We returned to the library through the kitchen and a short tunnel. I ran my fingers along the stone walls, wondering if there was stone beneath the carpet as well. After striding to his desk to collect his logbook, Soren sank onto one of the soft-looking sofas, gesturing for me to do the same.
I stopped at the edge of the rug, crossed my arms, and remained standing.
Without comment, he sighed. “Shortly before your arrival, I met three humans who I assume were your father and two sisters.” He paused, and when I didn’t argue, he continued. “They entered the Hollow Court less than an hour before you did.”
That matched up with what I knew so far. “And?”
“I was not made aware of the terms of their deal, but...” His eyes softened a bit as he set the logbook on the coffee table in front of him. “Based on who brought them, I’d wager quite a bit that they’d agreed to forever.”
The pit in my stomach grew so large I thought I might throw up. When he’d first said it, I’d convinced myself he was trying to push me toward making the deal.Forever.
“Why would they take someone for life?” I demanded. “That’s insane!”
He shrugged. “They didn’t say. But it did seem as if they’d intended to obtain your entire family. Unfortunately, this is quite common when humans are taken. It prevents anyone from looking into a disappearance too closely.” Opening the logbook, he began to flip through the pages.
I stepped onto the rug involuntarily.
His attention was on finding the right page, so he didn’t notice the way my fingers twitched with the urge to snatch the book out of his hands.
“Ah, here it is,” he murmured. “Reason for entry: Mortal father and daughters in service to undisclosed parties.” Trailing a finger across the page, he slowly lifted his gaze to mine. “They didn’t reveal the final destination, but I have my suspicions about who they’re in service to.”
Fury raced through me, chased quickly by despair. I dropped onto the opposite end of the sofa, defeated. He’d known it was a dead end, but he’d acted like he knew more. I should’ve expected it. Still, another phrase had caught my attention. “Father and... daughters?” My voice came out barely above a whisper. Clearing my throat, I firmed my voice. “But they didn’t take me.”
Soren closed the book with a snap, wrapping a cord around it before lifting his eyes back to mine. With a tilt of his head, he shrugged. “Sometimes even the fae make poorly worded deals. ‘Daughters’ is not very specific, is it?”
I bit my lip.
His eyes studied my face as if he could see the revelation crossing my mind. “It would seem they neglected to ask the exact number of daughters.” Setting the notebook down once more, he angled his body toward me, resting his elbows on his knees. “Let me give you some advice. If they don’t know there are three daughters total and have accepted two, perhaps you should avoid mentioning any relations to the family going forward.”
His implications sank in.
It could be a dangerous connection.
At first, I felt grateful.
But he knows.
I tried to slow my shallow breathing as I studied him. He could use the information against me at any time.
He calmly met my gaze.
While I’d always struggled to mask my wild emotions, his eyes remained calm and unblinking. I couldn’t begin to guess what he was thinking.
I sank back into the couch cushions.
So, he held a secret over me. Once again, it was too late to do anything about it. I’d have to trust that he wouldn’t use it against me until he’d accomplished his own goals. That meant I should be somewhat safe—as much as one could behere, anyway—until our deal ended.
Then I’d have to watch my back.
I returned the conversation back to my family. “You didn’t tell me where they went.”
He shrugged. “We simply mark down those who enter. Unfortunately, if they don’t say where they’re headed, we can’t force the information.”
“Youpromisedto tell me where they went!” I saw red. Clenching my fists so I wouldn’t grab him by that stupid fancy vest, I gritted out, “You’re breaking our deal.”
“No,” he countered, though his dealmaking smirk wasn’t present. “I made it clear from the beginning I didn’t know where they’d been taken.”
My eyes fluttered closed. That was true.
