by Sierra Rose
Ryan felt his anger burn but got a swift kick in the leg along with a short snap mentally before he could reply to that as Kerry’s eyes burned into his own in warning.
The eldest Fitzgerald had entered the room in the middle of this exchange and was now giving Ryan a very familiar glare.
“You shouldn’t have done this tonight,” he spoke lowly but they both knew their brother was deep into his memories again as he laid his head on the couch arm. “Roarke, let Mac take you upstairs. Stay with Jessica.”
He had to push this suggestion more than he liked but knew none of them were stable enough that night to deal with this any further.
“I killed them so maybe it is right if I die,” Roarke yawned, rubbing his eyes as he had once, but Mac had him then and was gently easing him back upstairs. He paused on the steps going up the curving staircase. “She was right. I was born evil or else I wouldn’t lose everyone I love, that’s why I’ll never tell Jessie.”
“C’mon, boyo, let’s get you back to bed before Jess wakes up and decides to fry us,” Mac urged softly, using the last of his energy to ease the younger man’s emotions so he could sleep again.
Ryan waved Kerry off, expecting his anger. “I know, I know. We need to handle this carefully and I rushed into it,” he sighed, flexing his fingers and wishing it was someone’s face. “I just wanted to see for myself.”
“I know but there are other issues we need to deal with and I hope he sleeps through them,” Kerry muttered, while now knowing who the first target of the wizard would be and just hoped they could stay together long enough to deal with him.
Struggling to keep his own emotions level and his powers on to help his younger brother, but it was getting harder.
The events of the day had left him tired so much that Mac nearly tripped on the last step going up and would have lost his grip if Maggie Cavanaugh hadn’t suddenly been there.
“There’s a lad,” she eased to Roarke’s other side and with a softer tone began murmuring lowly to him while shifting a look to Mac that easily could be read as ‘Back it off some.’
Cameron Young was pacing in the bedroom and muttering about losing people already when Maggie got Roarke back in and with one look knew what he’d be facing.
“Some nice relaxing sleep is all you need to take it away,” she kept talking even as Cam saw his friend’s eyes were normal but cloudy, which usually meant he was near regression. “Perfectly safe here.”
Roarke was still under, still seeing the past he’d rather forget, but Maggie’s gentle touch and musical voice was keeping him calm. However, he shook his head.
“Won’t be safe anywhere,” he replied softly, lying down, but he curled into an almost fetal position and only having Jessica move closer in her sleep kept him from going into a total withdrawal. “Can’t sleep because it’s not safe. One day, one day she said I’ll die like I should’ve,” he yawned, burying his head into a pillow.
“Who said that, Roarke?” Mac asked from the bottom of the bed, taking a slow breath before preparing to cast one final spell that night.
His brother shifted slightly, unknowingly reaching for his sleeping friend but did finally answer Mac. “Gran.”
Cam nearly groaned but Mac just nodded, kneeling at the side of the bed to place a hand on his brother’s back but didn’t make contact, knowing he wasn’t ready for that.
“Be careful,” Maggie urged softly but saw the hand start to shimmer in a way she had never seen before.
“Go to sleep, baby brother,” he spoke softly, closing his eyes to focus. “You feel no fear, no pain. You hear only the fairies singing to you from the hill outside where we would play. Sleep now and take what you need.”
Maggie’s eyes jerked at this and started to grab his hand but Ian was there and she saw his eyes were a darker gray-blue right then.
“He knows what to do,” he spoke but the voice seemed stronger, then he blinked at her as if in surprise. “That was weird.”
Before she could ask, she was moving to catch Mac before he fell back and Cam and Ian were there.
“You are pushing way too far now.” the mercenary leader told him firmly, looking back to see his friend was still and seemed to be at peace. “Let him rest and you better get some too.”
Mac was about to object when Ian crossed his arms, leaning on the bedroom door.
“Push too hard, push too fast and you won’t be any good to them,” he chided lightly, causing Maggie to frown and Cam to roll his eyes.
