“I know. That’s because you’re old.”
“Hey, I’m only...” I do some math. Like 50 years old.”
“And you look like you’re thirty.”
“Mary Lou hates that.” I grin. “Anyway, I’m not sure how news about the tooth fairy made mainstream media.”
“Because it’s happening everywhere, Mom. People are legit freaked out. It’s almost like the tooth fairy (who’s real, by the way) has gone missing, or got hijacked. But the stories are less about her and more about the nightmares.”
“And someone called Moon Investigations for help?”
“Not quite. I sort of took it upon myself to look into this. I’ve been developing a case file... The Tooth Fairy Files, I call it. And I want to talk to one of the families mentioned in the latest news article.”
“You’re taking the initiative,” I say.
“Exactly. Do you mind if I work on it?”
“I don’t mind, but just please call me if you need any help.”
She nods. “Of course. But—”
“But you can handle yourself. I know.”
“Well, I want to work this on my own. You have seen me turn into a panther and a bear, right?”
“I have.” Truth was, I couldn’t be more relieved that my daughter had been given such powerful magic all those years ago. Knowing she and Ant are always safe is a huge relief for me. Now, I only have to worry about Pax.
“Why do you want to get involved, Tammy?”
She leans forward, eyes brightening with excitement and just a hint of nerves. “I think someone’s hijacked the Tooth Fairy network—which is totally a real thing—and I think I’m just the one to fix it.”
A smile tugs at my lips. My daughter, the fairy-witch detective. “Do you know how crazy that sounds?”
“No crazier than looking for evidence of a dinosaur shifter.”
“Touché. And that’sallegeddinosaur shifter. I haven’t seen one yet.”
“Well, the tooth fairy is a fae creature... like me! In fact, she might even by my aunt.”
“Come again.”
“She’s Queen Maple’s sister.”
“Your aunt is the Tooth Fairy.”
“We’re talking about my second family, ma. And step-aunt might be a better term. Just like Queen Maple isn’t my blood mom. But I sure think of her as my mom.”
I shake my head. “Can’t hear that enough.”
“Well, she did raise me in the fairy world, mom. She taught me, fed me, and protected me. Sounds like a mom to me.”
“And it all happened in one night.”
“For you. Not for me.”
“I think I still have PTSD about it,” I said. “Like, when I wake up in the morning, will you be my same daughter, or did like the Ogre Queen scurry you away for a third childhood?”
“Ogres don’t have that kind of magic. Only Queen Maple.”
