Page 35 of Enchanted Warrior

Tamsin’s scalp prickled. “He was following the same trail.” She’d known that, but suddenly the fact held fresh significance.

“Yes, he was. And he disappeared in Carlyle, never to be heard from again.”

Tamsin rose to her feet, utterly stunned. “My father died in a car crash! He was on his way home when it happened.”

“Yes, your father died ten years ago.” Waller sounded almost kindly now, all too aware of how their family life had changed. “But there never was a body.”

“Pardon me?”

Waller’s voice sank low, as if trying not to be overheard. “He is unquestionably dead, make no mistake, but the car accident was a, um, piece of theater created for the benefit of his friends and family. Your father was a man who inspired much loyalty among our people. We were better served by putting a final chapter to his story than by entertaining endless conspiracy theories and romance tales.”

Tamsin was stunned. “I don’t believe this!” She remembered the funeral with painful clarity—the ritual, the burial, the guests in their living room, with her mother weeping upstairs where no one could see. “We deserved the truth.”

“Child, the Elders did what was best. There were a lot of brave Shadowring members who would have tried to find your father if they imagined he still lived. We believed they would die just like he did if they charged off to Carlyle in search of explanations. The same thing would happen now, so think about that before you repeat what I just said. I’m taking you into my confidence and expect you to respect my secrets.”

“But...if Carlyle is so dangerous, why did you let me come here?”

He chuckled. “Tamsin, we never expected your inquiries to get far enough to put you in danger. We—the Elders, your mother—we know you’re restless. We thought if you tried to find the books and failed you would find it easier to forget being a loremaster and settle down.”

Tamsin’s mouth dropped open. By letting her take this mission, Waller and the rest had been humoring her!

“You exceeded our expectations.” Waller cleared his throat, as if banishing amusement. “Congratulations are in order.”

Tamsin tried to say something—she knew she was expected to be grateful for his compliment—but words failed. Instead, unease crept over her. There was something intensely wrong with everything Waller was saying.

After a long moment, she managed the one question that bothered her most. “Why are you telling me the truth now? About Dad? About what I’m doing here?” In other words, what sort of a game was the all-powerful Chief Elder playing?

“Child,” Waller said kindly, “never mind all that. You underestimate the danger in Carlyle. Come home and tell us what you’ve found out. We’ll take over from there.”

“No,” Tamsin said, dragging the word out of her parched throat, aware she ran the risk of Waller’s wrath. She’d never live with herself if she gave in. “I’m too close to getting the books, and if I don’t act now, they’ll slip out of our hands.”

“Are you sure?” Greed tinged Waller’s voice. He wanted Merlin’s grimoires—but was that enough for him to gamble on her? “How close?”

“A whisker,” she said. “I just need a bit more time.”

“Bring me the books,” Waller said, the air around the phone turning the color of blood. “The coven will be forever grateful. You have my personal guarantee you’ll be our loremaster. I’ll even make you an Elder.”

Tamsin silently started to cry tears of fright, absolutely certain the Chief Elder had just lied to her. Again.

ChapterThirteen

Tamsin ended the call a half hour later, after Waller had told her what else he knew—which wasn’t much. She sat on the floor and drew her knees up to her chest, as if that would protect her vulnerable core.

She clasped her fingers around the tattoo that bound her wrist, feeling her coven’s presence even though an entire country stretched between her and Shadowring. Had her father, when he had come to Carlyle in search of Merlin’s books, felt the same pull to his family and the sleepy town he called home? More to the point, what had happened to him in Carlyle and why had the Elders lied about it?

In a single swift movement, Tamsin was on her feet before she realized that she had moved.We were better served by putting a final chapter to his story than by entertaining endless conspiracy theories and romance tales.Fury swamped Tamsin, making her close her eyes against a rush of weeping. She’d served the coven all her days, believing the Elders were necessary to govern the power of its members. Maybe that meant giving up some freedoms, but they’d taken too much this time. They’d taken the truth. They’d taken away the chance to avenge her father and give his death meaning.

Why?

She paced the tiny apartment, mind racing. What hostile power had struck down her father? And why was it an automatic death sentence to any Shadowring members who came here? From what she understood, her father had visited before Mordred’s arrival in the mortal realms, so the danger back then was something other than the Prince of Faery. Did Waller even know the answer? Or had she stumbled into something the Elders didn’t want found?

Tamsin sat at the table, a street map before her, when Gawain returned with his brother. The two men were flushed with high spirits. Obviously, Gawain had enjoyed showing off the new world to Beaumains, who now wore faded jeans and a shirt that looked as if it might be Gawain’s. In one hand, Gawain bore a ratty sports bag.

“I gathered my possessions from the place I’ve been staying,” said Gawain. “If Mordred is aware we oppose him, it would be wiser for us to remain together.”

Tamsin glanced at the bag, not sure what to say. He was moving in, which might have been romantic after last night, but he was right about the threat. The bag was long enough for a sword and clinked like chain mail. That Gawain could fit everything he owned into one bundle said much about the life he lived.

She nodded, unable to bring herself to make conversation yet. She was still reeling from Waller’s call. If she started in on that topic, she’d waste precious time ranting.

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