Page 116 of The Stone Secret
My throat tightened, and the dull gray feeling that I’d been smothering rose to the surface because he was right. I didn’t feel safe. Hadn’t felt safe since Ignus had tried to kidnap me, and everything that had happened since had merely been a distraction to hide that truth.
“It’s not about me. It’s about—” I caught myself before mentioning Romi. Varsa wasn’t in the know about that. “It’s about making the elite whole and protecting us all from the graynite alpha.”
“And about getting your brother back,” Varsa said.
It was my turn to freeze. “You know?”
“Willowman talks to me, even though sometimes I’m…away.” He frowned. “But I hear him.”
Away? “What do you mean,away?”
“Sometimes there’s a veil between me and the world. I can see it, but I can’t seem to interact with it. But when you’re here, the veil is gone.”
“Do you know why?”
He shook his head.
“Well, it doesn’t matter why. I’m glad you’re here. I’m glad that we get to hang out.”
Varsa’s smile lit up his weathered face. “I’m glad too, Cameron. Our gardening sessions are the highlights of my week.”
I returned his smile. “Mine too.” The gate creaked, letting Willowman onto the path. “You’re back!”
“Observant little thing, aren’t you?” Willowman said.
There were dark smudges beneath his golden eyes. It was the first time I’d seen him looking worn out.
“Long trip?”
“You have no idea.” He stifled a yawn, gaze flicking over my shoulder. “Hello, Varsa.”
Varsa didn’t reply.
All animation had bled from his features.
My gardening buddy was gone.
* * *
I nursedthe cup of herbal tea in my hands, allowing the warmth to seep into my fingers as I absorbed what Willowman was telling me.
“I’m not sure exactly what kind of fae,” he said, “but the genes are in your blood.”
“You’re sure about this?”
“Positive. My contact doesn’t make mistakes.”
“But my mother never said anything. She was normal. A regular human.”
Willowman yawned and shrugged. “Maybe the attributes skipped her. Maybe your goyle blood activated yours.” He picked up the teapot and topped up his cup. “It’s impossible to know for sure. But this is good news. It explains your strange omega moon episode. It was a sidhe moon.”
“And all the strange…yearnings?”
He gave me half a smile. “The fae are complex and varied creatures. The race of fae you’re related to could have certain…yearnings. My contact suggested Baobhan sidhe.”
“What are those?”
“I’m not an expert, but from what I know, they’re blood drinkers with the ability to sexually beguile their prey.” He winked at me over the rim of his cup. “Not a bad skill to have, if you ask me.”
