“Why did you trust them?” Kyla asked. “You didn’t even know these people.”
“I didn’t at first. And then a few days later, I arrived home early and overheard Alwyn and Hefeydd talking. Alwyn told Hefeydd I was a security risk. He said any seelie who wanted to take Nereus down could do it through me.” More tears slipped down her delicate face. “And Hefeydd didn’t deny it. He just said he’d watch me more closely and told Alwyn to speak to Nereus about it.”
Vas handed me a glass of water, taking the dirty towel from me. “Did he?” he asked.
Ilayda nodded. “I was so angry, I spelled one of the plants in Nereus’s office.” She blushed. “I shouldn’t have in my condition, but I…I needed to know. Alwyn talked to Nereus. He told him I was acting strangely. Spying on them. Taking notes of what they were doing.” She shook her head. “And Nereus… It sounded like he believed Alwyn. He said if that was the case, he would have a little talk with me. And he said it in his scary voice. I’d never heard him talk about me that way before.”
Ooh, Nereus had some shit to answer for. He definitely hadn’t mentioned that little convo to us.
Evie held up a picture. “Do you recognize this woman?”
Ilayda nodded. “Yes. That’s Becca. We do Pilates together sometimes.”
I glanced at Kyla. Ilayda watched us. “What is it?”
Evie angled her head. “Did she ever give you any gifts?”
Ilayda thought about it. “A key chain.” She smiled. “It’s cute—” She cut herself off as she watched us. “You’re saying Becca was involved too?”
“Her name is Lydia, and she’s a black witch,” Evie said. “I only put it together this morning, but I believe she spelled the key chain to make you more open to suggestion. And she was likely using her power on you each time she saw you, making you feel doubt, distrust, and terror. She was responsible for the pleatix, which made your guards hallucinate. And she was likely feeding on all your fear and confusion whenever you spent time together.”
It made perfect sense. Pro bono. That’s what Lydia had been talking about. She hadn’t cared about payment since spending time with Ilayda was such an incredible boost for her power.
“I still don’t understand why they took you,” Kyla said.
“I didn’t know why either, until Carmag told me. He’s related to Cellen.” Evie sucked in a breath. I must have looked blank because Ilayda clarified. “The portal maker who kidnapped Danica Amana for Lucifer.”
I winced and Ilayda nodded. “Exactly. After Cellen’s death, Carmag decided he’d like to step into his shoes as one of the king’s closest advisers. He can’t create portals, of course, but…” Her eyes filled with fresh tears, and she took a shaky breath, her hand smoothing over her belly. “Some seer had a vision about my baby. As the first baby born in centuries with both light and dark fae blood, she’ll bea creature of great power.” She spat the last part of her sentence and raised her hands to cover her face.
After a long moment, she removed her hands. “He figured if he could take my baby and control her, he’d be able to use that power to get close to the king.” Her lower lip trembled. “Can you get Nereus? Please? I just want to see him.”
I glanced at Vas. He didn’t look happy about leaving me, but he gazed at Evie and Kyla, obviously reassuring himself that they’d keep me safe. I gave him the dirty look that deserved, and he grinned. “I’ll be right back,” he promised.
18
VASSAGO
Ilanded in Nereus’s driveway. One of the guards stepped closer to me, and I held up my hand, too tired to fight. “I’m working with Evie, Kyla, and Meredith.”
Nereus was outside with me a moment later, hope clear in his eyes.
“You found her.”
“Yes.”
“What happened? Where is she?”
“I’ll take you to her.”
He sneered. “I don’t think so.”
I glanced behind him at where several unseelie had followed him out of the house. “You’re going to want this to be a private conversation.”
He studied me. “Fine.”
I flew Nereus toward the bar. He was stiff, obviously uncomfortable with the fact that I could drop him at any moment. I was small enough to enjoy his discomfort.
“You fucked up,” I told the dark fae.
