“The magic is new and spread all over the country,” Dad said, “concentrated at the edges of two of the Lord’s territories. In a few days the Lords in the affected areas will know something is wrong.”
“Caelan?” I asked.
“No. Your healer Lord.”
“Ben?” I closed my eyes. “Shit. He might realize it sooner. Ben is sensitive to magic. We should call him when we’re finished with this meeting.”
“They targeted who they perceive to be the less dangerous Lords,” Mom mused.
Rowan bristled, making Mom laugh. “Those of us here know you are a deadly thing, but the face you show to the public is that of a friendly, peaceable Lord. Ben is untried and known as a Healer. Fae healers are not warriors.” Her eyes glittered. “Our kind continually underestimates how powerful the Lords are. Perhaps it is a good thing you and Ben were targeted first. This gives us more time to plan and discover who’s responsible.”
“Any ideas?” Moira said, reaching for a cracker.
Dad shook his head. “Lugh is trapped. Titania is dead. There are others who do not support your claim to the throne, but they’ve remained relatively quiet.”
“So it could be anyone.” Unsurprising. Nothing was easy these days.
Dad inclined his head. “Mom will give you a list.”
“How mundane,” Moira drawled. “A list of potential criminals.”
Rowan had stayed uncharacteristically silent. “What’s the purpose of the spell?”
Dad’s jaw tightened. “That is why I’m here. The spell will weaken your claim on the land, eventually shattering the bond.”
Rowan paled. I reached under the table and took his hand. “And mine?”
Dad shook his head. “Your blood will always be the wildcard. The magic is anathema to Danu. Getting too close weakens her.”
“She’s a goddess,” Simone said thoughtfully. “If this is a spell created by witches, how could it overpower someone like her?”
“Whoever is targeting her knows her weaknesses and designed the spell to keep her from destroying it before the work is done.” Mom poured herself a glass of lemonade.
“Targeting Danu targets me because of my Floromancy, but the spells were placed right on the edges of the Lords’ borders, increasing the odds they wouldn’t notice until it was too late to do anything. Whoever this is targets the Lords, too.”
Dad nodded. “Likely. The fae are making a play for the land and cannot take it when bonded to another, this includes Danu. Assume, Evie, they’re trying to wrest yours away too.”
“I’ve felt nothing,” I admitted, “but I haven’t been the best at bonding with Donovan’s old lands.”
Dad rose, holding his hand out for Mom to take. “Then I suggest you start soon.” His ancient gaze rested on Rowan. “I would speak with you once more before we leave.”
Simone and Moira both frowned at my father. “You know what happened the first time you started keeping secrets from Evie,” the vampire said.
Dad laughed. “Relax, little vampire who is more than she seems, all my secrets will soon be revealed. Think of this as more fatherly advice than secrets. I will return at sunrise to escort you to those foul places that need your sharp eyes.”
Moira nodded, watching him warily.
Rowan’s jaw tightened, but he rose and followed my father. Mom glided over and brushed a kiss against my cheek. “I’ve seen Caelan,” she murmured. “He travels this way.” When she rose, her eyes were laughing. “But your vampire refused to give him any more potions, so his travel is mundane.”
Moira’s innocent expression didn’t fool me.
“He will be here soon.” Mom cupped my chin. “I want the best for you, Evie, but I will not stand in your way on a choice like this.”
My throat tightened.
“A bit of advice if you don’t mind?”
I nodded and waited. Mom rarely offered guidance, our past still very much a tender thing we tiptoed around.
