"I know you probably think you can find a technical loophole, Father," she said. "One that will allow you to break your bond." Her eyes narrowed and her voice turned to stone. "Just remember that I only renounced the UnSeelie Throne."
Titania started to speak, but Shaylee shook her head. "If I return to Faerie, it will not be to take the Seelie Throne. It will be because I can no longer ignore the dragon's call. The dragon has promised me a new throne should that happen."
The Erlking growled. "So, you are the same manipulative bitch your mother is."
"Not by a long shot, Father." She smiled. "I'm much, much worse. I like the mortal realm and plan to make it my home. The two of you can keep the land of Fae with all your royal dignity intact. You leave my home alone, and I'll leave yours alone. That sounds more than fair to me." With her last words, she stepped through the gate.
The air snapped and the gate was gone. Totally gone.
From the quick sound of released air, I realized I wasn't the only one who had been holding my breath. I held out my free hand to Shaylee and she took it, grinning.
"Someone has a lot of explaining to do," said Dunwood.
He looked puzzled when we all lost it. Creator, but it felt good to laugh again.
MOST OF THE HUMANS that the Erlking had recruited for the hunt scattered as they came through the gate. I really hoped they all made it to their homes safely. Dunwood called on his radio, which was still strapped to his shoulder, for a car for the remainder of them.
But there was no way we were letting Dunwood go without a thorough debriefing. So, once we made it back to the cabin—it was the closest—to pick up the Jeep that we had left there days ago, he accompanied Jed and me to the local Walmart. We bought out their entire stock of sleeping bags and picked up enough food to last our new guests for the day at least. By the time we returned to the cabin an hour later, Dunwood seemed to be more at himself.
The rest of the refugees from Faerie and my pack had stayed behind to set up housing for themselves. My workshop would serve as a home base for a while, but with seven royal guards, a sister, a leprechaun and a Sheriff to house, even it would be pretty cramped. And the whole one bathroom for nine women and three men didn't even begin to be workable. Unfortunately, my budget wouldn't allow me to foot the bill for a hotel. So sleeping bags were what they got.
We loaded up the workshop’s stove with wood and got a fire going. Luckily, it was turning out to be a pretty warm spring, so the stove should do okay for heat. In fact, I wasn't surprised when everyone chose the farther corners of the room from it. It really could put off some major heat.
Jed and I got Shaylee, the guards, and MacDougal set up in the workshop, then took Dunwood and the rest of my pack into the cabin. We waited until Dunwood had called his office to explain that he wouldn't be there that day and to make arrangements for others to cover for him. Then we spilled the beans.
All of them.
It just didn't make sense to hold back on the whole werewolf thing when the man had just survived being part of the Wild Hunt. Not to mention the fact that he had saved my life and brought me home. Man, I owed him big.
All in all, he took it pretty well. Lily and I even changed for him to show that we were still friendly, even in fur form. My proof was probably more necessary than Lily's. I mean, who ever heard of an evil rabbit, right? Wolves get all the bad press.
Chances were, it would take a while for him to realize just what his new world view really meant, but it would be worth the time to break him in. He would make a great pack member if that should ever work out. I was hoping it would. I really, really liked Dunwood.
In fact, there had been a time not long ago when Dunwood was a contender for my heart. Jed won, of course, but that doesn't mean Dunwood ceased to mean anything to me. It would be nice to have him in my life, too. Platonically, of course, as heaven knows Jed is enough man for any gal.
Lily went with Jed as he drove Dunwood to where he had left his Explorer. For a few minutes, Rose and I just sat there in silence.
Finally, she said. "I know she's a Changeling, but that was a mighty fine thing Shaylee did back there. Giving up all that and saving us to boot."
I smiled. It took a lot for Rose to admit to being wrong. I figured that was as close as I'd ever get, and I was perfectly okay with that. "Yeah, that's my sis in rare form." My smile dimmed a little. We had survived the night, and my pack was safe at home. But I still had an agenda in mind before I gave into my exhaustion.
My real sister was still in Faerie, and no way was I leaving her there. This morning might be my only chance to get her out. Catch the Erlking still sleeping or licking his wounds, and not give Titania a chance to seek vengeance for her spoiled plans. No way would they expect a raid today.