“I also know that Kerry’s in no mood for me to tell him this,” Mac muttered, lightly smacking his youngest brother on the forehead. “Snap back!”
Ian blinked and rubbed his head. “What? I was just going to say I’ll hang out until we’re sure he’s alright.”
“That’s a fine plan, lad,” Maggie shot him a bright smile, pulling Mac out of the room before he could argue. “You stay for an hour or so then turn it to Mr. Young’s lot.”
Cam watched as the red-haired reporter plunged ahead and scratched his head. “Yeah, when he gets some sleep Mac will love the idea he got railroaded by her. Considering Ryan’s around to rub it in his face at every chance.”
“I don’t need a bloody nursemaid,” Mac was tired and cranky but didn’t feel like putting the strength in arguing with the woman.
“No, you need your bloody head examined for pushing too much,” Maggie shot back as they stopped by what she guessed was his room. “You’ve had your powers for how long? Since childhood I’m guessing, so you should know not to leave yourself this weak or open yourself up to too much.”
Scowling at the mild lecture, Mac turned to open the door to the guest room since Deirdre had known it would be too hard on them to use the rooms they’d had as children.
“Because I do know that I’ll apologize for snapping just now,” he replied, leaning against the door to rest his eyes a second. “It’s never been easy to see one of them hurting, especially Roarke.”
Mac paused as he looked into the intense green eyes that were looking up at him. “If you stay, you’ll see more than you’ll like,” he warned, hoping she’d leave since he didn’t want to see anyone else hurt. “Aside from us fighting, there’s clearly more going on than we know and then there are things Kerry needs to come clean about.”
“I’ll cope, Doc,” Maggie teased, wanting to relieve some of his tension and was pleased to see his small smile as she stood on her tiptoes to lightly kiss his cheek. “You know how to show a lass a good time.”
“Hang around long enough and you’ll probably see a helluva lot more,” he countered, blaming his tiredness for what he did next. Mac was never one to do spur of the moment things but as she leaned up to give his cheek a light peck he placed his hands on her waist before moving to lightly kiss her lips.
Both knew it should have been a casual, light gesture brought on from stress and the events of the past days, but was expecting neither the friction nor desire that hit and neither saw the lights that started to flicker.
Mac broke the kiss, easing back slowly but keeping a hand on the young woman’s shoulder as he fought to regain a sort of balance. “I don’t normally do that type of thing, Maggie,” he sought to assure her then added, “but I don’t think I’m going to apologize for it either.”
“No, I don’t think you should either,” she replied, stepping back but not immediately breaking eye contact. “G’night, Mac.”
Mac stayed by his door until she had walked away fully and he heard a door click on the other side of the house. “Not what I need,” he muttered but didn’t try to get the kiss or the woman out of his head as he just flopped on the bed and drifted off.
On the outside the manor, on the edge of the grounds, a massive black wolf stalked back and forth in an agitated state. Once it stepped forward and then let out a painful howl as a black smoke hissed from its paw and it jumped back then ran away.
CHAPTER FIVE
Always an early riser, Kerry Fitzgerald rose slig
htly earlier than normal.
Having showered, shaved and dressed in his normal casual wear of slacks and shirt before going downstairs, he could tell that none of his brothers were up yet, and the few Mavericks that were had already started checking things outside.
The low singing from the kitchen was a relaxing normal activity that he had been hearing since childhood as Deirdre prepared food for breakfast and got things ready for meals all day since she had more to feed now.
After finally settling down for sleep, Kerry had thought things through more and knew he owed the woman an apology.
Humming as she rolled fresh dough for her biscuits, Deirdre O’Connor looked up as Kerry entered.
“I wasn’t sure when anyone would be up but the coffee’s ready and I can make you some breakfast right quick enough,” she told him, careful to keep her tone neutral since she expected his temper would still be upset.
Pouring his own coffee, Kerry walked behind the housekeeper and leaned around to gently kiss her cheek. “I’m sorry I snapped last night, Deirdre. It wasn’t you I should have taken my anger out on.”
