“I need to know something.”
“Yes?”
“When a mind is broken by siren power, can it be fixed? Can they ever be normal again?”
The light left Lopaka’s face. I felt her mind focus on mine.
Why do you ask this, niece?
Oh, she was not happy. She didn’t want to show it, not in the middle of the reception, so she’d switched to mental speech. I felt bad. This was a party, a celebration, and I was ruining it for her.
Never mind. I’m sorry. This isn’t the time. We can talk about it later.
No. Something is weighing on your mind and conscience. I want to help you with this burden if I can. Tell me.
So I did, mind to mind. I told her how my battle with Eirene had destroyed the minds of the men we were fighting over, turning them into drooling idiots. I confessed that I’d been too ashamed, too afraid, to check on them, and that my actions and Eirene’s had been part of the root cause of the terrorist movement against the sirens.
I felt tears burn at my eyes as I confessed to her.
I didn’t mean to harm those men. I want to fix it, to help them if I can. But I don’t know how. I don’t even know if it is possible.
She let out a slow breath and looked around the room as if seeking an answer.
Celia, there were good reasons why we sirens retreated to our islands. It wasn’t just to protect ourselves. We were protecting humanity as well. Our powers can be very terrible. It is a great burden to try to use them wisely.
I was afraid of that.
But if I could find those men, is there anything I can do for them?
I do not know. But if you wish it, we can try.
I do. Very much.
Then we will speak of this again. In a few weeks, after you’ve had a chance to recover.
Thank you.
You’re very welcome.
She smiled.
I see the mage DeLuca coming with your drinks. I believe I’ll leave you to his tender care.
Bruno was coming all right, and he wasn’t alone. Sergei and Natasha were behind him, holding hands. Gilda and Isaac Levy, along with Lars, brought up the rear of the little procession. Bruno toted a pitcher filled with what looked suspiciously like margaritas, and the rest were carrying plates of food, some of which it appeared they’d imposed on the kitchen to run through a blender.
Adriana’s ring pulsed on my finger and I knew without being told that they were all coming to cheer me up and to distract me from my troubles. It was very nice of them and I was sure they’d be terribly disappointed if it didn’t work.
Well, I couldn’t let that happen.
So I drank … a little. I had liquified roast and vegetables. Later, Lars even enticed me out onto the dance floor.
Tomorrow I’d have to face my problems. But that was tomorrow. Tonight I let my friends help me relax and live in the moment, and if it wasn’t perfect, it was still pretty damned good.
Tor Paranormal Romance Books by C. T. Adams and Cathy Clamp
THE SAZI
Hunter’s Moon
Moon’s Web
Captive Moon
Howling Moon
Moon’s Fury
Timeless Moon
Cold Moon Rising
Serpent Moon
THE THRALL
Touch of Evil
Touch of Madness
Touch of Darkness
WRITING AS CAT ADAMS
Magic’s Design
Blood Song
Siren Song
Demon Song
Isis Collar
The Eldritch Conspiracy
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Cat Adams is the author of four previous Blood Singer urban fantasy novels:
Blood Song, Siren Song, Demon Song
, and
The Isis Collar
.
Cat Adams is the joint pen name of C. T. Adams and Cathy Clamp, who live in a small town deep in the heart of Texas. They are
USA Today
bestselling authors with their Thrall series, which begins with
Touch of Evil
, and with their critically acclaimed Sazi series, which begins with
Hunter’s Moon
.
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the authors’ imaginations or are used fictitiously.
THE ELDRITCH CONSPIRACY
Copyright © 2013 by C. T. Adams and Cathy Clamp
All rights reserved.
Cover art by Craig White
A Tor Book
Published by Tom Doherty Associates, LLC
175 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10010
Tor
®
is a registered trademark of Tom Doherty Associates, LLC.
ISBN 978-0-7653-2874-8 (trade paperback)
ISBN 9781429948265 (e-book)
First Edition: January 2013