When Jed got back, we went to bed. Well, Rose and Lily went to bed. Jed and I took the couch. The extra closeness felt nice rather than cramped. And for once, his heavy sleeping worked for me.
I took the time to change into my hunting outfit before heading for the outbuilding. It was the closest thing to camouflage that I had in my meager wardrobe.
MacDougal opened one eye when I shook him, then groaned. "If'n ya be about sending me back to face me doom in the Faerie realm, could ya at least have the heart to let me get one more peaceful night's sleep before all the countless years of torture begin?"
I gave him a mad grin. "Sleeping is overrated when there's more fun to be had."
That got his other eye opened too. Steele must have drawn first shift of guard duty because she had met me at the door.
"More fun?” she asked. “Is that even possible after all the fun we've just had?"
I nodded, not taking my eyes off MacDougal. "You said my sister was alive and well in Faerie, and I'm not leaving her behind to face the wrath of the Royal Fae alone. I need you to lead me to her."
Steele's hand grasped my shoulder. "Count me in."
I swallowed but nodded. As much as I'd like to leave her out of this, she'd increase our chances of surviving the mad raid drastically.
"Tis that truly why ye're keeping me from me well deserved and much needed rest?"
"We have to go now," I said. "It's the last thing in the world they would expect."
"Ye've not to go anywhere to get yer sister," MacDougal said, yawning. "It be her standing right beside ye." Then he rolled over and started snoring again.
I turned to face Steele. I'm ashamed to say that it took his words to make me see the resemblance.
Odella Hunt was home.
Chapter 26
I WENT FROM HAVING no sister to having two. A fact for which I will always be eternally grateful. It'll take some work, but then what family doesn't?
Rose and Lily went back to their Gosport house with Maggie and the puppies. Maggie liked it there, and the fenced in backyard was great for her and the pups. Once they were weaned, we'd sort them all out to a more permanent living arrangement. Although I don't think little Benny and Dante would be going anywhere if Lily had her way about it.
Jed surprised me by selling his Greenwood home and buying my family's old house. He called it an early wedding present, which was really a shock seeing as how he hadn't even popped the question yet. Guess he figures he doesn't really have to. Funny thing is, he's right.
Jed, Shaylee, and I moved into the larger house with a sigh of relief. For once, I didn't mind the additional space. In fact, I cherished it. It really helped that it was a home I already loved. Jed did really, really good.
We had invited Steele to live with us. After all, she was part of the family. But she was used to much simpler living quarters. When she told me her former home had been a small tree house, I couldn't contain myself. Now she is living just a few minutes' walking distance from the house in my tree house bolt hole. And loving it. I figure she can always upgrade to an indoor bedroom in the dead of winter. In the meantime, I totally understand the whole bonding with nature and small den thing.
MacDougal surprise
d us all by offering to share his stash of real gold. He used a portion of it to turn the workshop into a barracks of sorts, complete with central heat and air conditioning. And, of course, the all-important bathrooms.
The rest of the guards are staying there, adjusting to life in this realm slowly. Some of them are trying to re-establish contact with their families. Others—especially those who were replaced by changelings—were simply learning everything about our realm for the first time. Eventually, they would go off and live their own lives, but for now, MacDougal was taking care of them and showing them the ropes. For which, he claimed rights to the cabin. Jed and I thought it only fair.
Coyote was not happy that we had brought back the leprechaun with us. Luckily for all of us, the two of them settled it amongst themselves, coming to a truce of sorts. Neither one of them will let the rest of us in on the details, which has me decidedly worried.
All in all, everything is working.
Now all I have to do is plan the wedding. How hard can it be? I mean, a piece of cake, right? Wedding cake at that.
I just don't understand why Lily finds that so funny.
A Note From Belinda
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR reading Sister’s Keepers. I hope you enjoyed it! Please check out my website at BelindaWrites.com for updates on the Benandanti Series. (And for news of my other writing ventures as well.)
If you missed the first book, Finders Keeper, please check it out. It’s available now on Amazon in print and ebook form. The third book, Demon Peepers, will be available shortly. (I promise.)
Also, if you can spare a few minutes, please consider giving my book a review. I'd really appreciate knowing what you thought of it.
BELINDA WHITE
July 2018
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