Setting the rolling pin aside, the older woman turned to lay a hand on his face. “I did wrong for hiding those letters lad, but…”
“You could have destroyed them and I’ll want the other stuff but for now I’ll handle my grandmother,” Kerry replied, tensing as he felt something approaching and it was only a feeling he got once or twice a year. “Damn, she’s early.”
Deirdre frowned as she realized what he meant. “Your Gran’s visit isn’t until another few months.”
“Yeah, it’s bloody convenient how she shows up right now,” Kerry scowled, putting his cup down and leaving the kitchen just as Cameron Young was coming in.
“Mike says there’s a Rolls Royce coming up the drive,” he reported, knowing who that would be.
Kerry rubbed his neck and nodded. “Go up and stay with Roarke. If he wakes up while she’s here he could get upset.”
“No doubt on that, pal,” Cam muttered but he did so without question, which was odd for him.
Kerry paused at the front door to gain his full strength and center his power, looking up the stairs and glad this happened while his brothers were asleep.
Dealing with Kathleen Murphy Fitzgerald’s arrogance and temper would be bad enough without having to cope with Ryan’s temper since he learned what he has.
Stepping from the manor, Kerry walked slowly down the steps so he was waiting when his maternal grandmother’s large black Rolls Royce pulled up and stopped a few feet from him.
Born in Carrick on Shannon some seventy years ago, Kathleen Murphy married Sean Fitzgerald when she was seventeen and of their six children, only their eldest son, Toryn, lived to marry and have children of his own.
Her beloved husband had died many years ago, leaving her mistress of the ancestral home in Fitzgaren until her son’s marriage to the Kerrigan girl.
Kathleen had moved to Waterford with her son’s marriage as was custom but she always tried to keep a stern hand in his marriage and life. After the death of her son and daughter-in-law, Kathleen made the choice for her grandsons’ living arrangements even though Kerry had fought her bitterly about it, but she had won as always.
Pleased that she still had some control, she still traveled to the grand manor that would one day be hers again a few times a year. Though she had to admit her eldest grandson’s attitude had been less than friendly the last few visits.
Stepping from the car, she patted her salt and pepper hair that she kept tied in a tight bun before lifting a regal hand to wave to Kerry, who was waiting for her.
A tall woman, Kathleen was nearly 5’9” and proud to say she could still do as she did thirty some years ago. Dressed in a pale blue silk suit with a matching pair of low-heeled pumps, she smiled charmingly as he approached the car.
Coming from a family long with magical powers, Kathleen had always had powers and used them to her advantage. Her smile faded a little when she realized that a shield existed on her eldest grandson’s thoughts.
“Kerry, my darling, it’s been so long,” she held out her arms to him and smiled as he leaned down to lightly kiss both her flawless cheeks. “I know I’m early but I was sure you wouldn’t mind,” she waved to her chauffeur to begin unloading her bags. “It’s been so long since we’ve had a real chance to visit.”
Staring at the older woman who he came to realize long ago was keeping her flawless, ageless looks with the use of glamour spells, Kerry stopped her with a hand on the arm before she could breeze by him into the house.
“Actually, I do mind,” he replied, stopping the driver with a single look. “I told you last time that there was no reason for you to keep visiting like this.”
Kathleen frowned slightly, not caring for his tone or attitude. “Kerry, you know as I get on in years I treasure these visits with my eldest grandson,” she tried to soothe but encountered a brick wall in her attempt to get past his shields.
Kerry could have laughed at that but kept his face neutral. “Really, and how many times have you visited the others?” he challenged.
“What?” she stared at him.
“How many times have you visited your other grandsons, Grandmother?” Kerry repeated, his tone going colder. “I’m especially curious on how many times you visited Roarke.”
This time there was no mistaking how his grandmother looked at that question as she pursed her lips and turned to look toward the horse fields.
“Darling, as much as I adored you boys, I’m much too old to be going all over the country to visit each of them,” she waved it away casually.
