The Wickerlight by Mary Watson

Author:Mary Watson
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781408884928
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Published: 2019-04-30T16:00:00+00:00

At HH, Cassa insists Oisín must face the tribunal alone.

While we wait, Cill wanders off, probably to annoy Ian and Elliot. I stay outside Cassa’s court. I’m jiggling my leg as I sit on the hard chair, then I’m standing, then pacing outside the door.

What is taking them so long? Is Oisín able to speak for himself or is he self-destructing in there? I really don’t want another of Niall’s rows.

But what I’m most afraid of is that he’s confessed to telling the augurs Badb’s offering. I don’t want to think of the trouble that would cause.

I go downstairs to the Harkness Foundation office to see if Laney is around. She might have some idea of how bad things are. Laney may be Cassa’s assistant, but she’s our childhood friend. Oisín’s first kiss.

She’s not there, but at the tall windows near her desk is Wren. Cill’s there with her. He’s leaning over her, not too close, but his stance is aggressive. His smile is a sneer.

And again, I’m hit by the shame from yesterday. It’s like being slapped in the face with a wet fish.

‘Go on then, use your magic to make me go away.’ Cill looks down on her with outright hostility. ‘Oh right, you don’t have any.’

‘Cill,’ I warn as I approach them.

‘I don’t have to explain myself to you.’ Wren is annoyed. I wonder how many of these conversations she’s had. How many times she’s been sabotaged by pissed-off judges who want answers.

‘You may have Cassa fooled. But we don’t believe you are some magic flower girl. Right, David?’

‘Cill.’ I’m closer. ‘You really need to stop.’

‘What do you tell your grover boyfriend, Wren?’ Cill ignores me. ‘When you sneak out to meet him?’

‘Would you ever just shut up?’ Wren tries to sound bored but I’m not buying it. He’s rattling her.

Cill moves closer to Wren. She’s uncomfortable but stares him down. She won’t show how much he’s intimidating her.

I place both my hands on his shoulders and steer him away.

‘Give her some space, OK?’ I pat him on the back. ‘If you have concerns, take them to Cassa.’

Cill is looking at me with astonishment. I’ve gone so far off script that he’s gaping at me like he doesn’t know me.

‘Fuck you, David.’ He marches to the door, slamming his hand against the wooden surface.

Wren’s looking at me with those eyes that dissect. Lucia’s armour pulls again, but this time I feel stronger for it.

‘I’m sorry.’

They are difficult words to say. Words that choke a throat. Funny how my stupid pride, all the things that once seemed important, just aren’t any more.

‘I’m sorry,’ I say again, and this time it’s easier. ‘For terrorising you. For making you afraid.’ For being one of those boys.

She takes a sharp intake of breath and looks away. I’m glad for it. But I sense my strangled apology means something to her. And saying it has made me feel lighter.

I leave the Foundation office and head to the marble staircase. Canty rings, just as I see Oisín coming down.

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