“May I?” The blonde asked. Her tone was slightly confused, as if she wanted to sit near Sofia, but she wasn’tquite sure why. But she didn’t even glance at Malcolm. The spell was working.
“I’d be delighted,” Sofia said.
Kitty had smartly arranged herself in the seat next to Sofia, so the woman sat next to Malcolm.
“I’m Caroline,” Sofia said. “What’s your name?”
“Lucy.” Her blue eyes were riveted to Sofia.
Out of the corner of her eye, Sofia saw Malcolm slip the cuff off, then reach up and touch the woman’s temple. He quickly slipped it back on and glanced around. Sofia did as well, but no one looked at them. He’d been quick enough that they hadn’t noticed his power when the cuff was off. It would have felt like electrical tension, or a tickling on the skin, to be near someone as powerful as he for the first time. But they felt nothing, thank fates.
“Lucy, look at me.” Malcolm’s voice was low and commanding.
She looked his way immediately.
“What are you? fae?” he asked.
She nodded and slipped her hand into her hair, drawing it back. A pointed ear showed.
“What sort?”
“Melusine.”
“Water fae?”
“Yes.”
Good. They were powerful, but not overly so. Sofia doubted their new friend would be able to break Malcolm’s enchantment or remember it if he told her not to.
“Are you meeting anyone here?” Malcolm asked.
“Yes. But I’m early.”
“How early?”
“About thirty minutes.”
“Do you know anything about the Salem Coven?” Malcolm’s voice had dropped so low it was nearly a whisper.
“Some.”
“How many are there?”
Lucy’s brow crinkled. “Thirteen, I think.”
“All right. Good. Are any here right now?”
“No,” Lucy said immediately.
“Where do they live?”
“Near the shore. By the park. Halibut point. The land is enchanted so mortals can’t see it. Some Mytheans can’t either. But when I’m in the water, my vision is better.” She shivered. “It’s terrifying.”
“Are there any patterns to their movement? Do they ever leave the house?”
“No pattern that I’ve noticed, but I don’t go close very often.”
“Good. Can you take us there?”