“I do.”
“I’m Rowan’s Second if he hasn’t already told you. I hear you stole Garrett and Simone right out from under Caelan’s nose.”
To my surprise, Evie laughed. “Not quite. Certain events brought them to me, but I’m happy to have them.”
“I’ve never heard of a shifter being blood sworn to a fae. How does that work?”
Evie rolled her eyes. “They take advantage of it,” she said with a laugh. “I’m not the kind of person who will yank on the bond. The only order I’ve given them is to defend my family because I had to give one to make the oath. Let’s just say they are both experts at interpreting things how they see fit.”
Declan grinned. “Sounds like Garrett, that old bastard. He’s got a girl with him, doesn’t he? Another fae?”
“My sister. She’s under his protection.” For now, she didn’t say. With the broken oath, Thalia’s status was still up in the air. She made herself scarce with Cernunnos coming around, but she’d made no moves to leave Garrett and return to Caelan.
Not that Garrett would let her if she tried. The man had it bad for her.
Declan tipped his head to me. “I’m running out for a bit. I take it coming back into the main house is okay now that we’ve met Miss Evie?”
Evie frowned. “You could have come by at any time.”
Declan laughed. “No Miss Evie. Not if I wanted to keep my head on my shoulders.”
He bumped me with his elbow and grinned as he passed. Asshole.
I gave Evie a sheepish smile.
“You haven’t met Simone yet?” Evie asked Hope after she’d rolled her eyes at me.
“Not yet. Simone is wise not to explore the Keep without Rowan. She’s not tied to a Pack, and other shifters get weirdabout unattached paranormals on Keep grounds. Same with Garrett.”
“I’ll talk to Rowan tonight about bringing her over.”
Hope and Evie chatted for a little while longer before my Omega excused herself, but not without giving me a long look as she walked away.
I swear. My people could be like mother hens sometimes.
“Ready to go?” I asked Evie. My chest felt warm with pride. Declan and Hope liked Evie. I found the Floromancer irresistible, but if my Pack didn’t agree, we’d find ourselves in the same position as Caelan and Evie were, something I couldn’t abide by.
She nodded and took my proffered elbow.
I tried not to think about her telling them she would return to Joy Springs. There was still time to change her mind. I had to believe that.
Chapter
Twenty-Four
We’d just finished dinner when the phone rang, signaling a video call. I picked up immediately and saw Moira’s wan face smiling at me.
“Thank the gods,” I whispered. “How are you feeling?”
“Like someone beat me with a tree trunk,” she admitted. “But your daddy has some good healers in his fancy little castle. They’re taking good care of me. I’ll be home tomorrow, no matter what he says.”
“If you’re still feeling poorly, just stay another day.”
“Absolutely not.” Her hair slid against her face like a waterfall. “My magic is drained and slow to refill this time, but I won’t let you return to Joy Springs without me.” She leaned the phone against something on the nightstand and shifted so she could lie down.
Moira yawned. “Listen, I have some information. You’re looking for a witch, but the spell was mixed with fae DNA or magic or something.” She shook her head. “Definitely fae, definitely powerful. I’m not familiar enough with your people todistinguish between male or female, but whoever this is, they’re old. When we get back tomorrow, maybe we can have your dad take us hunting.” She shrugged. “Or your mom. Daddy Dearest is a little intense, so I could use some girl time.”
I snorted. “Did he tell you why he was being so fussy?”
