As she watched Sondre stride through the castle hall, she realized that a part of her new life here that she was not expecting was the nonstop worry over him, over Craig, over the bad-air problem, over her forgetfulness, over the general sense that everything could fall apart at any moment, and she’d be helpless to resist.
“Are you okay?” he asked as he reached her side.
“Ish. That can wait, though.” Maggie stared up at his face. “What happened? You look… shaken.”
Sondre paused before saying, “I’m starting to think I’m transparent. What makes you think something happened?”
“You were scowling to yourself, and you didn’t notice me immediately.” Her cheeks felt hot at the latter part of her answer, but it was true. Sondre noticed her the way a hungry person noticed a surprise dessert.
“Aggie and Allan tore down the barrier protecting Crenshaw from discovery. Scylla and M—Dr. Jemison—” He corrected himself awkwardly. “—are unconscious. Prospero and I need to go after the witches responsible once they start spilling magic, although she already dragged one back, and I’m supposed to become the head of House Grendel to replace Aggie.”
Maggie’s mouth dropped open as she listened, but when Sondre’s litany of stresses paused, she stepped closer and wrapped her arms around him. “Well, fuck.”
He chuckled. “Exactly.”
“What do you need?” she asked from the comfort of his tight embrace.
“To make sure you and Craig are safe. I can handle the rest, but I want to be sure you’re both safe.” He sighed, his exhalation stirring her hair. “I talked to the chief witch about Craig’s situation.”
Maggie leaned back so she could meet Sondre’s gaze. “He doesn’t belong here. I know it.”
“Maybe one day…”
“If he has a near-fatal accident? What sort of mother wishes forthat?” Maggie hated feeling like the two best things in her life were at odds. “He either goes back to where he’s not safe or he stays where he’s not safe. What choice am I to make?”
“Prospero can erase memories.” Sondre gave her a pointed look. “What if people there thought he wasnotyours or your ex-husband’s child?”
“Like witness protection?”
“Yes. Some witches have needed that.”
Maggie looked at Sondre. “Would I go with him?”
“I don’t think the Congress will agree to that. They didn’t the firsttime you asked.” Sondre stared at her as he admitted that last bit. He’d broken rules to tell her some of what she’d forgotten—but not everything.
“Sondre…” She wanted to tell him about the hob, about the admonishment to break the rules, but something inside held her back.
What if he’s not trustworthy?her lawyer voice whispered.
“Where would Craig go?” she asked aloud.
Sondre released his hold on her. “He could live with someone trusted… but visit you here. The Brandeau woman—”
“Ellie?”Maggie hated thinking that the one person she was not to speak to would raise her son in his teen years.I should seek her out. Break that rule.
“No. Her aunt. Hestia.”
“Would I be a bad mother?” Maggie half whispered. She didn’t want to be apart from her son, but she couldn’t livewithhim without making him miserable. “Would it be better to try to be siphoned and go—”
“They will not siphon you. I asked.” Sondre stared at her, face twisting in some unnamed emotion.
“You asked?” Maggie echoed. “Do you want me to g—”
“No!” Sondre swallowed. “I want you to be happy. They admitted they were keeping you here to have leverage… on me and on Brandeau.”
“On you?”
Sondre squirmed. “They apparently knew that I… that we…”
