I laughed and glanced toward the door before bringing my gaze to Luna. “I’ll talk to Keegan. We’ll figure out the next step.”
“You will,” she said. “You’ll know what to do.”
And for the first time since the evening had unraveled, I felt like maybe that was true.
Chapter Five
I was in bed with Keegan as his large arm draped across my belly, and the soft sounds of his breathing were nearly lulling me to sleep. But I just couldn't quite get there. Between my mom’s possible move to the dungeon, Gideon leaving, Skonk going with him, and the Shadow tone luring me, it was hard to focus on rest. I was grateful for Luna’s willingness to help, but my mind wouldn't settle, and the sun was already coming up.
Keegan rustled a little bit, and his breathing shifted, so I took the opportunity and slid out from under his arms and went to the bathroom to get ready. As I turned on the shower water, undressed, and stepped in, I heard his voice from the other room.
“One step ahead of you, Maeve.” The sound of his voice created a calmness that I didn't know I needed.
“Oh, yeah?” I rinsed out the shampoo, turned off the shower, and dried off.
“Yup. Stella had the kitchen sprites prepare meals for us while we start our search for Gideon and Skonk.”
His words brought a smile to my lips.
“Who all is we?”
“Stella, Nova, Lady Limora, Twobble, and Luna.” He cleared his throat. “More wanted to come, but they needed to stay behind because they have classes to teach.”
“And all of this was decided while I was at Luna’s shop last night?”
“It's one thing when the Priestess thinks your mom might be trying to help her, but quite another when the Priestess realizes she was wrong and your mom had no intention of helping your grandma. So she moved her to the dungeon.”
“We don't know that for sure.” But I did in my heart.
I dried off, slipped on a pair of pants and an oversized sweater, then stepped back to see Keegan.
His eyes met mine, and I couldn't help but feel the pull to him, and the way his hazel eyes connected with mine made my heart flutter because I knew he'd always be there.
But I had to ask him something that had been worrying me since the woods.
“Keegan, are you going to talk to me about your dad at all?” I stepped closer. “Have you asked your mom about him or anyone? You’ve gone radio silent, and I know something's going through your head.”
His lip curled slightly, and he nodded. “We have more important things to worry about than my dysfunctional family.”
“I get that, but aren't you kind of curious about him leaving and why…and where he’s been?”
“He's a coward.” He shrugged. “That's why he left. What more do I need to know? He plays whatever side suits him.”
My brows lifted in surprise. “Is that what you think?”
His eyes stayed fastened on mine. “It's what I know.”
A knock at the door interrupted, and Keegan went to answer it.
“Rise and shine. We have a geology expedition ahead with a stone and a goblin to find.” Twobble walked in and shoved tea and smooshed muffins into our hands. “Word on the street is that the Priestess is wasting no time, which is why I have two groups of shifters who volunteered in our recovery, as well as a horde of orcs. I thought it would give you ample time to question them on the way about the possible traitors who’ve been working with the Priestess.”
Keegan polished off his muffin in two bites and started on the tea as I stared at my little goblin friend in absolute amazement.
I blinked at him, still holding the tea and the very questionable muffin as the words settled in.
“You gathered shifters and orcs… before I had my tea?” I asked.
Twobble lifted his chin proudly. “Efficiency is a hallmark of my kind. Caleb will head them up with your dad.”
