I thought so. It sounded like they were chanting something."
"Yes they were. 'Wake up little brother.'" I could not hold in the sob. Paddy put his arm around me.
"Sir, you said you were the surviving member of multiple births?"
"Yes Paddy."
"What happened to your brothers?"
"They died in different mishaps like your son." Paddy nodded.
"In one of my studies I discovered that there is a multiple birth every century or so of four boys. Three never see their first birthday."
"What?! We are to lose two more."
"Yes Kylie. Unfortunately I discovered that when four boys are born they maybe shifters but shifters of old. They grow fast but die young. Only one will have the millennialist blood in them."
"How will we know which one it is?"
"Easy the one that makes it to their first birthday." He looked at our shocked faces. "I do not mean to be crude but it is a fact."
"I am telling you this to prepare you. You two have been through so much. I hate to see this happen to you."
"There is nothing we can do?"
"No there is not."
We sat in shock for a long time. The Clan Elder had left. I never noticed him leave.
The Boys returned hours later this broke our trance. I went into the kitchen and started their dinner. Paddy and the Boys came into help.
Paddy showed them how to cut up vegetables while I cooked the chicken when they sat down to eat they just picked at their food.
"Did I burn the food?"
"No Momma just not very hungry yet."
I knew why Paddy was not eating. I was going to go out to feed but I did not feel like it now.
We decided to stay in and teach them how to play chess. Quinn was eager for some new opponents. He came to help teach them.
Quinn was staying up in the cabin with Cassie, Samuel and Ramon.
As we played Quinn asked about his room.
"It is still yours if you want it, you know?" Paddy said.
"I know but I am enjoying the sky right now."
"I understand Son."
The Boys looked at each other.
"Would we be able to use Quinn's room until he wants it back?" The Boys asked. Quinn nodded.
"I do not see why not."
"Yay."
The Boys liked sleeping together in the same room but they did need more space to grow.
After their chess lessons, we moved them into Quinn's old room.
Quinn hugged me from behind.
"What is wrong with you and Dad? I have never seen you two look so upset."
I turned to look at him.
"Mom you need to feed." I nodded.
"Momma you have to feed?" The Boys asked excitedly.
"Yes."
"Can we come?" I looked at Paddy. He nodded.
The six of us left for the woods. I brought down an elk. We all had some.
I sat under the moonlight. Quinn and Paddy joined me. The Boys were enjoying the fresh meat.
"All right. Now why are you two upset?" Quinn signed. He realized we did not want to talk in front of the Boys.
We told him what Elder Camarillo told us. He stared at his brothers.
"They are going ... How are we going ... I do not understand why?"
"Neither do we Son." Paddy said gently.
"Now I understand why you are upset." He whispered.
He quickly hugged us both. "I will let Cassie know so it will not be a shock to her."
"Thank you."
The Boys came over to us.
"That was good. We would like to go for a swim when we are back home."
"All right." Paddy said. This was the first time they have asked to go swimming since Paul's death. We were bringing them up to the cabin to bathe.
We walked back to the cave.
The Sentries stepped out of the trees to let Paddy know all was good. It saved them from having to send someone to tell him.
It was a nice night. We walked the perimeter. After a couple of hours of walking we headed for home.
As soon as we started walking down the family corridor. John challenged his brothers on who could reach the pool first. They raced down. John was first through the door.
Paddy shook his head. "I think they are starting to feel better."
"I think so too Dad. I will join them in the pool."
"All right." He ran after his brothers.
We could hear them laughing down in the bathing pool. Paddy sneaked down to see what they were doing. He came back up laughing and wet.
"Quinn is shifting into different water animals. He sprayed me when he saw me on the stairs."
"By the sound of it they might be hungry when they came back up."
"I will help you make something." Paddy smiled.
"All right. I was thinking of porridge."
"They would love that."
We went into the kitchen and made them a snack.
