“Ah, I think you don’t give yourself enough credit. Weren’t you smarter than the average six-year-old?” Jenna’s gaze caught and held mine.
I swallowed. Memories of my life before my time on all fours were filtering into my mind. “My mom thought something was wrong with me because I read too early, she said.” The painful reminder made me flinch at the harsh words beating at my brain. The feel of my hair being pulled so hard, I was sure it was all going to come out, rushed to the front. “I tried to pretend like I couldn’t do so well, but at six years old, things slipped out.’
The warm hand twining with mine brought me back to the present.
“I have a theory, which I think your father knew as well as your mother. You were not his child, but a product of an affair. Who that affair was with is what I’d like to know.” I looked across the table at Jenna and Talia, seeing knowledge etched on both their features.
“Who do you think it was?” The question came out in a hoarse whisper.
“A Fey. When we healed you, I felt a kinship. Although I believe the man she had an affair with only had a little bit of Fey blood, it was enough that mixed with your shifter blood, it made you more. Something that your mom couldn’t hide. Of course, the fact that you were born with fire engine red hair might have been a red flag. Pun intended.’
Excitement that I might have family out in the world filled me. “Do you know who he was?’
Jenna paused a moment before answering. “No, sweetheart, I don’t. Although if I ever came across him, I’d know in an instant.’
“Maybe if we go back to where I used to live, someone around there will remember a red-haired man, or hell, we can go knocking on all the doors looking for one,” I joked.
Jenna beamed. Her head turned to the Fey. “Are you going with us?’
“I’ll only be a holler away.” Jenna tapped her head.
Slater raised his hand. “If we are looking for a man with red hair.” He pointed at his head.
“He has a point,” Talia said.
“Red hair isn’t that uncommon, you know.’
“You misunderstand. We are talking about bright red hair. LeeLee’s wolf was an extraordinarily red wolf, which should have been a red flag,” Jenna laughed. “I can’t help it. There are just too many puns to be said. I was going to say red herring, but I was sure that might’ve been taking it too far.’
I looked at Slater, seeing the grin on his too-handsome face, and broke into a fit of giggles. The laughter felt good, a release of the stress I’d held inside.
“When do you want to leave?” Slater asked once we’d all sobered up.
“I can get you close to where I believe the home in your memories was,” Jenna said, her even tone made me look closely at her face.
“You don’t think that’s a good idea?’
Shrugging, the Fey turned her face up toward the ceiling. “I am not sure what you will find, or who. I hate the thought of you being disappointed.’
I wanted to tell Jenna there was no greater disappointment than watching your family turn their backs on you as a child, yet I kept my mouth shut. Fate could be a fickle thing, and the very last thing I wanted to do was shake that tree.
“You are a very wise young woman, LeeLee. Very wise indeed.” Jenna reached her hand across the table. A zing of electricity went into me. “Remember, I’m only a holler away.’
Swallowing against the sudden lump in my throat, I nodded. “Let’s do this.’
“I forgot to mention something else.” Jenna looked around uncomfortably.
My hand reached for Slater’s beneath the table. His warmth soothed my frayed nerves. Whatever I heard, we’d face together.
“Go on, tell us,” Slater growled.
“Remember how I told you time moved differently here?” Jenna tapped her finger in a slow beat, drawing our eyes to the spot she pointed at. The old, scarred wood looked hundreds of years old. I nodded.
“Well, when you left your human time, it was Christmas. By my estimates, it’s almost Halloween now.’
Her bald statement had Slater and me gasping. “What the fuck, Jenna. I have a job. What about my family and friends? How about Keanu and Cammie?’
“The healing and getting LeeLee back to her human form took a lot out of me. I apologize, I was not more on point. I’ll have Talia see you out.” Her chair scraped backward.
