Rhiannon came quietly over to sit by my side. “You are experiencing what happened to me when I was thirteen. When I…when I called the flame and burned up the little girl in the car, it took away a part of me forever. I know what it’s like to be ridden by a power. Perhaps this transformation, it’s something that links us all?”
“Perhaps.” I wondered if Luna had her story to tell as well. Peyton was consumed by her werepuma side at times. And Chatter…well…Chatter seemed the solid one. The one untouched by the madness. He alone stood as a bright shining beacon to me, a symbol of friendship and loyalty, but looks could be deceving.
“So, what are you going to do about the Consortium?” Rhiannon forced a smile and took my hands. “Marta wouldn’t let me be part of the community after my…accident. But Ysandra invited me in with you. So I consider that one a victory.”
I squeezed her hands, bringing them to my lips to kiss them lightly. “Yes, it is most definitely a victory. I’m going to tell Ysandra the truth. I have her card with her phone number. I’ll call her tomorrow and talk to her.”
Wrath stood. “I can take word to them. They are not always grateful to see the Fae, but they have never turned on us. I can fly there in my owl form.”
“No-we need you here.” I was worried. I’d just found my father, I didn’t want to lose him.
“You forget, my dear. I am King of Summer. King of the Court of Rivers and Rushes. I have many tricks up my sleeve.” He took my hand and pulled me to my feet. I leaned against him and he hugged me. Warm, paternal, caring. He would never be the suburban father I’d imagined, but he was my father and he cared about me, and that’s all that mattered.
“I know. But don’t go. Please stay with us.”
“Very well. If you wish it.”
I turned to the others. “I want you all to know that whatever happens with the Consortium, happens. I’m not going to let our panic create a tangle of lies. There are a few things I’d rather not tell them, but I’m done with lying.”
“I think you’re making the right choice.” Luna gave me a sheepish smile. “They have so many ways to pick up on liars…”
Kaylin flashed her a quiet look, then shrugged. “As you will. But I still think we could pull it off.” Another sly grin, but I knew he was teasing.
“Truth is our best approach. Hopefully, we won’t look like total idiots.” I was regretting ever following Kaylin’s advice, but it had seemed the best way to hide the fact that Heather had been kidnapped. And at the time we didn’t dare tell them about Myst-we weren’t clear on who we could trust with the knowledge. Now that we knew we couldn’t deal with the Mistress of Mayhem by ourselves, we might as well admit it.
Kaylin finished spreading out the herbs and began sorting them into piles. Luna joined him.
“We need more supplies.” He held up a bag of dried leaves, squinting at it. “Is this mugwort or vervain?”
“Vervain, I think.” Luna joined him at the table, helping to separate the herbs.
“Thanks, Luna. You know, I think that tomorrow, we should sneak out of town, over to Monroe, and see what we can find. We’ll have to take my car. Your GTO is too recognizable, Cicely. I don’t want to be run off the road.”
“You don’t believe the Shadow Hunters would try that, do you? They don’t work with technology. I doubt if they can even get into a car, let alone drive one.” I picked up a couple of the bags containing woven garlic charms. “Maybe I should wear a strand of this while I sleep to keep Lannan out of my bed.”
“Not such a good idea.” Lannan interrupted, entering the room again.
I whirled around, blushing. I’d been joking, at least partially, but Lannan might not see it that way.
But he simply shook his head, and added, “While the Shadow Hunters may not try to run you off the road, Geoffrey might. If he even suspects you’re going to the Consortium for help, chances are he’ll try to stop you. He wants this war all to himself.”
“I had him pegged all wrong, didn’t I?” I’d thought Geoffrey the most reasonable of the vampires. But that theory had been shot to hell.
“What about me? Do you think you pegged me wrong?” Lannan cocked his head, flirting.
I glanced over at Grieve. “No, I think I’ve got your number down pat. Here, have a necklace.” I tossed the garlic charm his way but Kaylin caught it midair and pocketed it.
“What was that?” Lannan stepped forward.
“Nothing, just a stupid impulse,” Kaylin said. “Ignore her. She’s tired.”
“I see.” Lannan continued to stare at me.
I decided that retreat was my best ally. “I’m going to sleep. We’ll talk more in the morning. Grieve, join me, my love?” I’d been an idiot. Sassing Lannan was one thing. If he was in a good mood, he’d overlook it. But actively throwing a garlic charm at him? Stupid beyond the max. I could only chalk it up to exhaustion. I turned to Grieve. “Come with me?”
But he glanced at my father, who shook his head no, and reluctantly, Grieve leaned over to kiss me. “Not this evening. I suggest you and the other girls retire to your bedroom. We spruced it up today so it’s a little more comfortable. You’ll be safe there. Chatter and I will watch over you during the night.”
I wanted to protest that we didn’t need watching over, but that was stupid. We needed all the help we could get. We were all strong, but none of us was invincible, and even with Ulean at my side, I was as vulnerable as Myst’s next victim. Perhaps even more so.
I yawned, stretching as I avoided looking at Lannan. “Yeah, we’ll sleep. We need to rest. My body is weary and my mind-wearier.” I motioned to Luna, Peyton, and Rhiannon. “Come on, girls. Let’s get some downtime.”
“Here, take these.” Chatter handed us cherry-stone warmers-cherry stones my aunt had sewn into bags that were heated in either a microwave or-in this case-in the range oven. We’d tuck them under the covers near our feet and they’d keep us toasty into the cold, chill night.
“Thank you. What about the space heaters?”
“Not a good idea to have around so many flammable items,” Kaylin said. “But the blankets are piled high like they were last night and the stone warmers should help take the edge off.”
And with that, we entered the shrouded room.
I made sure the door was closed before we tucked the warmers under the covers and changed for the night. We were relieved to have nightclothes again. The past couple of nights, we’d slept in our jeans and sweatshirts. While upstairs at the Veil House, Kaylin had managed to scavenge enough clothing to provide each of us with several changes of jeans, shirts, along with underwear, nightgowns, and robes. He’d also scrounged up a few more personal items that we might need and for that, I blessed his heart. I was PMSing like crazy and cracked open the ibuprofen after I slid into the comfy flannel gown.
The room was set up with a bunch of old cushions serving as one big bed. The four of us women could easily fit on the makeshift mattress. A half bath to the left offered a working toilet and sink. I longed for a toothbrush, but for now the tube of toothpaste Kaylin had found, and our fingers, would have to do. If we did make a supply run, we were laying in a supply of toothbrushes.
After we changed and washed up as best as we could, lingering under the hot water as it splashed across our hands, we slid beneath the covers, our heads together in the center.