“Well, that’s just odd since you were in County Mayo enough right after it happened to visit your friends the Walshes,” Kerry returned evenly, his eyes changing as he fought to stay calm. “I’m guessing you saw Roarke enough then. Was it before, during or after one of his so-called ‘punishments’?”
Kathleen clasped her hands in front of her, not caring for this discussion. “I do not know what you are talking about, Kerrigan, and I do not care for your tone. I will have tea in the parlor so please…” she stopped when he stepped in front of her.
“You do not give orders to me in my house, Grandmother,” Kerry informed her, his tone going cold and firm. “You stopped giving orders in this house the day my mother moved in, and it became mine when they died, and you will not step foot in it while my brothers are here.”
Her temper simmered but the last comment made her turn quickly. “Your brothers?” she repeated, clearly upset about that. “How many are here? Why?”
“Sebastian decided to return as I’m sure you know,” Kerry shrugged. “The spell Mum and Da cast to banish him must have worn off and it’s time to face it again. He made moves on all five of us so it’s only natural for all five of us to be under the same roof, right?”
“Kerry, you don’t want to go through this,” she argued, pressing her thoughts forward but gasped, as they were repelled. “I tried to warn your father to let it go but that woman he married just…” remembering where she was and to whom she was speaking with, Kathleen was quick to correct herself.
His eyes flashed dangerously. “You mean my ‘mother,’” he stressed lowly. “You wanted my Father to ignore the threat Sebastian posed and to let him break the Circle of Five even though it meant the death of one of his sons. That’s why you were so angry that day when you arrived to learn that Da had gone to Skelling Michael with Mum and Roarke.”
There was no longer any question or doubt in his mind as he stared at his stone-faced grandmother. There was just a slow burning anger.
“You knew what would happen on that island,” Kerry stared at her in disbelief. “You expected Sebastian to kill my mother and brother. Why?”
Kathleen didn’t reply at the accusations, waving them away. “Clearly someone has been manipulating your thoughts, darling,” she laughed, again trying to go around him but his fingers caught her arm. “Kerry.”
>
“Why did you do it?” he asked again, more demanding this time. “Dammit, tell me why!”
“Because she was never good enough for my son, that’s why!” Kathleen snapped back, whirling away to glare at him with a hatred he had never seen before. “Ever since I married your grandfather I heard about the prophecy of the Five and what it was expected to do. Well, Sean and I had six lovely children but only your father, my beloved Toryn, survived.”
Kerry remained silent as the older woman began to talk, rant actually, in her anger of his attitude.
“Toryn had so much potential for his future but he went and met that Galway whore,” Kathleen was so angry that she was unaware that her emotions were causing the sky to darken. “Then he defied me and married her when I had picked out a beautiful girl that would have matched him perfectly.”
“Then they had five sons and you realized that the prophecy would happen with us and that Da would protect his sons with his life,” Kerry sighed, having hoped he was wrong in his assumptions.
“I knew that Sebastian and your father had been battling for years and after Ian was born I knew what would happen if not stopped,” Kathleen twisted a ring on her hand and saw nothing wrong in her actions as she explained so the boy would understand.
“You must understand, darling. I had forbidden your father from having any other children after the whore bore him his first four but again due to her, he disobeyed me and Ian was born,” Kathleen shook her head in disgust. “I knew what would happen so I had, of course, to protect my son and his sons.”
His eyes went flat as he listened to his grandmother’s words. “Protect his sons? How did you figure on doing that with his wife and one son dead?” Kerry demanded.
Kathleen clucked her tongue at him as if chiding. “Darling, I had to choose the lesser of two evils. If Toryn only had four sons then the prophecy wouldn’t happen and Sebastian would be happy to leave him alone so another generation could take the risks of the Circle. Plus your father could be with a nice wholesome girl as I had chosen.”
“But it didn’t work out that way, did it?” Kerry asked, stomach flipping as he hoped his brothers stayed asleep. “Da decided to go to the island.”