that important?' Wilson whispered.
`Yeah, I thought it was a cover, but…' He glanced at them, reading their scents. `They really are sisters. Bloodells don't do happy families.'
`They don't look like sisters.'
`That's because you're men,' Ruth said. `Ignore hair and height differences. They're sisters.'
`Oh.' Wilson shrugged.
Mason would have smiled, but Gaia turned to him, reaching out for his family while the sisters approached to accept her other hand.
Everything slowed. Mason hestitated. He felt the urge to run but Gaia smiled some more and his legs went heavy. He stared back, knowing something unexpected was about to happen whether he liked it or not.
Ruth glanced at Mason, statue-like beside her. Gaia's fingers made a soft rustle as she beckoned again. `Child.'
Ruth's eyes widened as she grasped what was happening.
The voice touched her mind again. `Trust I have in you.' Ruth followed Gaia's glance at Mason. `He is strong-willed, loving. But tainted with a powerful rage.'
`Mum?'
`I can hear her, in my mind.'
`But Dad's not moving.'
`I think he's okay.' Ruth looked back to Gaia.
`Hunter needs to listen and let us speak.'
`Gaia is kind of making sure he doesn't lose his temper just right now.' Ruth glanced at Mason standing stony-faced beside her.
`Uh-huh,' Wilson muttered, resting his hand, hot and strong, on her shoulder. `I don't like this.'
`We've got to trust her, Wil.'
`Not her — them.' His finger moved in the corner of her vision.
`I don't think the sisters are going to try anything with Gaia here.' Ruth hoped she was right. The sisters didn't look dangerous to her. And they smelt nice.
`The sisters will not harm you or your family.'
`Gaia says they won't try anything, Wil.'
`Hey, he's—' Renee shut up as Nikki spun round and grabbed her by the face.
`Keep your mouth shut and behave.' Nikki leaned in closer and, though she whispered, Ruth found she could hear easily. `Don't screw this up. We're here because Gaia wants us to be. She's not one to invite our kind anywhere.'
`The Darkells child is right. To act rashly now would be a mistake. Tell her so.'
`Oh.' Ruth wanted to know what a Darkells was, but now was not the time. She wet her lips and felt the command flow through her, from Gaia.
`Now is not the time to argue. To act rashly now would be a mistake.' Physical energy rippled out, filling her as the ground shifted beneath her feet. The sisters froze as the air vibrated.
`Mum?'
`The Voice of Gaia,' Nikki said, letting her sister go. `The woman is at one with the goddess. Gaia, I give you my word that she, that we shall not act in a rash manner.'
Ruth blinked as Nikki's fear tainted the air. Again with the scents? What was happening with her sense of smell?
`My time here is short, child, so listen. There must be no war between the Douglas and Darkells clans. Take my hand.'
Ruth slipped her hand into Gaia's, enjoying the warmth of her touch.
`What are you doing?' Wilson squeezed her shoulder. `Mum, what's happening?'
`I think Gaia wants to show us something, to make sure that there is no distrust between us and the sisters.'
`She wants a treaty between us and Butcher?' Renee stared at Gaia's outstretched hand.
`No. Peace between my family and yours.' Ruth felt how right her words were. When Mason was with her, he was not Butcher. Just a loving family man. `To have no bloodshed between us.'
`Why?' Nikki looked to her. `Why would we do this?'
`Without each other, both clans will perish. A war is coming and the clans must be united.'
`A war?' Ruth's mouth went dry but she didn't move her hand. `I don't understand.' She ignored the question on Nikki's face and Wilson's grip on her shoulder. Gaia held her attention.
`Another seeks to take this world. All here will perish. You will watch your children die as Hunter is lost to the darkness.'
`My children?' She touched her abdomen out of instinct. `I cannot have any more children.'
`You will have children, many more. You are mother, lover, wife. All that is yet to be, hangs on you. It is you who have to lead here, because Hunter cannot. He is blinded by hate and will be lost if he cannot find his true self.
`The Darkells can help, but they have to be as kin. You alone cannot do this, and they need you as well. Follow your instincts, child, for they are a powerful gift.'
`What's she saying?' Nikki asked, excitement in her voice.
`Yeah, what is going on?' Wilson's heartbeat was loud in her ears.
`Okay,' she said touching Wilson with her free hand. `We need to agree to a treaty between our two families. That's the word, right?' Gaia nodded. `Treaty between us and the sisters.'
`You think that's a good idea?'
`The other option is we continue trying to live as we have been. Is that what you want, Wil?' Ruth's stomach churned.
`No,' Wil's grip eased. `I want to stop trying to second guess everything. I want us to be together and safe. I want Sal to be safe when she's with me.' His hand joined hers in Gaia's.
`Are you nuts?' Renee pulled Nikki back from taking Gaia's hand.
Nikki's eyes fixed on Ruth. `Maybe I'm nuts but, but it feels right.'
`It feels right!' Renee threw her hands up and backed away. `Gaia's not a deity who has been exactly friendly to us. And him,' she pointed at Mason, `he's the freaking Butcher!'
Ruth sagged. Renee was right. Mason would never—
`I believe in you, Ruth.' Mason moved to join their hands in Gaia's. `Like I said, you know how to love and trust. It will not be easy but,' his arm went around her, `I will try.'
Ruth leaned against him, feeling his body hot and tense. `You can start by not glaring at them. I can feel you doing it.'
`Old habits die hard.'
`No way am I doing this.' Renee stood, arms crossed, behind her sister.
Ruth almost felt the grating
