My gaze fell on the picture next to my bed. In it, Ag stared at the camera, expression sour as he waited for me to stop taking photos of him. I swiped the frame off my bedside table and shoved it into my bag.
Daimonion needed to die. I’d made my vow to my uncle, and I was going to keep it.
8
MEREDITH
The next day, I got up early. Way too early, in my opinion. Where, exactly, did Ilayda get all her energy from?
I pulled on an ancient pair of leggings and a tank top, so I’d fit in. I’d suck it up and do the Pilates class and see who’d talk to me.
The studio was on Main Street, so I headed west, scowling at how close it was. How was I supposed to tell myself I was too busy to work out when there was a studio this close to my bar?
I opened the door, noting how quiet it was. Women were checking in with the blond woman at the counter. She beamed at them, holding up a scanner for them to wave their membership cards at.
All of them were speaking in hushed voices.
“Uh, hi,” I said when it was my turn. “I’m here for the seven a.m. class.”
The first—and hopefully last—time I’d ever say such a thing.
The blonde’s eyes widened. “I’m sorry, this class is fully booked,” she told me. “Are you on the wait list?”
I gaped at her. “A wait list? For exercise?”
Blondie’s smile lost some of its sparkle. “This is a very popular studio.”
Of course it was. Wealthy fae women weren’t the type to sign up for a cheap class at the local YMCA.
Screw attempting to fit in. “Okay, I’m actually here to talk to you, and potentially some of your members.”
Her eyes narrowed at that, and she lost her smile entirely. Another woman walked in behind me, and Blondie beamed once more, holding up the scanner and giving the woman a nod.
“I’m sorry. I can’t talk about any of our members.”
“Do you know Ilayda?”
Her mouth slammed shut, and she shook her head at me. “As mentioned—”
“She’s missing.”
Blondie’s eyes widened and then misted with unshed tears. “Wh-what do you mean?”
“I mean she was kidnapped. She and the baby are in serious danger. If you can tell me anything about her friends here, anyone she talked to, or anyone you noticed following her or hanging around her in a creepy way, it could really help.”
She was silent for a long moment, clearly debating the benefits of following company policy versus a missing pregnant woman. It was taking her a little too long to weigh them up, and I glowered at her.
“Is there a problem?”
I turned my head as a seriously toned woman stepped in the door.
“Margo.” Blondie’s voice was full of relief. “This is…”
“Meredith,” I filled in.
“She’s here because Ilayda is missing.”
Margo’s eyes narrowed, and I turned the rest of the way so I could look at her properly.
