Maddy cleared her throat. “He’s actually a double doctor. Both an MD for humans and a registered veterinarian. He’s saved thousands of lives, and although he can be super annoying, he’s beyond decent.”
The fight left my bones then and my shoulders dropped. Of course he was. Next, she would tell me he also had a Nobel Peace Prize.
“You… my mom…” I said finally, the last shred of evidence I had that this guy was bad news. “Youspelledher?”
“Your mom would have had a nervous breakdown had she stayed and watched the show. She also would have drawn the eye of the Fae Lords. I did her a favor,” he said flatly.
Fae Lords. He saidFae Lords.
I reached up and rubbed my temple with my free hand, holding my towel around my body with the other. Okay, push the news of the fae down and worry about that later.
“My mom is safe?”
He nodded. “Call her if you want.” He pulled my phone out of the duffle bag.
Relief rushed through me that this wasn’t a full-on kidnapping, just a minor one where they let you keep your phone. I reached for my phone and he pulled it back, stopping me.
“Don’ttell her about what you are. The Fae Lords take the secrecy of supernaturalsveryseriously,” he said.
These Fae Lords sounded like they were in charge and I didn’t want to piss off anyone.
I squirmed and nodded. Grabbing my phone from him, I walked into the bathroom and turned it on.
Zero missed calls
Three texts.
I pulled up the texts first.
Mom:Miss you already. Have a great camping trip!
I sighed in relief. She seemed the opposite of worried sick, and for that I was grateful.
The next text was from Leah.
Leah:Biatch you went camping without me?! Not cool. I’m pissed. Don’t ever call me again.
Leah:Fine. You’re forgiven, call me ASAP. Did you go with that hot guy from the bar?
I chuckled but the joy was short-lived.
I called my mom and she picked up on the first ring.
“Hey, camper!” She sounded cheery and my throat clogged with emotion.
“Mom…” I tried to keep my feelings in check. She sounded great, totally normal and happy, and I didn’t want to worry her by bursting into tears or anything crazy.
“Did you see any moose?” she asked. “Hopefully, you brought your rifle because I heard the cougars are really prowling this year.”
I sighed in relief that her mind wasn’t messed up or anything. “Yeah I saw a moose,” I lied.
My mom squealed in excitement. “Did it have any babies with it? It’s springtime, so the calves are out.”
We spoke for the next few minutes about my fake camping trip in the Selkirk Mountains and all of the fake animals I was seeing and then she had to go. “See you tomorrow!” she yelled into the phone and hung up.
I ended the call and stared at the phone. The one woman I wanted to share everything with and I couldn’t say anything or some FaeLordswould probably come mess me up.
I called Leah next.
