“Do you know something about this?”
Mom wrung her hands together. “I might.”
Pearl was stunned. “Mom, why didn’t you tell him?”
“Because his mother thought her eldest son was dead.”
Pearl’s eyes widened. “What?”
“I don’t know the whole story, but there was a storm in the south when Phineas was a baby and his older brother Pierre was about seven or eight. Pierre was swept away and they never found his body. It broke the Lafontaines. And the fact that most of what they owned was destroyed, she didn’t even have a picture of him anymore. They were going to tell Phineas when he got older, and then they were murdered.” Mom brushed away tears. “I wasn’t even sure if it was true, and Phineas’ mother Petra made me swear never to tell him. They were fearful of their past catching up to them.”
“Well, it seems like it was true,” Pearl said quietly.
Her heart was aching for the Lafontaine family. She knew that monsters had to hide before the Great Revelation. Even Finn talked about how he had to sort of be hidden and his father had to stayed shifted in his human form for a long time, hiding his long horselike ears. Finn could shift, but as a kid couldn’t hold it for long.
Whereas she and her mother could go through town freely. Although, there was still a bit of danger involving her unicorn form running free in the wrong places during the full moon. There were people, like Mercedes’ family in Tallowfield, who would still do harm to monsters.
Just like what happened to the Lafontaines when they accidentally stayed too long in Tallowfield.
“How is Phineas taking the news?” Mom asked.
“I think skeptically.”
“He’s wary of strangers, for the most part. Although, he took a shine to Margaid right away.”
“I think it’s because this stranger knew his name and he wasn’t introduced.”
“That would make sense. So, you’re going to dinner with Phineas as moral support?” Mom asked.
Pearl nodded. “I am.”
“Well, that’s nice.”
Pearl cocked an eyebrow. “You sound disappointed.”
“I always live in hope?—”
“Mom, I told him how I felt.” The words tumbled out. There was no use hiding it.
Her mom beamed, her eyes twinkling. “That’s wonderful. I’m glad to hear it. He cares for you too.”
Heat flushed in Pearl’s cheeks. “I hope so.”
“I guess I’m on my own, unless Margaid is working late in town, and then I suppose it’s just me and Finn for dinner. I’m relieved you’re going to be there for Phineas. Especially if this gill man is really his brother.”
“I’m glad you understand and don’t let Finn know what’s going on. Not yet. I think this is something that Phineas will want to talk to the others about.”
“Of course. My lips are sealed, but if anything strange happens, I’m only a phone call away. I don’t usually like putting hexes on people, but I will to protect my family and Phineasisfamily.”
Pearl smiled tenderly at her very protective mother. “We could always send Mercedes in to put a curse on him, or at least cause something to explode.”
Mom giggled. “True.”
Chapter
Six
“You seem distracted.”
