I forced a stiff smile. “Jenna, this is Calliope.” I paused. “My aunt.”
Fae reproduction was strange. In my father and his siblings’ case, they sprung from Noctessa’s first king who’d basically dreamed them into being. I wasn’t sure if that meant they were related on a genetic level since magic was such a mixed bag, but it was close enough.
Callie beamed as Jenna accepted her hand. “I’ve been looking forward to meeting Aileen’s other family.”
Caroline nudged my side in a reminder to stay calm.
Yes, that was a good idea. Mustn’t let too much show or who knew what would happen.
“Don’t be too angry with Aileen,” Callie said. “Our family only tracked her down a short while ago. She was quite an unexpected discovery. I’m afraid we still haven’t been able to reunite her with her father as he’s been missing since shortly after her birth.”
Jenna’s gaze snapped to me. “Is that true?”
Reluctantly, I looked away from Callie to nod.
Technically, my fatherhadbeen MIA for years. As far as Callie and her siblings were concerned anyway.
No longer, though.
Callie and her siblings weren’t aware I’d met him in the time since. My bio dad had enemies who wouldn’t hesitate to use his much weaker daughter as a means to draw him out of hiding.
I couldn’t trust the children of the first Noctessa king either. That much was clear. One of my dad’s siblings had already tried to use me. Until I had a better grasp of the situation, I was keeping his reappearance to myself.
“Lena, I’m so sorry,” Jenna whispered. “You should have told me.”
Her sympathy made me hate myself a tiny bit as I shook my head and lied. “I planned to. I just wanted to process things first.”
Jenna looked a little emotional as she swiped at her face, trying to hide her teary eyes. “I’m sure you two have a lot to talk about. I’ll get us some drinks.” Forgetting the fact that she’d already used that excuse once, she started away before pausing to jerk her head at Caroline and Connor. “Why don’t you join me?”
A human ordering around a werewolf and vampire was a little comical. Especially given Connor’s reluctant expression as Jenna tugged at his arm, forcing his compliance.
“I like your sister; I didn’t think I would,” Callie remarked, waving goodbye.
My smile vanished. “Cut the crap. What are you doing here?”
Callie studied the harpy strutting along the bar. “You keep interesting company.”
Natalia’s glamour had faded, allowing the shadow of her wings to flare behind her. Humans would assume it was a trick of the light, but the supernaturals in the room knew the truth.
“According to human mythology, harpies and medusas come from the same pantheon. In reality, our origins are night and day.”
“Is that why you’re here? To discuss ancestry?”
Callie’s expression was rueful. “I’m afraid not.”
“I’m listening.”
I braced myself.
“Have you seen your father?” Callie asked with an expectant gaze.
The question felt like it came out of nowhere.
“As you told Jenna, he’s missing.”
“Lying to a Fae is unwise,” Callie warned. “We don’t like it.”
Which was why I’d been very careful in my choice of words. Nothing I’d said could be considered a true lie. More like a misdirection, if anything.
