Turning from the window, her smile was small and sad. “You should have seen the first place Newton tried to get us to stay. No window at all, and the shower looked like some place a serial killer hangs his victims to let them bleed out.”
I grinned, trying to ease the strain between us. “Sounds kinda up your alley.”
She smiled back, which appeared somewhat genuine. “I guess you’re right, actually. However, I like my bathing experience to be somewhat creep-free. As lame as this place is, it’s a far cry from where he tried to get us to stay.”
Newton shrugged from where he reclined on the bed, his wings now vanished. “It was cheaper, nearly a third of the price of this place.”
Caitlin made a sweeping motion, encompassing the depressing space. “And that should tell you something.”
“She made us wander up and down the streets in the middle of the night looking for a new hotel. It was like we were on a parade.”
She glared at him, but it seemed more in affection than actual irritation. Wonders never ceased. “If you’d shown your wings like I told you, it really would have been a parade.”
“How are you guys paying for this, anyway?” I was surprised the thought hadn’t occurred to me before.
This time, Caitlin’s smile was most definitely real. She thumbed her finger toward Newton “We’re not! Can you believe it? Mr. Goodie-goodie here is actually charming them into thinking we’re paying.”
Before I could respond, Newton sat up straight, a look of indignant consternation coming over his face, a tone of pride creeping into his usual bored cadence. “I pay for the room in other ways. We both do. Ways that save them more money than they could have rented this room for to begin with.”
Caitlin rolled her eyes. “He’s constantly making me fix something. A crack in the wall here, a loose doorknob there. If Cinderella had magical powers and was only able to use them for household chores, she’d be me.”
“Sounds like the Pewlet I know.” Schwint reached forward and slapped the other fairy affectionately on the thigh. “Sorry. Newton.”
Caitlin left the window and returned to sit beside Newton. “Gotta hand it to him, he’s not a complete Boy Scout. He saw some dude being a total bitch to his wife. Newton did some charm and had him trip right into this muscle-for-brains and spill his drink all over him. The guy got a black eye and a chipped tooth for it. Wish I’d thought of it myself.”
I couldn’t help but smile at the fairy. He was a strange creature, but I had to admire his definitive stance on what he believed was right and wrong. I knew he was trying to take on the fairy royalty in his fight for “social justice” for the less fortunate-looking, and I appreciated him taking the time to help fight for my sister. Well, maybe not fight, but at least be willing to play standby for when the time might arise.
I wasn’t sure if it was seeing Caitlin in such a state or simply my desire to end the debate. “Fine. Maybe you’re right. Maybe you’ll learn something from the vampire.”
“You know we don’t need your approval to follow him. You’re not the commander and chief in all this. We’re all trying to free Cynthia.”
“Yeah, Cate, I know. Sheesh! I’m just processing, trying to wrap my head around it. Forgive me if I’m nervous about losing my middle sister to the same vampire who pretty much single-handedly ruined our family. Or at least started the whole damn thing.” I hesitated. I’d decided I wasn’t going to bring it up, but now it seemed like it might help Caitlin calm down enough to avoid making a rash decision. “Besides, I think it might be good to buy us a little more time. I think Cynthia’s power is growing. If we wait a little longer, maybe it will increase to the point that it will make getting her free more likely.”
Caitlin looked at me skeptically. “Her power is growing? That’s rather unlikely, don’t you think, since she’s way past puberty?”
“My power is growing.” Well, that was the wrong thing to say. It had always been a sore spot that Cynthia and I were stronger than Caitlin and Christina.
“Well, I’d hope. You’ve had a fairy and a powerful wizard training you.”
I didn’t remind her that Omar hadn’t exactly been training me.
Cate’s voice grew even more cynical. “What exactly makes you think Cynthia is getting more powerful? You haven’t even been able to speak with her.”
With a sweep of my hand, I gestured across the top of the small table between the two beds. An image superimposed itself over the smooth wooden surface, only partly obscured by the base of the lamp.
Caitlin peered down at the scene, her gaze flicking back and forth as she followed the pacing of the figure. Her voice was a whisper. “Is that Cynthia?”
I didn’t answer. I was as surprised as she was. I hadn’t meant to conjure Cynthia’s image. I’d just been so frustrated.
Looking up from the table, Caitlin merely stared at me.
With another flick of my hand, Cynthia disappeared, the table returning to normal. “Her powers are different than before. I can’t explain it.” I searched for the right words. “They flicker differently. In an unusual way. She must be getting stronger—she’s even been able to manipulate fire. Not like you.”
“Apparently she’s not the only one getting stronger.” Caitlin gave a look that I’d seen too many times before. One that I knew wouldn’t lead to anything good. Or at least to anything safe. Especially combined with her wounded pride. “If the flickering fire doesn’t deliver the salvation I’m certain it’s capable of, or home movies on the table, I’ve been thinking of a plan of my own. An actual plan. Granted, one that requires more effort than standing around staring at some sparks sputtering from torches. If we could trap the vampire somehow, we could torture him for information or something.”
I glared at her, still smarting from her dismissal. I knew I wasn’t explaining it very well, but Cynthiawasgetting stronger. I was certain. And, trapping a vampire? While often hotheaded, she was never stupid. Following the redhead was nothing but stupid.
Apparently satisfied with getting her way, Caitlin turned her attention back to her favorite pastime. Antagonizing her younger brother. “How’s the whole mer thing going? Got the water thing figured out yet?”
