Page 49 of Shifting Winds
I was beginning to see why he wanted Thalia out of his territory.
“I’m a young woman, and we don’t live in medieval times.”
“It’s not like we have a department store in the fae lands,” Cernunnos said. A heavy sigh bit through the air. “Never mind.” He turned to me. “Lord, I’m entrusting her into your care.”
“I can take care of myself,” Thalia snapped.
“Obey the Lord’s rules,” Cernunnos warned before disappearing in a swirl of emerald and gold magic.
When he was gone, Thalia let out a breath of relief. “Did I really get an apartment or was Dad shitting me?”
Garrett and I both froze. “I’m sorry,” I said slowly. “Did you call Cernunnos Dad?”
Thalia laughed. “I guess he didn’t say a word?”
“Not at all. You being his child changes a few things.” Many things. I wouldn’t change her protection detail because Garrett was the best I had, but I’d have to add a few more wolves onto her security detail. She wouldn’t be able to leave without an escort, adding an additional level to the pain of an ass favor repayment.
“It doesn’t, actually,” Thalia said. “You could let me leave right now, and I’d never say a word.”
“Cernunnos would hunt you to the ends of the earth,” Garrett said.
“I am not without tricks of my own,” Thalia said hotly.
“Regardless, you are under our protection. If you try to escape, we will be forced to hunt you down as well,” I advised her.
Garrett’s eyes flashed gold. “I’ve got your scent, darling,” he drawled. “You won’t be able to run far enough to keep me from catching you.”
Thalia’s heart rate rose sharply.
Garrett’s grin was full of teeth and menace.
Her fingers tightened on her backpack. “Take me to the apartment, please.”
My second gestured for her to walk ahead. Thalia straightened and took a step, abruptly swaying.
A flash of speed and Garrett was behind her, ready to catch her if she fell.
“Roots,” Thalia whispered, the irises of her eyes turning a blinding silver, “Twisting roots buried in skin. Too much power.”
She sagged, her knees going out from under her, but Garrett swept her into his embrace. His eyes met mine. “Take her to the Keep?” His grip on Thalia was possessive, proprietary, and I knew it could become a problem. But Garrett had never been volatile or failed in his duties. In this, I had to trust him.
“No.” Anger burned inside me at how I’d been bamboozled by Cernunnos. “Head to the apartment. I’ll send Simone over.”
“I’ll contact you when she’s settled in.”
Without waiting for a response, Garrett turned and fled through the woods.
I was officially in charge of Cernunnos’s daughter. Other daughter.
I’d be annoyed by the lie by omission regardless, but this one came with serious consequences.
He’d sworn me to secrecy concerning Thalia’s identity. I couldn’t tell Evie without violating the terms of our bargain.
My jaw clenched. I knew I was missing something.
Evie would be furious when she found out.
“Fuck,” I snarled.
