She took a sip of her tea and sighed. “Excellent and fresh. Thank you.”
I always kept a fresh tin of her favorite tea. Even when I hated her. “You’re welcome.”
“This woman. Is she a friend?”
“No. I don’t like her all that much.”
Mom’s lips twitched. “Okay. An acquaintance, then?”
“Yes. She says she’s trapped here and not allowed to leave without an escort.”
Mom frowned. “Who is holding her here?”
“I don’t know, but Caelan is the one overseeing her protection.”
“You’re curious as to why?”
“Yes,” I admitted, “but there’s something familiar about her. It’s bugging me to death. I know I’ve never met her before now.”
Mom frowned. “Is it possible Caelan is keeping her for…other reasons?”
I snorted, not even offended. The fae were a bunch of dirty birds, and many of them banged anything that moved. “No. He seems to tolerate her. That’s all.”
“You think he’s keeping her for someone else?”
I nodded. “Thalia claims she has an overprotective father, but I’ve never seen him. Her power prevents her from driving orholding down a normal job, but she also can’t do normal things like shopping or going to get a coffee by herself. She claims not to remember her birthday but doesn’t know if it’s because her powers are stealing her memory or if something else is going on.”
“A spell.”
At my nod, a thoughtful look appeared on her face. “You have a theory. Tell me.”
“I think Cernunnos stashed her here.”
Mom blinked. “A young girl?”
“Not a girl, although she acts like one sometimes. She’s in her mid-twenties, I think. But why would he stash her here and keep it a secret from me? We’re in a small town. He knew I’d find out eventually.”
“You’re right. Has Caelan said anything about her?”
“No. He’s been silent since he’s had her and claims he’s doing someone a favor.”
“The Shifter Lord does not take on favors of that magnitude without a great boon in return, or it’s not a favor at all, and he owes someone something. Has your father done something for Caelan?”
I thought back and came up with nothing. “Not that I know of.”
“Something else is bothering you.”
I swallowed hard. “I think he’s lying about something concerning her, but I can’t put my finger on what.”
Mom set her cup down. “And you have built your life with him on trust because so many people have betrayed you.” Her eyes softened. “I am sorry for my role in that.” She dropped her eyes. “More than you could ever know.”
Tears pricked the backs of my eyes. The seeds of a reconciliation and new relationship were there, but they would take years and years to grow. “Thank you.”
Mom let out a soft breath. “You believe Cernunnos and your Caelan are…conspiring on something concerning this Thalia woman. But you don’t believe there is a sexual relationship between any of them.”
I nodded. “Right. No funny business in that regard, I don’t think.”
“Could it be as simple as power? You said she was a powerful seer. Maybe either one of them is using her for her sight?”
