I excuse myself and head to my bedroom, hoping to find Rowan waiting for me on the footboard. But it’s empty.
Outside, the rain continues to fall, miserable and wet.
“He’s fine,” I mutter to myself. “He was an owl for seven years before we met, and it certainly rained here before I came to town. He knows how to deal with it.”
I shower and get ready for the day, choosing my favorite pair of jeans with a white blouse and brown vest, deciding today calls for comfort. Once I’m finished with my hair and makeup, I leave my room, anxious to return to the tea shop.
But when I step into the kitchen, I discover we’ve replaced one visitor for another.
Ash and my dad talk, looking solemn. My mom’s whisking something in a bowl on the counter, listening intently to their conversation.
The councilman looks over when he notices me hovering. “I’ve spoken with one of my contacts at the Department of Fae Code and Ethics. He said the society will present the case to the magistrate after the inspections are complete. We may request a relocation at the hearing. I was hoping to bypass the inspection nonsense, but apparently, there’s no way to cut through the red tape.”
“It somewhat worked in our favor,” I point out. “Elias would have gladly shut down the tea shop today if he could have.”
Ash nods, but he doesn’t look happy about it. “You’ll have to go to Boston for the ruling.”
“Boston?” Dad asks. “There’s not an office in Vermont?”
“The court office in Massachusetts oversees the entire New England area,” Ash explains. “I’m afraid you’ll have to close the shop for a few days.”
“Maybe Rowan can watch it when we go?” I suggest, though I’m sure he’ll want to attend the hearing.Ifwe can change him back. They probably won’t let an owl in.
“Rowan is currently a bird,” Ash says, exasperated.
Mom gasps softly. “What?”
“It’s fine,” I say, not wanting to go into it. “We’re figuring it out.”
“Where is he?” Dad asks.
“I don’t know. Exactly. Somewhere.”
A knock sounds at the door, filling me with dread.Now what?
Ash follows me into the living room, preparing to leave.
“When do you think the next inspection will be?” I ask him.
“Within the next few days, probably. From what I understand, the society moves quickly.”
“Great.”
There’s another knock, this one more urgent. I force myself across the room and pull open the door, bracing myself for the worst.
“Ansel?” I ask, startled to see the sorcerer on my front step. “What are you doing here?”
“I have an idea.”
“To change Rowan back?” I ask, my mood brightening.
The mage’s green eyes sparkle, his face lit with pure sorcerer chaos. “To separate your fused magic.”
Chapter 20
Should Have Tried a Fire Truck
My spirits fall. “Don’t you think that should wait until Rowan is himself again?”
