Enter Barrett. Handsome, annoying, and adept with Chimera magic, as he was one. We had yet to have our first official training session since both of us were still trying to clean up the mess with the swans and figure out where they were holding a male Chimera.
To Barrett’s credit, he was far busier with that than I was, but I did pass on information after picking Caelan’s brain about where they might have stashed the missing Chimera, and I ensured I was aware of my surroundings at all times. Nadia might be out of the picture, but the swans wouldn’t stop until they saved their people.
Unfortunately, they saw me and my intact womb as their savior.
“Evie?” Ash’s brow furrowed. “We lost you for a minute.”
I shook the dark thoughts away. “Sorry. I was thinking about Barrett.”
Moira grunted. “How’s that going?”
“Very little progress on that front,” I said with a laugh. “But let’s get back to you. Barrett can’t help, but this town is full of people who can. I can ask my father, too.”
Ash tilted his head. “You don’t seem enthused about that, either.”
“He’s being…difficult right now.”
“Typical dad stuff?” Moira asked.
If typical dad stuff was bringing an old lover around to tempt your current one and trying to force you into a crown you didn’t want, sure. “I wish. I’m heading over to the diner later this evening to take care of the plants. I’ll ask for recommendations.”
Moira stared down at her hands. “I wish I could get rid of whatever this is.”
Ash slung an arm over her shoulders. “Maybe you’ll learn how to start pulling really cool things from other dimensions. Like alien rabbits.”
“Or something just like chocolate! You could start a craze and become a billionaire.”
Her lips tugged into a smile. “Sure. I’ll share my wealth with you.”
“Sold,” Ash said. He pressed a kiss to Moira’s temple. “Try not to worry. If Evie can get the Chimera under control, you can stop pulling men from thin air.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” Moira said dryly. With a long sigh, she stood and straightened her sweater. “I’m going home. It’s been a long day.”
I stood and reached for a hug. “I’ll text you later.”
Before she pulled away, I gave her a little squeeze. “Don’t worry. Lou just wants a little time to explore. Who knows? Maybe he’ll discover Sirena’s gelato, and she’ll distract him for the next four days.”
Ash grinned and pulled out his phone. “Great idea. I’m texting her now.”
The first real smile in hours reached Moira’s eyes. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
When she was out the door, and it was only Ash and I left, he slumped against the couch. “Lou’s going to be a problem, isn’t he?”
I nodded. “I suspect so. Caelan won’t want an unknown fae running around Joy Springs unsupervised. I’ll talk to him this evening.”
“I’ll reach out to my people as well. Dryads see everything.”
“Let me know if you hear anything. I’ll do the same.”
With that agreement, we worked quickly to close up the shop. As I was driving to Caelan’s a little while later, I couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of doom creeping over me.
Disturbed, I shook it off before adjusting the mirror to fluff my hair before heading inside the Keep.
Chapter
Eight
CAELAN
