking to an angry animal.
Eoin nodded but couldn’t seem to take his eyes off of Tighe. “I trust ye more than that slippery shite, Dùbhghlas,” he said and Tighe nodded.
“They’re good people. They’ve all been really kind to me.”
“No, no, no!” Nox shouted, pointing at Dùbhghlas’s body and everyone quieted and watched in horror as his limbs began to twitch.
“That’s not good,” Smoak said as he rose above them and hovered closer to the gate.
There were muffled pops, cracks, and groans as Dùbhghlas’s shoulders straightened and lifted. His neck sagged and his head dragged while his hips and legs untangled. Dùbhghlas flopped onto his chest and knees, then managed to get his arms under him. He pushed off the ground, his head still loose and swinging as his body arranged itself into a drunken but upright position. With some help from his hands, Dùbhghlas was able to lift his head and jam it into place.
“Let’s go!” Nelson yelled at Tighe and Eoin but the brothers took a few cautious steps back and raised their fists.
“No! Don’t!” Nox pleaded as he yanked Nelson back.
Silas opened his mouth to call for Tighe but he roared and pointed when Dùbhghlas drew a dagger from inside his coat. He went for Tighe just as Eoin grabbed his brother and pushed him at Nox. A loud grunt carried through the night as Eoin arched, then reached for Tighe as he fell.
“Eoin!”Tighe howled, his pain and fury erupting.
He let Eoin fall to the street as he leaped at Dùbhghlas, his blood-chilling shriek the only warning anyone had before Tighe grabbed the warlock and wentberserk.
“Stop!” Dùbhghlas jumped back, attempting to flee but Tighe had a hold of his blazer and tackled him, punching, clawing, and biting as they rolled on the street. Strangled screams and pleas could be heard as Dùbhghlas fought to get free but he was flipped onto his back and pinned by his neck. Tighe raised his head, slamming it down and crushing Dùbhghlas’s nose with his forehead, creating a spray of blood and a terriblecrunch!
There were several gasps and jaws fell when Tighe opened wide and dug his teeth into the side of Dùbhghlas’s neck. Loud gurgles of agony and terror and pleas spilled from Dùbhghlas as his limbs flailed and kicked. Bits of mangled flesh and blood flicked all over the pavement as Tighe tore with his teeth and scratched at Dùbhghlas’s face.
Tighe rose on a knee before diving at Dùbhghlas’s right shoulder and mauling it, ripping and tearing the coat’s sleeve and shredding the shirt beneath. Once again, Tighe’s mouth stretched with a feral scream as he attacked with his teeth, latching onto Dùbhghlas’s shoulder. Tighe’s head shook as it pulled and Dùbhghlas’s blood-choked screams echoed through the night.
Silas looked around nervously but all the other houses on the street remained dark and silent. The only other sound was Bryn’s awed “Fuck!” when Tighe ripped Dùbhghlas’s arm free and flung it behind him.
“Okay! That’s enough!” Nox yelled as he raised his hands. “Stad!”
The action in the street and the townhouse’s front yard stopped and Silas stared, frozen in place. Even the breeze and the leaves around Silas were still as Nox rubbed between his brows.
“When I say go, I want Bryn, Arawn, and Everly to charge and push Dùbhghlas through the veil. But no one else moves,justBryn, Arawn, Everly. Once Dùbhghlas is on the other side,the rest of us will collect Tighe and Eoin and bring them in.” He turned and checked all the faces behind him. “Everyone clear?” he asked but the most anyone could do was blink. “Contain Dùbhghlas if you can but do not follow him into a trap. I want you all back, safe and in one piece.”
With that, Nox lowered his arms and whispered something Silas couldn’t hear, setting everything in motion around him.
“Go!” Nox shouted and the twins and Everly charged the gate but Dùbhghlas took advantage when Tighe paused to look over his shoulder. Dùbhghlas rolled away and disappeared and Everly and the twins vanished half a second later. “Get them!” Nox commanded as he ran to the closest Ossor, falling to his knees next to Eoin and checking his pulse.
Silas headed straight for Tighe, along with Nelson and they both skidded to a halt when they reached the street and took in all the blood, mangled bits of fabric, and chunks of skin. Tighe was sitting on his heels, dazed and breathless as he stared at the gray tufts of Dùbhghlas’s hair and beard and his crushed hat. It was saturated with blood and a tooth was stuck to the brim.
