Page 39 of Tragic Ink
“I...” I had no idea what to say to any of that, but I forced my back straighter, heartpounding.
“Your gift is incredible,” headded.
No intonation. No clue if that was a good thing or a deathsentence.
“It’s dangerous,” I corrected. “And not something I want becoming publicknowledge.”
“I’ve kept your secret for twenty-two years already. I have no intention of revealing itnow.”
Really?
“Sir, I’d like permission to put Gwen into protective custody,” Rhys said, and my head snappedup.
“Wait. What?” Idemanded.
“I can’t say I disagree,” Elsmed saidslowly.
Rhys lookedrelieved.
“Now just hold on, damn it.” My temper flared. “I’m right here. You don’t have to talk about me like I’m not in the room. Or like I don’t get avote.”
“Unfortunately,” Elsmed went on like I hadn’t spoken, “the police are diverting all of their resources to their ongoinginvestigations.”
“Diverted where?” Rhysasked.
“The Bennett case, for one. Not to mention the ongoing investigation into Aelwyn’s death and the unauthorized portal use we’re still lookinginto.”
“I think it’s pretty clear all these things are connected,” Rhyssaid.
“While that is probably true, between these and a few internal matters, we simply don’t have the manpower to assign an official protective detail at thistime.”
“I have a friend I can call,” Rhyssaid.
Elsmed tilted his head as if listening into the silence, then his eyes lit. “Gargoyles?” he asked, and Rhysnodded.
“I’ll call Everett before we leave,” Rhys said. “He can have two of them here in a couple of hours orless.”
I was a little surprised at how easily Elsmed accepted that Rhys was taking matters into his own hands. Clearly, this wasn’t the first time he and Rhys had worked together. I considered arguing about the protective detail, but knowing there were others watching out for me did make me feel better rightnow.
Elsmed turned to me. “I do recommend you resume your herbalsupplements.”
“My...” The mistletoe and the cedar wood. “You knew aboutthat?”
“I was the one who suggested it,” hesaid.
“But my mother gave those instructions before she sent me here fromFaerie.”
“Exactly.”
My jaw opened. “You were there? When I was senthere?”
“I’ve had an eye on you for a long time, Gwen. You are very special and important to yourpeople.”
My people.He spoke as if they belonged to me. Or I to them. Like I should have felt a connection somehow. But how could I connect with a people I’d never evenmet?
“Funny. I don’t feel very special. Orimportant.”
“That’s because Havenwood Falls is about equality. Blending in. Many of our citizens come here to get off the radar. The ones who are on it don’t particularly like the sort of attention that comes withit.”
