“She said she was going with you,” he snapped.
“Oh, really? News to me. I went alone specifically to get away from her dramatics for a bit. Yesterday’s shopping trip was enough.”
“When did you last see her?”
“Before bed,” I admitted as I brushed past him, heading toward the downstairs bathroom with my purchases. “Why?”
Foster followed, his heavy footsteps oddly silent for such a large man. One of the perks of being a wolf shifter, I supposed.
“Two hours ago, I did a perimeter sweep, then came in to grab some coffee. She was in the kitchen, said she was going with you.” He leaned against the doorframe, watching me restock the medicine cabinet with birth control. “Haven’t seen her since.”
A knot formed in my stomach, but I forced my hands to be steady as I closed the mirrored door.
“She’s off on a tantrum, then.”
“Yeah, but where?” Foster’s fingers drummed against his bicep. “Yesterday, she said she was tired of waiting to take out worthless—”
“Serafina.” I paused, staring at my wide-eyed reflection.
“And something about an old water witch owing her a favor. Ondine something.”
“Filcher.” I finished, tossed the paper pharmacy bag in the trash can with more force than necessary. “Ondine Filcher.”
Old Ondine was a mediocre witch at best, but she specialized in water magic. And Eluned’s attentionhadbeen centered on the lake at Evermere for the past few days…
The pieces clicked together in my mind with sickening clarity.
“That impulsive idiot,” I muttered, curling my fingers. “She wouldn’t have.”
But even as I said it, I knew shewould. El never could stand being patient. While I calculated and planned, she burned with the need for immediate action.
“Wouldn’t havewhat?” He dropped all pretense of casualness.
“Asked Ondine to help her get into Evermere,” I said through gritted teeth.
“What?” he half-laughed, then shook his head, his mane swishing around his head. “You think she had the balls to actually try that?Alone?”
“Seems the most likely explanation.”
“Shit!”
“Yes, more of her shit.” I closed my eyes briefly, centering myself against the rising tide of panic. “Mother will be home tomorrow night. She’s going to kill me,” I whispered, the rare admission of fear slipping out before I could catch it.
He knew as well as I did what that meant. Arabesque Harrow did not tolerate failure.
“What are we going to tell her?”
“We?” I laughed, the sound brittle and sharp. “There is nowein this, Foster. You’re Mother’s hired muscle. I’m her daughter. The consequences will fall onme, even if this is not my fault!”
He didn’t argue. No point in arguing with the truth.
“How do we find out?” he asked. “Can you call that water hag and at least ask if Eluned is there? How far away does she live?”
“Hour. Hour and fifteen minutes.”
“So we might still have time to stop her.” Foster was far more hopeful than I was. “Call her, Amabel!”
“Fine.” I pulled out my phone. “But the Devil save her if she helped my sister go on a suicide mission!”
