“What do you want from me?” Although catching up with his brother was good, Jared’s fidgeting revealed he was still nervous about something.
“Can’t we just be two brothers catching up?”
“We could if you weren’t looking so nervous.”
“You were always a perceptive one.” Jared shook his finger chidingly. “Yes, there is another thing I’m curious about.”
“What?”
“I know Melcori captured those dryads.”
Xavier threw up his hands. “Does everyone know about that?” It was the worst-kept secret on the planet.
Jared’s smile returned. “He wasn’t exactly subtle.”
“And?”
“I heard they have a male dryad.”
“They do.” He refused to tell Jared about the Green Man lore. He didn’t know this version of his brother. Trust had to be earned, and suspicion had kept him alive in a castle full of murderous mages. He had no plans to change his ways.
“I also heard he was staying with the Moon Pack.”
Damn, if Jared knew where Rance was, how many others did? “That is the rumor.”
“I want you to spy on the Moon Pack and find out what they plan to do with him.”
“As far as I can tell, they plan to keep him safe. I told them to contact me if he wanted to return to his mother. Melcori wants to use him as a bargaining chip to get the dryad leader to behave.”
“What if he doesn’t want to return?” Jared narrowed his eyes at Xavier.
Xavier paused in his explanation; he didn’t want to give too much away. “We’ll deal with that when the time comes. It’s safer for him to stay away for now. The one who helped burn down the Grove doesn’t want him in the new one. She won’t need to make it permanent if he doesn't return.”
“Do you think she’ll try?”
“Maybe? Melcori said she purposely left him in the fire. I’m getting bad vibes about letting him return to the other dryads, but I know he wants to see his mom.”
“You can’t let him be harmed. He’s needed to start the new Grove. If he isn’t there, the jewels won’t transfer.”
Damn.
“You know, don’t you?”
“That he’s a Green Man? Yes. I take it you are also aware?”
“Learned yesterday. I don’t think Melcori knows, or he would’ve insisted I drag him back immediately. How did you find out?”
Jared shrugged. “I used to date a Wiccan. Her mother used to tell her bedtime stories about Green Men and how they took care of the forest.”
“Huh, do you think I could get her to talk to Rance?”
“I doubt it. We broke up, then she broke my nose.” He pointed to a small bump on the bridge. “She had a mean right hook.”
He probably shouldn’t have laughed, but Jared’s smirk showed he didn’t mind.
“Melcori told me you could ask for three tasks. Do you know what you want?” He held up his hand before his brother could speak. “Remember, I’m not a genie. They aren’t wishes.”
Jared’s eyes sparkled. “The first is watching the dryad. I’ll let you know the other two later.”
