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“My grandfather always believed that the forest protected us,” I said.
“Maybe that’s one of the reasons you left London for Pennsylvania,” Sage suggested. “You missed the sanctuary of the forest.”
I wasn’t sure I’d ever truly felt safe. Even when I was too young to know the dangers attached to my existence, I recognized that I was somehow unsafe. That point was driven home time and time again as the loved ones around me were stripped away.
“I did not sense any spirits in the trees during my walk through the woods,” Sian said.
“They’ve long since gone.” Gran sounded regretful. “It’s only the power of the supernaturals in Fairhaven that protect us now.”
I ignored the hunger pains that tormented me. “Do you know the last name of the person you were supposed to meet? Are they the same person that raised your sister?”
“The only name on the forum is whom I believe to be the mother, Sarah, and she is also the one who agreed to meet me with information about my sister.”
My only lead was the name Sarah. Terrific.
“You’re welcome to stay with us while you search for your sister,” Sage offered.
“You’ll have to share a room with Sage,” Gran added. “Quarters are tight in this home.”
Sage swatted her grandmother’s arm. “Don’t be ridiculous. I’ll bunk with you. Sian can have my room.”
“Worth a try,” Gran grumbled.
Sian stretched his arms over his head. “Might I rest my weary bones? The journey to the crossroads has been more arduous than I anticipated.”
Sage pointed him in the direction of the bedroom. Gran took the opportunity to slide into his empty chair.
“He turned up like a lucky clover,” Gran commented.
“Let’s hope we can say the same about his sister,” I shot back.
Gran waved a bony hand. “Fairhaven is a small town. If she’s here, you’ll find her in no time. I’d like to think if I ever went missing, a strapping young man like Sian would tear the world apart to find me.”
“Except Rhiannon likely doesn’t know she’s fae,” I pointed out. And she probably grew up feeling out of place but didn’t know why. I felt a surge of compassion for the young fairy.
Sage’s eyes blazed with light. “Kane would search for you, Lorelei. He would turn the entire town upside down to find you.”
“That’s probably an overstatement.” I wanted to tell Sage that West would do the same for her, but it seemed like a bad idea. I didn’t know the particulars of their relationship, nor whether Sage’s grandmother approved of the match, although I doubted it.
Gran laughed. “We should all be so fortunate to have a demon prince in our corner.”
“You do. Kane would search for any of you. He protects this town as much as the police do. So does West.” I caught the hint of a smile as it passed Sage’s lips.
Gran scoffed. “The pack’s priority is the pack. They wouldn’t get involved unless one of their own was missing.”
I waited to see whether Sage would rise to West’s defense. She didn’t. Instead, she busied herself collecting the empty cups and placing them on the tray. As someone with a lifetime of experience hiding facts and feelings, I recognized the signs of a woman with a secret. It was the small movements that gave her away, the casual avoidance and intent focus on nothing of consequence. Gran struck me as the opposite of her granddaughter. If I dipped into her mind, I had no doubt I’d find a distinct lack of shadows. What you see is what you get with Gran, for better or worse.
“I should head home before it’s pitch dark,” I said. “I’ll be in touch.”
“Thank you, Lorelei,” Sage said. “You’re a credit to the community. Fairhaven is lucky to have you.”
I offered a polite smile, feeling a pang of guilt as I left the cabin. West’s suspicions clearly hadn’t rubbed off on her. If Sage knew what I truly was, she might not feel so fortunate.
CHAPTER 4
Istarted the next day with a quick trip downtown. The main priority was milk, which Nana Pratt managed to spill while trying to surprise me with French toast for breakfast. Although I mourned the loss of a quality breakfast, the absence of milk took precedence since it negatively impacted my consumption of Yorkshire tea. My strong preference was controversial in certain circles. My friend Matilda would rather walk across hot coals than add milk to her tea.
I whooped for joy when I snagged a parking spot right outside Five Beans, the local coffee shop. I debated adding a lottery ticket to my purchases today.
