“Slow down, Sally,” her mom said as she motioned for her to take a seat on thesofa.
She did, but it was more of a plop than a sit, as though something heavy had landed on hershoulders.
“You know that I was adopted,” Lillybegan.
Sallynodded.
“I’ve never known my birth parents or even my true last name. I was always different, but I didn’t understand that until I realized no one else could do what I could do. It wasn’t until Jacque’s father came into my life that I realized that a supernatural world existed and that I might be a part of it somehow. With me sofar?”
She noddedagain.
“Since I met Cypher and moved into the warlock kingdom, I’ve had access to records, supernatural records. It was in those records that I found the answers to the questions I’ve had for so long. Who am I really? What am I? Is there anyone else like me? Peri thought I was simply a seer, and yes, I am, but I am more than that. You see, in those records I found two names that are important to me, Lillianna Nyx and Cindira Nyx, both of the forest sprite clans. It seems these two sprites went missing longago.”
Sally looked at her mom. “Nicks is your maidenname.”
“It is, but spelled in a human manner. It has allowed me a sentimental tie to my former life,” her momexplained.
“I knew that was your mother’s maiden name,” Lilly continued. “So, I did what any sane person would and called your mom to ask her if she was asprite.”
Sally couldn’t help but smile. “That doesn’t sound like what anysaneperson woulddo.”
“I did feel a bit awkward,” Lilly agreed. “I will let your mother take over the story fromhere.”
“I confirmed Lilly’s suspicion, about myself and her,” Cindysaid.
“Does that mean I’m related to Jacque somehow?” Sally asked. “Since you both were Nick’s orwhatever?”
Lilly smiled but shook her head. “From my understanding of what I read, different clans have different sur names, though they are not all related. So while both our sur names were Nyx, it is only because we are from the sameclan.
Sally’s mom continued. “I’d known since I met her who and what she was. But I assumed, like me, she was simply trying to have a normal life away from the dangers of the supernaturalworld.”
“How’d that work out for you?” Sally asked as she folded her arms across her chest and leaned back in thesofa.
“About as well as it’s worked out for your mother,” Lillysaid.
“Sally, I am a forest sprite. Those are words I truly never wanted to say to you, because as I’m sure you well know, the supernatural world is incrediblydangerous.”
Sally’s eyes snapped to Lilly. The words ‘as you well know’ made her heartbeat faster. “Did you tellher?”
Lilly shook her head. “I did not. I did not think it was my place to share with her yourstory.”
Sally let out a sigh. “Thankyou.”
“It seems, no matter my desire and attempt to hide you, the supernatural world has found you anyway. Of course, I didn’t know that until about four months ago when the magic your fae friend cast on us was broken. I was able to think then about what had happened. I mean, you’d run off to Romania with people we barely knew, and we’d been okay with it. Obviously, we wouldn’t have ever let that happen in our right minds. It was clear to me then we had been bewitched.” Cindy shook her head as though she was scolding herself. “Since the spell broke, I’ve debated contacting you so many times, but your father and I decided to remain silent. I didn’t want to risk drawing the attention of the Order, which might focus their attention onyou.”
“Too late for that,” Sallymumbled.
Her mom’s eyes grew wide. “The Order knows about you? They know you’re a gypsyhealer?”
“You could saythat.”
Lilly huffed. “Sally, duct tape your inner Jen and join us at the grown-upconversation.”
“Ouch, Ms. P,” Sally said but then nodded at her. “You finish first and then I’ll tell you all about my happy experience with theOrder.”
Her mom stared at her, shock and fear in her eyes, but then finally began speaking again. “There are different kinds of sprites. Lilly is a seer sprite. There are elemental sprites, mentalist sprites, luminous sprites, and healer sprites. I am a healer sprite, though I have not used my ability in decades. As I’m sure you have learned, magic leaves behind a calling card, and I didn’t want to share mine with anyone. We are in the sprite realm now, and this is the home I occupied before I moved into the human realm permanently. As long as we are here the Order can’t detect us, which is why I brought you here to tell you all ofthis.”
“How old areyou?”
